psalm 62 / prayer

Psalm 62 v.7-8
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Lord, rock, hope, fortress, glory, refuge, salvation,

Help us to trust in you at all times,

When we are overwhelmed, battered by anxiety

We pour out our hearts before you – our hope comes from you.

We pour out our hearts for all the countries of the world where there is poverty, famine, misery where there is no hope or justice. We pray for our brothers and sisters serving other in countries. May they feel hope when they are attacked and stumble – Lord God, you are our rock and you shall not be shaken. We include or own country in this prayer and we pour out our hearts for those who are homeless, jobless, abused, hopeless.

Lord, in your refuge we pour out our hearts for those who we know who are ill and those who are suffering.

By your grace may they find your hope.

We pray for the upcoming election and all those involved. Lord, give us the courage to stand up for our faith and our rights and not be cowed by what others may think of us.

We pour out our hearts for our communities, our neighbours, our work colleagues, our friends and families – we ask that they would one day know you as their rock and salvation.

Finally,
Give us hearts for one another, that we would support each other, and reminding each other of the joy of salvation that is alive and in the world today.

We pray for our students studying for exams and as they life out their lives at school, college and university.

In our lives help us to trust in the Lord, our hope and our salvation.

Crumbs

So I feel like I've been fumbling about in the dark recently. Sort of lost spiritual direction. Going to church tonight was a good idea. Looking at Mark 7 I could really relate to the image of a dog looking for crumbs under the table. I ravenously ate up these 'crumbs' - some scripture here, some teaching there - and now I remember how good they taste I have a bit more spiritual direction in my life. Love the word, read, write and observe. Miracles can happen, people. If we really want it, we can get it.

Also chatting to a friend about seeing God in the natural world. It's beautiful out there and there are still some Romantics at heart that recognise the wonder of creation. This happened to tie in with that Romans 1 passage. Through prayer and petition I will be emboldened to live and speak for Jesus in my life. As I said, miracles can happen.

SM

Faith the size of a mustard seed

Ever given a little and got a lot?
Prayed a little, got a lot?
Had faith a little, got a lot?
God gives grace and it is BIG. All we need is a little faith - even the size of a mustard seed (or smaller!) - and God can work MIRICLES.

Fo sho do.

BELIEVE.

aagh, a 'poem' for January

Identity.

Morality.

Society.

History.

Culture.

wyse & jones: play time

1.)
a picture of Stephen Fry. If you are feeling vexed or stressed, just look at his lovely big face.

2.)

Quote of the day:

It is far too simplistic to imagine that play is something that only happens pre-school, or only during the early years of primary. The reality is that play is a vitally important aspect of literacy at all levels, including for adults. Professional writers understand this: novelists, dramatists and poets are regularly praised for their ability to play with language... playing with words is a creative act and it teaches us a great deal about the language and its structure.

3.)

I'm thinking of getting back into poetry.

Enjoy the snow everyone!!

Steve

Haworth / Turner: Lesson plans

1.)
An epic picture of Bleeding Through. 'Sister Charlatan' is keeping my sanity atm.

2.)

No one yet has produced the perfect, all-purpose lesson plan that suits everyone. And thank goodness for that. Planning is something that has important idiosyncratic aspects to it, because we usually do it ourselves and the plans will, to a greater or lesser extent, express something of our professional individuality. However, there are some essential features, namely:

clear learning objectives

clear teaching objectives and strategies

a sequence of lesson activities (what the teacher will do, what the students will do)

use of variety: pace, activity, learning styles, teaching styles, resources

a rationale for the sequence that connects with understandings of the ways pupils learn

consideration of resources, materials and technolgy

planned assessment and monitoring opportunities

a chance for students to reflect on their learning

a record of homework set

reminders / 'memos' of teacher activities

considered and reflective lesson plan evaluation

hmmm.

It would seem that I have a long way to go.

S.

Words on teaching

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY!!!!!

2 teaching/teacher blogs I have found particularly interesting & refreshing at this particular time of things: 'Mildly Melancholy', 'Learn Me Good'. Thank you.

In terms of the teaching I feel that I am making progress; I am surviving day by day but also learning and learning from my mistakes as humbly as I can. Thank you.

Thanks to all my pedagogue pals for the love and support given to me thus far; the kindly emails, the trips to the pub and comforting stories of struggle, reward and hope. Thank you.

Much love to my brothers and sisters who are aware of my present struggles. Your love, kindness and prayers are, and will always be, greatly, greatly appreciated. Thank you.

This will be all for now. S.