Back to School Work

I'm writing, but most of it's for Back to School items.  Writing is writing, so, I'm counting it!

August is Here...

Not sure what I will be getting done in August since it's...

I'm excited, too.  Ready to be back working full time.  Can't wait.  Looking forward to what this school year will bring.

Closing Message…

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Thank you so much for praying with me.  I’m expecting this school year to be amazing.  It will have its ups and downs but continue believing God for what we have prayed for this year.  Encourage all those who are a part of the education system, whether they be students, teachers, administrators, or staff.  We all need your continued prayer.

Blessing for 2018-2019.  I’ll see you in class on Tuesday.

This is the year of BRAVO!!!

Let’s close with the song “Bravo” by Ledisi.  We WILL be SAYING BRAVO a lot this year!

Day 26: A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

Your eyes saw me before I was put together. And all the days of my life were written in Your book before any of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for a successful school year.  Let it be a year like no other.  Guide all the educators so that they do their best work.  Lead the administrators so that they do their best work.  Direct the staff so that they do their best work.  Encourage and influence the students so that they do their best work.  Be the Guiding light that they all need to do everything the need to do.  Let this be a year where expectations are met far and beyond what was expected.  Let this year be filled with good success.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you drive by any school(s) take a moment to whisper this prayer as you drive by.  If you don’t drive by any school(s), purposely drive by a school and pray this prayer.

Day 25: A SAFE SCHOOL YEAR!

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

But the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and keep you safe from the devil.  2 Thessalonians 3:3

God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for a safe school year.  Lord, keep our children from all danger seen and unseen.  We cover them with the blood of Jesus.  We ask that You encamp Your angels around them.  Please keep the educators, staff, and administrators safe from all hurt, harm, and danger, seen and unseen.  Be in the school with them.  Lord, and if anyone has a desire to do harm to or at a school, please stop them from doing so.  Let 2018-2019 be a year that we do not hear any horrific stories of school tragedies, on all levels of education.  Let this year be a year of peace.  Lord, let there be no tragedies this school year.  Keep everyone calm, safe, and peaceful.  Thank You.  Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you drive by any school(s) take a moment to whisper this prayer as you drive by.  If you don’t drive by any school(s), purposely drive by a school and pray this prayer.

Day 24: Counselors

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

Do not let yourselves get tired of doing good. If we do not give up, we will get what is coming to us at the right time. Galatians 6:9

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for counselors at all levels of education.  They have a hard job, trying to be fair to students, teachers, and parents.  They must answer to the administrators, as well.  Give them how to work with everyone that they meet daily.  Give them wise words of wisdom that will encourage and benefit everyone they encounter.  Let their energy be boundless, their love be endless, and their temperament be fruitful.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know of a counselor, please take a moment to thank them for the work that they do.  Also, take a moment to pray with them one-on-one.

Day 23: Deans, Associate Deans, & Department Chairs

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well. Proverbs 16:3

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for deans of schools.  We pray that they will be encouraged to continue the work they are doing.  We pray that they will have new ideas that will encourage, inspire, and energize the educators they work with.  Let them meet every goal that they have set for the year.  Let them meet their budget as well.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know of a dean, associate dean, or department chair, please take a moment to thank them for the work that they do.  Also, take a moment to pray with them one-on-one.

Day 22: Staff

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

May the Lord bring good to you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be kind to you. May the Lord show favor toward you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for the staff members at every level of education.  We know that they make schools better with all that they do.  We need them.  Lord, remind us to tell the staff members thank you for their hard work.  Continue to allow them to be diligent at all they do.  Give them a renewed energy to complete their work.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know any staff members, please write them a note of thanks for their work.  Also, pray with them one-on-one.

Day 21: Administrators

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

First of all, I ask you to pray much for all men and to give thanks for them. Pray for kings and all others who are in power over us so we might live quiet God-like lives in peace. It is good when you pray like this. It pleases God Who is the One Who saves.  He wants all people to be saved from the punishment of sin. He wants them to come to know the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for administrators, all including elementary, secondary, and higher education.  Give them a renewed vigor to be better administrators.  Give them new ideas and considerations so that they can inspire, encourage, and aid the people who work with them.  Let them be patient with new teachers, supportive of mid-career teachers, and encouraging to retiring teachers.  Let them be encouraging to the staff.  Lord we pray that they will have an excellent year that produces the desired outcomes they have set for the year.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know of an administrator, please take a moment to thank them for the work that they do.  Also, take a moment to pray with them one-on-one.

