Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace
How Sweet the Sound
That Saved a Wretch Like Me

I am always moved by the words of this song of praise to our Lord, Jesus.
When I consider the substitutionary death of Jesus, I am amazed that God would do such a thing for his deeply flawed and rebellious children.

On July 17th, 1996, I received Christ as my Savior. I was baptised by immersion several years later as an act of obedience to God and an outward symbol of my faith. The Lord has been faithful to me, granting to me many blessings. When I chose teaching as my profession, I did not think of it as my calling, but through a decade of teaching, I now know that He has placed me in a position to serve as salt and light to those with whom I work.
After surviving a cardiac arrest in my classroom while teaching, I learned a lot. I learned first and foremost that He has further plans for me. I also gained a deeper understanding of the value of family. My wife and kids are so important to me. My most vivid memory of August 31st, 2005 was waking in the ER and seeing my wife. Other than our wedding day, I was never happier to see her. Of course, when I saw my two daughters the next day, I was happy to the point of tears. The outpouring of love from my family and my in-laws was special. My dad flew in to be with me, an act that just made me love him more. My father- and mother-in-law came to spend several weeks with us to help with the girls and provide moral support for myself and their daughter. I freely state that I am blessed with terrific in-laws, including both parents and siblings.
Finally, I further appreciate the witness that I can be for my students. While I am not blatant and in their faces about my faith, I do my best to live out my faith in class, demonstrating honesty, fairness, and compassion. The Lord gave me a sense of humor to use as a teaching tool. I am extremely honored that He gives my the opportunity to go to work each day and to have fun with my students who teach me as much as I do them. It is always my intent to be the same man in the classroom or in the community that I am in church. Thanks to the teaching of Brother Phillip Smith and the associate pastors at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, I have a deeper understanding of the role that I play in Gods plan for His people.

Thank you God for your Amazing Grace!