The Power of Your Words How God Can Bless Your Life Through The Words You Speak by Robert Morris

by Peromnia Grant

Robert Morris is an author and pastor who has published bestselling books, From Dream to Destiny and The Blessed Life. He is focused in God’s Word and this is evident in how and what he writes. "In The Power of Your Words, Morris gives incredible insight on how your words can affect you and the people around you for better or for worse,” says acclaimed author Lisa Bevere. I have read many books on the power of the tongue but not one as practical and applicable as this one. This book forces you to examine yourself and your words. The most enlightening chapter was the “Ten Deadly Sins of the Tongue.” Morris exposes the symptoms of a sick tongue and provides scripture to back every point he has made. “For by words you will be justified, and by words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:37). Telling the untruth; stirring up division; passing along false information; and speaking curses instead of blessings are just a few of the symptoms of a sick tongue. We are often careless about the words we use not knowing the events we have set in motion. Morris is gifted in sharing his revelation on the spoken word and how it affects not only the present but also how it impacts the future. He also discusses how our words affect others, how they are used to build or tear down, and how words encourage or discourage. He goes on to share practical steps to change the way you talk. He shares this truth in a way that is easy to understand and implement. James Robinson, Founder and President of Life Outreach International, summarizes the book beautifully, “It’s time for the church to be held accountable for the events we have set in motion with our words. Morris encourages us to use wisdom before speaking.”

Children’s Song: Adults’ Treasure

by Joan Singley Schrysen

Alice in Wonderland, Tales of Narnia, Huckleberry Finn—many books originally written for children are treasured by adults. The same is true of hymns: “Away in the Manger”; “Jesus Loves Me”; “Onward Christian Soldiers.” “Onward Christian Soldiers???” Yes! The year was 1864. In the little town of Horbury Bridge in Yorkshire, a newly ordained minister, Sabine Baring-Gould wanted special music for the children of his first parish to sing during the approaching festival of Whitmonday. On that day the children of each parish marched to neighboring towns carrying a cross and banners, singing as they went. Finding nothing suitable, Baring-Gould worked late into the night composing “Onward Christian Soldiers” for the children to sing. Arthur Sullivan, of Gilbert and Sullivan fame wrote the music. Baring-Gould went on to become a prolific author writing on a wide variety of subjects: history, biography, travel, theology, fiction, and poetry. But he is best known for his simple children’s hymn. Over the years “Onward Christian Soldiers” has been translated into many languages. On Sunday, May 22, 1910, during a world Sunday School convention, it was sung in more than one hundred languages and dialects in Sunday Schools throughout the world. Why do adults treasure children’s stories and hymns? Perhaps our Lord hinted at the answer when he admonished his followers to have a child’s kind of faith. (Luke 18:16-17) So the next time you sing “Onward Christian Soldiers,” remember the little children of Victorian England, marching from town to town during the great festival of Whitmonday carrying their cross and banners singing lustily, “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before! Christ the royal Master, leads against the foe; Forward into battle, see His banner go!” Reprinted from Waves May 2000

Marian Tomblin, Local Historian and Author

by Debbie Keith

Marian Strong Tomblin spent most of her childhood in Ormond Beach and graduated from Seabreeze High. She then attended Brenau Women’s College near Atlanta. After college she met and married Brooks Tomblin. They eventually happily settled on a farm in Maryland with their three children. When the eldest, Elizabeth, was in second grade, the Tomblin family moved to Florida. Unfortunately, there were no adorable farm animals with which Elizabeth could play. Fortunately, this fact opened the door to a career in writing for Marian. Little Elizabeth loved Nancy Drew stories—Elizabeth’s mother loved Elizabeth, so Marian Tomblin wrote her first novel: The Mystery at Hotel Ormond, to help her daughter acclimate herself in Volusia County. The Ormond Hotel was real. The mystery in 1927 was real. And eight year-old Elizabeth, in the story and in real life, fell in love with her mother‘s home town. The book was printed when Governor Jeb Bush declared a mandate promoting literacy in every Florida city. Marian’s mystery became Ormond Beach’s “One Book, One Community’s” 2004 book choice! It has since been taught, along with three other of her novels, in over 25 central Florida schools. A script for a dramatic production of the book was created, and the play has been performed in numerous schools including Seabreeze, Atlantic, and Holly Hill. Curiously, while writing The Mystery. . ., Marian also penned her second book called Manatee Moon. She admitted she was inspired by a very strange dream of the Halifax River. This mystery captures the imagination of the young readers and touches on science while educating them of the plight of the odd “mermaids of the sea.” In addition, the following of Marian’s books helps engage the students into finding fascinating facts about their home state: Fly-In Fox Tales, Where’s Capone’s Cash?, Endangered, and Matanzas High-History Haunts its Hallways. Each excites the reader to seek answers and read more. Through the multi-media adventure program, Hidden History, Florida, teachers capture students’ attention regarding our state’s past! Encompassing reading and writing standards into the 4th grade social studies curriculum, this program includes STEM, ELA and SS standards. Marian presents Florida’s history as a narrative through 15-minute video segments and a 36-page adventure book. Readers go back in time with a professor and, once again, a young girl named Elizabeth. Students experience Florida’s past, learn about the present, and they all have fun in the process.

