The Battleground of the Mind

by Dr. Jannie L. Rogers

Since the mind is the place the devil uses for a battleground, that is where the Lord wants His people to build a strong fortress. The enemy knows that the body cannot function properly without the mind. The mind has to be in tune with the body for the body to work correctly. Peter said, ìWherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:13). Our minds play a great part in whatever we are dealing with. It has been stated that if a person thinks he is sick, his body will work hard to bring to pass that which he thinks. Charles Capps said in his book, God’s Creative Power, ìPeople that have an image of being in poor health will talk about poor health. Even though they may be in good health, they seem to live out the reality of the image they have of themselves even unto death.î That is the reason for getting the mind healed so that the rest of the body will come into the conformity of God’s Word. God’s Word has supernatural power if people would take its supernatural medicine as they have been taught to take natural medicine; the Word would create a healthy mind. ìFor we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). The doctors are not just competing against flesh and blood, but an un-seen intangible entity. The power in God’s Word is stronger than anything that we could name in this world. The Word of God is what was used to place the world in the universe. Mankind has never experienced the full power in God’s Word. The Word has to be used according to the directions. The men who penned the Bible gave us those directions as to how the Word should be taken. Joshua pre-scribed, ìThis book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Joshua 1:8). David said, ìBut his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Psalm 1:2). The Lord wants His people to eat his Word: ìOh taste and see that the Lord is goodÖî(Psalm 34:8). If we expect for the medicine of God’s Word to work, it must be taken according to directions.

DR. JANNIE L. ROGERS is a retired teacher from Daytona State College who taught a GED course to female inmates at the Volusia County Correctional facility. As a Pastor she has dedicated her life learning about Jesus and teaching others about the value of His Word.

The Transportation U-Turn

by Joan Singley Schrysen

It started in April, 2017 when then Superintendent Tom Russell appeared at DeLand High School. Mitch Moyer had been the much respected principal there for 20 years and expected to serve there until his retirement. Russell had different ideas. “I’m going to move you. I need you in the Transportation Department.” Mitch knew he would be a new guy going into turmoil not really one per-son’s fault. He prayed, “Lord, You know what’s there, the history and spirits of contention,” yet he had peace knowing that God does miraculous things. Transportation is a great unknown to most educa-tors. Like so many, Mitch knew they delivered the students in the morning and picked them up in the after-noon. But it’s much more than that—very intricate, very complicated. There are four terminals, over 500 employees, and over 200 bus routes. It is said to take five years to fully understand all the nuances. Mitch feels he was set up for success by having three new assistant di-rectors. He knew the focus needed to be on the people who worked there, so each day as the drivers gather in the lounge before or after their runs, Mitch is there, too. “I just go back and sit and listen and talk and laugh and connect.” To further enhance communication Mitch puts out a phone message every Friday evening, an update of the week. Like a life coach, he includes Christian principles such as how to treat one another or how to pursue greatness in life. The messages are well received; many report gathering the whole family to listen. “Work should be fun,” Mitch says, so he builds that into the routine. At the be-ginning of the year when all 500 employees gather for a day of in-service, a team picture is taken. Mitch keeps this picture on his phone and tells people, “Each morning when I pray, I lift the whole department to the Lord.” At the end of the year there is a celebration. Last year’s theme was the Blues Brothers, and there were skits and costumes and lots of fun. The biggest challenge of this job? “To elevate the people in the roles and services we play, both in the eyes of the schools and the public.” To do this, Mitch has taken to Twitter. He tweets what is going on and highlights employees. Each month four are chosen by the leadership team for special recognition: two bus drivers, one at-tendant, and one from the support staff. Commenting on Transportation’s abrupt u-turn, Mitch says, “We changed so much in such a short time. That’s not usually the right thing to do, but it was so ready. So we did it!” Always aware of the Lord’s part in all this, he adds, “I know that what I ac-complish, what people see, all takes place in the quietness of prayer.”

MITCH MOYER and his wife Beth have been married 41 years and have a grown son and daughter. Born in Pittsburgh, PA his family moved to DeLand in the early ‘60’s, so Mitch is a product of the Volusia schools.

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