Day 20: Full-Time College Professors

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Prayer:

Lord we pray for full-time college professors.  Let them be encouraged to continue teaching the students they encounter.  Let them have a heart for their students.  Help them to remember that they are there to educate, inspire, and edify the students.  Let them mentor younger professors.  We pray that they have established routines, lessons, and habits that are successful.  Give them a renewed energy and excitement to teach.  Let them have good relationships with the deans, the department chairs, and administration.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know a full-time college professor, speak a word of encouragement into their lives.  Also, thank them for their service.

Day 19: Adjunct College Professors

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Titus 2:7-8

Prayer:

Lord we pray for adjunct college professors.  We pray that they will have good success this year.  We pray that wherever their feet trod, that they will be a blessing.  Many of them teach at multiple colleges to make a livable wage, we pray that they have gas money to fill their tanks, lunch money to fill their bellies, and technology to fill their minds.  We pray that they have a heart for their students, so that they can teach them to the best of their abilities.  If they wish to become full-time professors, we pray that You will open of doors for them.  When they become discouraged, we pray that they will have an encounter with former or current students that will encourage them to continue with their teaching.  Let them be able to get the help they need from their deans, department chairs, and administration.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know an adjunct college professor, speak a word of encouragement into their lives.  Also, bless them with some gas or lunch money.

College Professors Are Educators, Too...

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Often, we forget that college professors are educators, too.  They provide education for our students.  It’s on a different level, but they still deal with similar issues that elementary and secondary educators deal with.  Be sure to whisper a word of prayer for them as you pray.

Also, college students still need prayer, even though they are “adults.”  They have issues while in college.  Be sure to whisper a word of prayer for them as well when you pray.

Day 18: Seasoned Teachers

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Prayer:

Lord we pray for seasoned teachers.  They’ve worked a long time educating students.  We pray that You give them a renewed energy and excitement to teach the students.  Let them mentor younger teachers.  Let them continue to be a guide for students.  Give them new insight on how to be an encouragement to all who they meet at their school.  If they are nearing retirement, let them have everything they need to retire.  Give them financial security so that they can retire when they want to do so.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know a seasoned teacher, speak a word of encouragement in their life.  Also, thank them for their years of service.

Day 17: Mid-Career Teachers

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. Deuteronomy 32:2

Prayer:

Lord we pray for teachers who have been teaching for a while.  We pray that they’ve created a system that works for them, and that they continue to grow and evolve to become better teachers.  We pray that they will help teachers who are younger than them in their career.  Give them new insight on how to manage their classes, students, time, and life.  Be a fence around them and shield them from the temptation to be listless and indifferent.  Encourage their hearts to continue teaching with the enthusiasm they began their career with.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know any mid-career teachers, speak a word of encouragement in their lives.  Also, ask if they need anything for their classroom and bless them with it.

Day 16: First Year Teachers

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… Colossians 3:23

Prayer:

Lord we pray for first year teachers.  We ask that You give them wisdom on how to teach their classes.  Give them a heart to love each student, a mind to speak a word of encouragement to each student, a spirit to pray for their students, and the steadfastness to be an advocate for their students despite the obstacles they face.  Bring a mentor into their lives that can help them grow and develop as a teacher.  Help them with difficult parents by giving them understanding, tenderness, and determination to give the parents the best they can give them to help their child.  Lord, let the parents see that the teacher has their child’s best interest in heart, so they can work together.  Give the teachers the patience to deal with difficult students, teachers, staff, administration, and parents.  Give them a heart of love, a tongue of calming truth, a mouth of genuineness, a mind of honesty, hands of tenderness, and ears of attentiveness. Let them know when to speak, when to listen, and when to act.  Be their guide and compass as they navigate the school year.  Let their first year be a year of excellence and success.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know any first-time teachers, speak a word of encouragement in their lives.  Also, ask if they need anything for their classroom and bless them with it.