On Marian Tomblin’s website, mariantomblin.com, you will find a wealth of information featuring resources and opportunities for classroom teachers. Marian attends Oasis Church, and is a member of a Tuesday morning book and prayer group.

An Ancient Formula for the Modern World

by Carolyn Burhans

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV)

While the tone of Micah 6 may sound judgmental, it is also instructional and a call to repent. Micah is presenting the Lord’s case against Israel following an extensive period of time in which He demonstrated kindness and mercy while the people took things for granted and did not express thankfulness. It seems the second great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself was not being followed. Most likely some whining and complaining was going on, too. So what is the relevance of Micah 6:8 for us today? Where do we begin to identify the trials and tribulations of our 2019 world? One wonders how much longer God will be patient with the social divisions so evident in our lives. The polarization, prejudice, and violence must bring tears of sadness to our Lord. How might repenting and changing our ways look in today’s society? It always helps to begin with prayer; a prayer where we seek forgiveness for any indiscretion committed to benefit ourselves. Have I stopped speaking to my neighbor or a friend because of divergent political views? Was all of the information on the table when I formed that business partnership or was something concealed? After church, did I reach out to the new person in attendance or did I choose to hang out with my friends? What would have been a Micah 6:8 way to handle these situations? The next step is to take action that is consistent with the Christian mindset. To “act justly” means that we engage in living truthfully, without hyperbole, and aligned with the biblical standard of righteousness. It’s who we are when no one is looking. To “love mercy” is to reveal God to those around you. Loving mercy by showing kindness to someone does not mean that we accept an injustice. Rather, mercy is what we show in the face of insults, disappointment, rejection or neglect. Mercy is also what we hope to receive when we inflict similar actions upon others. Lastly, to “walk humbly” with God involves acknowledging God as the creator of all things, including us! God is the great respecter of the lives he makes and we should value each life as he does. Everything I am and all that I have originate from God, not me. Walking humbly with God makes it much easier to act justly and to love mercy. As a Christian, it is a privilege to demonstrate to a confused world what it looks like to fulfill the meaning of Micah 6:8. We all need to be that Christian!

Teaching is a Waiting Game

by Pam Hicks

Recently I have become aware of the necessity of waiting on God in any faithful walk with the Lord. Because these waiting periods are used by God to build perseverance, character, and faith, they are not easy to endure. Like a farmer that plants, waters and prunes, a teacher spends long hours planning, teaching, encouraging, challenging, assessing, and remediating her students, waiting to see enlightenment or growth produced. When the end of the term comes, she is often still staring at the same bare ground she has been tilling for ten months; rarely does she ever get to see any immediate results, let alone the full result, of her labors. Her teaching is a waiting game. Many of the Bible characters had to play the same waiting game: Abraham had to believe God for years for just one child on God’s promise that his descendants would be too numerous to count. Elijah had to wait with his head between his knees for a long while before even a wisp of cloud appeared, though God had promised a deluge. The disciples had to wait for many days in an upper room for the Spirit to come on them. Despite the results we see, our job as Christians is to wait on God for His results in His time. Like Elijah, we may often feel we are God’s only prophet left in the public schools. Like Abraham, we may feel we are too old to see any of the results we hoped for. Like the disciples, we may feel hopeless, scared, and alone while we wait. But we must not rely on what we can see now. Our minds have been transformed and renewed by God’s truth, and we know that our labors for Him are not in vain. Our faith is in what we do not yet see--in God’s promises. God assures us in Philippians that our anxious thoughts must be replaced with faithful prayer, prayer that includes thanksgiving because we are so convinced of God’s power and truth we can expect His results. And with that faithful waiting in prayer comes His peace, beyond all understanding of this world. Educators of God, have faith. Enjoy the peace of God as you work and wait and pray in hopeful expectation for His results.

