Melissa and I have just completed day 4 of 21 on our sugar fast. Melissa is a little concerned over her blood pressure climbing. We’re hoping that is just a side effect of this early stage and that it will pass soon. As for me, I am pleasantly surprised at how few cravings I have for candy and sweets. Even better, it seems like my appetite overall has decreased. I am eating a very similar breakfast each morning – two fried eggs – and have no trouble waiting until lunch to eat again. I just don’t have a desire to…

 “The opposite of belonging is fitting in.” – Brené Brown I don’t think much has changed about junior high social dynamics in the 4 decades since I was there as a student. The pressure to like the same music and wear the same clothes is immense. Some kids seem to have grown tired of attempts to fit in and have simply checked out socially and now keep their distance.  As a teacher, I find myself wondering how many of my students have even one place in their lives where they feel they truly belong. A place where their personal oddities are…

 Recently I have been pondering the difference between “thinking” and “knowing”. It seems to me they are quite different in degree.  For years I have tried to break my writing students of the habit of including “I think” at the beginning of a sentence expressing an opinion because those two words become redundant when you go on to state what is obviously an opinion. No need to write “I think Wonder Woman 1984 was a terrible movie.” Just have a little confidence and state flatly, “Wonder Woman 1984 was a terrible movie.” The difference between “I think” and “I know”…

 On Monday, I start a new job at my old school. I left 8 and a half years ago.  Before, I taught 10th grade English. Now, I will teach 8th.  Teaching, especially in the States and especially in the age of Covid, is a complex task requiring a wide range of skills: instructional skills, of course, but also interpersonal, psychological, and technological skills.  In the past, my fear of failure in one or more of these areas would render me indecisive and fearful, often on a daily basis. The night before the first day of classes, in particular, was guaranteed…

 If you’re convinced that upon meeting Jesus face to face you would more likely be greeted with a pointed criticism than with a compliment, it is worth noting that even though Nathanael got such a positive reception from Jesus, he did not go on to be one of the “major players” in the gospel narratives. On the other hand, the guy Jesus once called “Satan”, Simon Peter, starred not only in key gospel moments (both in positive and negative ways), but became instrumental in establishing Christ’s church on this earth. No matter what kind of character we have when we…

 As Nathanael approaches Him, Jesus sums up his character with these words: “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” I keep thinking about this and I have to wonder: If I had the chance to meet Jesus in the flesh but part of the deal was that He would sum up my character in a single sentence, would I do it?  Would you? Remember, this is the One who knows you inside and out. He knows your heart and He knows all the hidden things. Does your gut say that His pronouncement would be complimentary?    …

 On Monday, January 11th, I will be stepping back into the classroom after over 6 months of sabbatical. (I started calling it that because “sabbatical” has a much more pleasant connotation than “unemployment”.  And Melissa refused to let me call it “early retirement”.) I am rested and ready to go.  I am grateful to return to Hauser Jr. High School to teach 8th grade English. This is where I taught sophomore English for five years before my family and I moved to Haiti in 2013. It’s a great school with a very caring faculty, staff, and administration.  I must admit…

 John 1:47-49 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel.” We always hear that first impressions are incredibly important. Many claim that a job interview is decided in the first 30 seconds. Why? Because humans start judging others immediately (especially if we anticipate an ongoing relationship of some…