What a high calling we have as teachers. What a great responsibility we have as well. As we come to the end of another year, it is always a good reminder to think about the responsibility we have as God’s ministers.

When droughts are common, any small spark can ignite a catastrophe. Once during a long Texas drought an acquaintance of mine was hauling his farm trailer. A simple chain dragged the asphalt and sent sparks flying. The result was a dark haze over our town, and snow in the summer. I recall being in the swimming pool with my little ones and what looked like snow began falling around us. We would later find out that this was a forest fire, and the snow was fallout. It all began with a spark.

We all need good examples, and Jesus certainly tops all lists. His example of joy-filled work is inspiring. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus went to the cross joyfully. He saw the benefits of our salvation and because of that, he laid down his life. No one took it from him, he willingly and joyfully laid it down (John 10:18). That begs the question to his followers: do we have joy in what we do? Every day we ought to get up thankful for the opportunity to serve our King in this Christian environment, but it is easy to get discouraged.

One key emphasis of Northpoint’s mission is to share the gospel. Not only do we hope to influence the next generation, but we also hope they will put their trust in God. How can we do that effectively? It becomes extremely tricky when we consider how so many of our students have built up a tolerance to the often-repeated gospel.

Are we united? As a distinctly Christian School, do you believe you understand the mission and the purpose? Recently I had coffee with an alumni who shared his high school experiences (many years ago, back when I was teaching high school). Today this person is a practicing Christian devoted to faith. While he loved the years he spent with us, one thing said caused me to ponder the concept of unity. He felt that at times the faculty did not appear fully united on the mission of the school. Some of that is natural and should be expected.

Live long enough and they call you. I received one this week. A phone call from a former student. You receive them too, no doubt. The joy of Christian Education is that your former students remind you of how God used you in their life. “You challenged me to read the Bible holistically” or, “I really began to question my faith, and as a result became a believer.” Those are the best. The resurrection of Christ makes Christian Education a powerful ministry.

I once heard a pastor ask this question: “What shade tree are you planting so that someone else can enjoy it?” If you think about massive trees, they live forever, and they take a lifetime to grow. The first home I lived in was right off of Tulane road on a street called Normandy Drive in Horn Lake, MS. If you go by that home today, there are two massive Red Oak trees sitting in the front yard. My father planted those in 1976.

What makes Christian Education distinct? This question has been posed at Northpoint for as long as I can remember (and I remember SBEC). On my first day of new teacher orientation in August 2001, six of us new teachers were led into the church conference room to watch a video tape of then Broadway pastor Bobby Moore. I remember Brother Bobby telling us via this VHS videotape that our school was not Christian in name only. In fact, I believe he illustrated it with something akin to salt and pepper.

Are you in a trial, being tested, or yielding to a temptation? It helps to know the difference, and going from one to the other can be subtle. Years ago a sitting US President came to Desoto County. Northpoint students had worked on the campaign, and the local director graciously gave out coveted floor tickets (versus seats up in the stands). That meant everyone would get to stand close to the action. Somehow I ended up standing in the center, just feet from the podium where the President would speak.

Jack Whittaker worked his way up from poverty to owning a West Virginia contracting company. At the company's height, Jack was bringing in 15 million in annual contracts. On Christmas day 2002 Jack made a decision that would alter the course of his life. The decision is one that so many of us have perhaps dreamed of making. Jack bought a lottery ticket and won 314.9 million dollars. What seemed like a dream quickly became a nightmare.

Have you ever been privy to a revival? Before you answer that you may want to think about the meaning of revival. When I was young our church had “revivals” yearly. A nice person would come and preach, and we may have had some powdered blue suits sing specials. To my knowledge, revival was nothing more than a scheduled religious meeting.

Have you ever been lost? I fondly recall a time when Amanda and I decided to hike a trail at a nearby state park. The whole venture was to take 45 minutes, and at the end of the trail we were supposed to come out at the park gift shop. Hours later we knew we were lost. Amanda’s first solution was to simply go back the way we came. That sounded great until we realized that the fall foliage covering the ground made the trail hard to distinguish. As the sun was setting we knew we had a problem.

I have a friend who is a director for a hospice service. Once he was telling me how bereaved people can become bitter with friends, churches, and caregivers. The root of bitterness comes after the funeral. Often the bereaved person feels abandoned. No one means to abandon them, it simply happens. The funeral is full of food, love, and support. Everyone is there saying things such as, “If there’s anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.”

When I taught seminary I led the preaching classes. One lecture attempted to relate Aristotle’s three aspects of rhetoric to preaching. In the Greek-speaking world there was something called logos (the word and message of the speaker), pathos (the speaker's passion when speaking) and ethos (the speaker's personal life).

Where do your former teachers go when it is all said and done? We’ve been told that all dogs go to heaven, but what about teachers? I think I’ve found the answer.

My third grade teacher always loved getting to page 100 in our textbooks. She would tell us that it meant we had accomplished something, and we were in the proverbial middle. I can’t see page 100 today without thinking of her. We are at page 100. First semester is over, and we have the second half to go. As we ponder where we’ve been, it’s good to review where we are going.

I have a dear missionary family that has consistently modeled Christ. Years ago while serving in a small town in Mexico they discovered a family that was overwhelmed. The local family already had several children. When the next child was born they simply put her in the corner of the room.

I have a dear friend who is the epitome of self-discipline. He literally never breaks his restrictive diet. It’s eggs and hamburger patties almost every day, for every meal. He fasts and only eats a few hours a day. Days like Christmas and Thanksgiving mean nothing. He likes his restrictive menu. He’s not looking for a cheat day so he can eat ice cream. Give that man fajita meat and some eggs and he’s good.

My favorite class in all of High School was French. My uncle told me to take Spanish because I would use that language in my locale, but when you looked at Spanish class it just didn’t compare. Francis McGuffie made an entire year of French a learning “experience.” We made French Talk Show videos (I was a French Arsenio Hall), had a beignet party, played soccer (because back then Mississippi didn’t have that in schools…and it was considered a European “French” football sport), and celebrated Mardi Gras.

I fondly remember our wedding day. It is special to be able to walk into the sanctuary today and recall where Amanda and I said our vows. After the ceremony as we walked to the back I will never forget our first words. Amanda looked at me and said, “Do you feel any different?” In the emotion of the event I guess we expected some huge change once we said “I do.”