Day 15: Graduating College Students

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for students who are completing their higher educations.  Their journey has been long, and we pray that it has been fruitful, enjoyable, and thorough.  Give them everything that they need to finish their education and finish strong.  Let them celebrate their success.  Let their friends and families celebrate them as well.  Remind them to complete the work that they have begun when they become frustrated or discouraged during this year.  Let their professors be guides into the world.  Give them job opportunities so that they can become gainfully employed.  Any hinderance they may encounter that will keep them from graduating, give them the knowledge and wisdom on how to navigate these hindrances.  When they’ve graduated, we pray that they are thankful for Your grace, love, and harmony that brought them through their education. Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know of a student graduating from college.  Give them a word of encouragement to help them through their journey.  Take a moment to pray with them one on one for any issue(s) they may be having.

Day 14: College Freshmen

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for young people who are becoming young adults.  This is a moment in their lives when they must grow up and begin to make decisions for themselves.  Lord, remind their parents that they’ve done their job and must let their child become a young adult.  Give their parents peace as they allow their student to go off into the world.  Let the student be eager to learn on a new level.  Open their minds to learn more and dig deeper into the knowledge they will receive.  Let them not get weary when things get hard for them.  give them a determination to push through and concentrate on what they need to learn.  We know having fun is part of the college life but remind them that their education must come first.  Give them professors who will nurture their love of education and guide them to become life-long learners.  Let them have an excellent first year in college. Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know of any college freshmen, give them a hug or a word of encouragement as they begin a new journey in their lives.  If you are able, bless them with a small donation that can go towards something for their first year of college.

Day 13: Twelfth Graders

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for students who are completing their secondary education.  As these students begin their final year in public education, give them an excitement about accomplishing a goal that is worthy to be applauded.  Help them to put forth their best effort.  We know that seniors in high school can become complacent and lethargic from having been in school so many years.  We ask that they don’t get senioritis.  Remind their parents that they must give their seniors room to spread their wings and become adults.  Help each student with any decisions they may have to make regarding college or their future after high school.  Give them a sense of urgency when it comes to applying to college and for scholarships.  Let them not procrastinate in these matters.  Let them be able to meet all the financial demands that they will have as they graduate.  Open of the windows of heaven and let them have an abundance of scholarships and school choices.  In the end Lord, let them make the best decision possible for them.  Let them not be swayed by peer pressure and outside influences.  Let them stay on track.  Give them a year of excellence.  Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you know of any high school seniors, give them a hug or a word of encouragement to complete this school year.  If you are able, bless them with a small donation that can go towards something for their senior year.

Day 12: Ninth Graders

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for students who are growing up to become young people.  As the young people enter a new aspect of their education, we pray that their encounter with secondary education is a good one.  Lord, let them know that they must grow up and begin to take seriously their path in life.  Let their parents nurture them and give them room to grow up freely.  We know these students will make mistakes, but Lord, let the mistakes be as minimal as possible.  Let them learn from their mistakes.  Encourage their hearts and minds to want to learn.  Let them encounter teachers who will help them grow into excellent students who develop a love of life-long learning.  Let them encounter upper classmen that will help them and mentor them as they go through the 9th grade.  Let this first year of high school be an amazing year filled with love, learning, nurturing, and growth. Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you drive by any high school(s) take a moment to whisper this prayer as you drive by.  If you don’t drive by any high school(s), purposely drive by a school and pray this prayer.

Day 11: Pre-Kindergarteners and Kindergarteners

(Cross post from Adventures of an English Professor https://adventuresofprofboone.blogspot.com/)

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Scripture:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

Prayer:

Lord we thank You for young children who are going to school for the first time.  Give this pre-kindergartners and kindergartners an excitement about going to school for the first time.  Let then be ready to go to school and learn.  We pray that their parents will let them go with as little drama as possible.  Lord, let these new learners have excellent teachers who will introduce then to education in a way that it will spark their love of learning, encourage their minds to learn, and create a life-long learner.  We pray that these new learners will learn all that they can and grow as young people.  We pray that their first few weeks of school will go smoothly with as few tears as possible.  We thank You for young mind to nurture. Thank You. Amen.

Go a Step Further:

If you drive by any elementary school(s) or early childhood centers take a moment to whisper this prayer as you drive by.  If you don’t drive by any elementary school(s) or early childhood centers, purposely drive by a school and pray this prayer.