Pam Hicks, a graduate of Baylor University, began teaching in Texas before homeschooling her five children. For the past 14 years, she has taught English at Deltona High School, serving for 8 years as sponsor of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Pam is the wife of Dr. Bill Hicks, pastor of Four Towns Community Church in Deltona. They are proud grandparents of six, with two more on the way. 

Don’t Give Up

by D’Lorah Butts-Lucas

“And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain and prayed unto the Lord. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times and the child opened his eyes.” (2 Kings 4:32-35) The Shunammite of 2 Kings 4:8-37 had great faith. She had been blessed with a child even in her husband’s old age. The child died yet she had faith that God could revive the child and He did just that. You may have a dream that you feel is dead. As a matter of fact, you know it is dead. Perhaps it is a promise from God that you have given up on, or a scripture that once gave you hope that you now have lost confidence in. Have the faith like the Shunammite woman and seek desperately after God to revive them, to revive you. Even as this child was brought back to life, so too can your dream and hope in God’s promises be revived. Learn a lesson from this woman; don’t be distracted by those who don’t understand your faith and don’t ever give up on your promise.

D’Lorah Butts-Lucas is a former district administrator who is now an attorney providing corporate counsel for churches and non-profits. She is also a business owner and has a heart for global missions.

Living Waters through the Years

by Carolyn Burhans

Inspiration, vision and determination are elements necessary to birth new concepts. An organization of Christian physicians inspired Joan Schrysen’s vision of a similar group for Christian educators. Interestingly, naysayers – those who proclaimed the absence of Christian influence in public schools – fueled her determination. In April, 1994 Joan called a few committed Christian teachers to discuss her idea and Living Waters was born. Ginger Aspy, Jackie Brinkerhoff, Bettyanne Edson and Gladys Murphy agreed to become a part of this vision of Christian educators in community. They began to hold monthly meetings open to all who wanted to attend. They committed to pray for each other and for all who worked in the local schools. The motto “From the boardroom to the lunchroom, from preschool to the university” emphasized the importance of inclusivity. Since its inception, Living Waters has evolved to meet the needs of educators. When it became evident that monthly meetings were not feasible timewise for most teachers, the Board agreed to meet for a monthly Time of Prayer for the schools and those with special prayer needs. Prayer has always been the heart of Living Waters. Board members covenant to continue these prayers individually throughout the month, and letters are sent to those for whom they pray. In recent years Debbie Keith, the Prayer Chair, enhanced the prayer list by enlisting contacts in various schools to relay prayer requests from their colleagues. In keeping with the emphasis on prayer, the Board members study books about prayer and discuss them at the beginning of each Time of Prayer. Most recently, they read Priscilla Shirer’s Fervent and are now reading Anne Graham Lotz’ The Daniel Prayer. When the Board changed the focus of the monthly meetings, they also added a quarterly newsletter to inspire, encourage, and support Christian educators in their daily walk. Jackie Sommerlad named it Waves and the first issue came out in March,, 1996. The Board strives to keep each issue informative, yet small enough to read in one sitting. Teacher time demands have always been a consideration. Today, Waves reaches approximately 750 recipients, and efforts are progressing on an electronic delivery option. As Joan retired from the presidency in 2018, she gave thanks for the Lord’s enhancement of her vision and for all the committed people who have made the dream a reality.

Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer

Priscilla Shirer, noted author, actress, and inspirational speaker, has published this valuable book inspired by the movie, War Room, in which she starred. “This book is just not meant for pretty reading,” she states. ”It’s not for coffee-table curiosity and other such cameo appearances. Think of it instead as industrial grade survival gear.” Shirer’s premise is that we Christians are in constant warfare with our arch enemy, Satan, but our lethal weapon against him is prayer. Sounds simple, but effective prayer, the kind we need to combat the enemy, is much more than just a few words when we’re in some kind of trouble. It is serious, specific, and strategic prayer. She divides the book into ten chapters or “strategies,” dealing with various aspects and vulnerabilities of the Christian’s life common to all, namely: passion, focus, identity, family, past, fears, purity, pressures, hurts, and relationships--the ones that Satan loves to get at. She gives practical, specific ways one can deal with Satan’s attacks in one’s prayer life using many well-chosen scriptures to emphasize the strategies. One of the most practical aspects of the book is the inclusion of pages for personal note taking and tear-out prayer cards with which the reader can write out their prayers as reminders. Shirer’s lively, yet intimate writing style makes the reader feel she is sitting in the room with you imparting her own experiences, showing how you might find help in your spiritual journey while dealing with the obstacles we all face along the way. In addition to using the book in one’s personal study, it is ideal for group study. As the subtitle implies, the book is directed to women, but the strategies can apply to any Christian. Reviewed by Connie Pryce

It’s Hard to Learn on an Empty Stomach

by Joan Singley Schrysen

Food insecurity plagues one out of every ten Florida households. Studies show that hungry children have impaired learning skills and increased behavioral and emotional problems. Once Forough Hosseini, local businesswoman and philanthropist, learned of the prevalence of hungry children in the Volusia County schools, she set to work crafting a plan to break this cycle of hunger for local students. Working collaboratively with social services and other groups, Mrs. Hosseini’s public charity Food Brings Hope created the afterschool TeenZone to nurture at-risk middle and high school students in body, mind, and spirit. Tutoring, enrichment activities, a nourishing evening meal, and achievement incentives spur students to academic success and enhance their access to higher education. Starting in 2007 at just one middle school, the program blossomed and soon spawned a KidsZone program for elementary students. Last year the two programs served over 1400 students in 24 schools. As the programs spread from one school to another, each site made adaptations to meet its needs. Pierson in rural Volusia County has a large migrant population with all its unique problems. Through Food Brings Hope, the Barbara Bush Family Literacy Program meets three days a week from 4 to 7 pm to break the cycle of intergenerational illiteracy. Parents learn English and reading skills beside their children, and all enjoy a nourishing evening meal. Established in 2016, this family literacy program has experienced enormous growth. Through collaboration with Daytona State College, parents now have the opportunity to explore GED and Adult Education Programs. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy highlighted Food Brings Hope during the 17th Celebration of Reading event showcasing the program at Pierson. Over the years additional programs and refinements have been added to the core program. Families depending on the free school lunch program suffer increased food insecurity on weekends and vacations. Several years ago Food Brings Hope added the Weekend Feed-a-Family program. At the end of the week each family collects enough food to feed a family of four for the weekend. Another initiative is the HOPE (Helping Others Prosper through Education) Project. There is a significant number of unaccompanied homeless high school students in Volusia County. HOPE provides a safe place for them to live. Meals, mentoring, transportation and other services allow them to graduate from high school. For the future, Food Brings Hope set lofty goals. VCan2020 stands for Volusia County CAN wipe out youth hunger and homelessness by 2020. Hopefully Volusia can be the first county in the United States to be homeless-less. To learn more about Food Brings Hope, visit www.foodbringshope.org. 

Learning for a Lifetime

by Dr. Tureka Louis

In education, our most valuable skills are effective assessment and data interpretation. We teach, test mastery, interpret data, then do it again. In the classroom, the most effective educators use these skills expertly to bridge gaps between what a student knows and what he or she needs to know to be successful. We can use these skills beyond academia to create an optimal living environment that connects us to others and helps us to live our best lives. Here are a few tips to help us excel in life’s assessments:

Pay attention. When we assess, we are checking for mastery of what has been taught. To learn what is taught, we have to pay attention. Embrace the habit of being a constantly observant learner. Look for what life is trying to teach you in obscure places. Always remember the best teachers are good students, and our own students can provide us with a wealth of information if we listen. Example: Are you in a situation you’ve been in before? What is the lesson life is trying to teach you? If you don’t know, ask…prayer and meditation work. Take notes. Don’t just let life pass you by, take notes. Pretend every hidden lesson in every moment is going to be “on the test.” What might you do differently? Live every moment like it is the most important moment of your life. Then you won’t waste a single one. Example: Journal your reflections each night. Take notes in meetings. Don’t let important things pass you by without paying attention. Study and review. Remember to reflect on what you’ve learned throughout each day. It will make you a better student in life. Example: Take a moment to meditate and reflect on your day. Your journals or your notes can be quite helpful here. How will you apply what you’ve learned? What worked and what will you do differently tomorrow? Review and properly interpret the data. After you are assessed, take a moment to look at your grade. Make sure you interpret it properly. Example: Evaluate your relationships. Everyone who doesn’t like you isn’t right about you. HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean that everything they say is wrong either. What is your truth? What can you learn? 

Being a lifelong learner is about finding the lessons in unusual places and applying them masterfully with love. 

Dr. Tureka Louis is an educator of more than 13 years. She has worked with the Department of Defense, the State of Georgia, and several Fortune 500 businesses. She is currently a math intervention teacher at Campbell Middle School in Daytona Beach, FL.