Beatitude 5: Are We Teaching Our Kids to be Merciful?

Can you define mercy? Mercy is a word we often hear, but I'm not confident that many can explain it. Lots of people confuse it with grace. Grace is unmerited favor. It's a God-given gift that you don't deserve. We named our first kid, Grace Noel. She's a gift from God that we don't deserve. I've committed countless crimes against God, but God, in His amazing grace, saved me and showed me I was a selfish sinner worshiping my success and money. My pursuit of Jesus was shallow for a few years, and I wasn't living life for God's glory. God woke me up, though, and I'm now a trophy of His grace.

So what is mercy? Mercy is about not getting what you do deserve. You've messed up big time, but the person you wronged doesn't smack you for your stupidity. 

Are you familiar with the Parable of the Prodigal Son? Here is the ultimate story of mercy. You have two sons, one who does everything "right" and one who does everything wrong. The younger son disrespectfully demands his share of the estate, and the father lets his sinful son go his way. The son squanders his wealth recklessly, but then realizes he can return to his dad and live a far better life as a servant. When the son returns, the dad doesn't rip into him and reject him for his foolish choices. No, he shows him mercy and is thankful the son has returned home. This doesn't sit well with the older self-righteous brother, who is following all of the rules. Where do you see yourself in this story? Are you like the older son, a judgmental Pharisee, or are you like the younger son who sees his sins and confesses them? Are we like the dad, who represents God, who embraces his son with love and mercy despite all of the dumb decisions he made?

God has provided me with tons of opportunities to show others mercy. I had the privilege of serving as a principal for a decade at two excellent schools, Tianjin International School in China and Evansville Christian School in Southern Indiana. When you're a school principal, especially a middle school principal, it isn't uncommon for kids to come to the office for foolish mistakes they've made. We need to remind ourselves that the scared kid in front of us is created in God's image, and we have an opportunity to show them mercy. Let's be thankful when God won't let us forget about our past blunders and the mercy shown us at times. If the student is truly remorseful for their poor choices, respectful towards us, and willing to make amends for their mistakes, let's show them mercy. The discipline they receive shouldn't be as tough. But if they're an arrogant punk who lies and defends their words and actions, you can give them justice. Provide them with the tough (and loving) discipline they deserve. 

So, how are you doing in displaying mercy to your children? Are you always disciplining your children the same way, no matter how they respond to their fumble? Are you failing to see the giant plank in your own eye when they only have a small speck in their eye? Let's remember the mercy God has shown us and be merciful to others. And let's remember, if you are in Christ, you are blessed and will be merciful.

If you want to better understand the difference between mercy and grace, here is a five-minute video from Paul Tripp.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5:7

Ten Ways We've Trained Up Our Kiddos

Being a good parent can sometimes be HARD! We can be a messy bunch, and our communication is sometimes crazy confusing (Man, I hate sin). Can I get an amen? Being a good parent can also be some of the most rewarding and fulfilling work God ever gives us. Can I get an amen?

It's nice when your children do well in the classroom or succeed in the arts, music, or sports; however, this pales in comparison to when your children obey and worship the Lord. Megan and I have made countless parenting mistakes, but our gracious God has made none. The fact that our three kiddos are walking with the Lord is all God’s grace. This is what we care about the most. 

Although we've made our share of mistakes, we've also done a few things right - Thank you, Jesus! Below are ten ways we have TRAINED our children, which I hope can help you. 

1. We expect our kids to read and study God’s Word independently, and I ask them about what they’re learning from time to time. Scripture saves (1 Timothy 4:16), sustains (Matthew 4:4), and sanctifies (helps us become more like Christ). 

2. We often have family devotions in the evenings. Read more here: The Importance of Family Worship. 

3. We worship together on Sunday mornings and typically talk about the sermons during and/or after the service. I quiz my kids, and Megan reminds me not to forget to enJOY God, church services, and the car ride home. :-)

4. Our kiddos usually attend youth group at our church on Wednesdays and sometimes other church youth groups and trips that we think would be good for them. We need help in training our kids to grow in their faith.

5. Rosalie & Grace Noel were discipled by godly women from our church and were part of all-female small groups at ECS. Again, we need help in training our kids to grow in their faith!

6. My kiddos have spent most of their lives in schools where Truth was taught. We are so thankful for the role TIS & ECS played in their lives.

7. We confess our sins to each other. When daddy messes up, I specifically say what I did wrong, what I plan to improve, and ask for forgiveness. When I'm struggling to think in a Christlike way, I let my family know and ask for their prayers. James 5:16

8. I routinely exhort (strongly encourage and urge) my children when I leave the house. I remind them to give God the glory and enJOY Him (from the Westminster Catechisms). I might also tell them to serve their classmates and do what they can to bless those around them.

9. When we watch movies, listen to music, play sports, etc., we talk about Jesus and what the Bible says. We don't live a dualistic life, separating our faith from everyday matters. We want our children to think and act like Jesus, so we try to look at everything through a gospel lens. 

10. When our children display Christ, we try to praise them for the work God is doing in them. When our children are loving, filled with joy, patient, and bearing other good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), we want our children to know that this is far more important than the academic and athletic achievements they accomplish.  

There you have it. Of course, if we do everything above in our own power and without love, we are nothing but noisy gongs and gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). We have to constantly pray and trust that God will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-8). 

If you would like to share something that has worked for you or have a question about anything I shared, let me know! I would love to hear what God has taught you or help in whatever way I can. To God be the glory! 

Wick's 2019 Highlights

Now that we've been in the States for 3.5 years, it's safe to say that all of us have adjusted to life here. God was, of course, good to us again. Here are past Wickersham highlights: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, & 2018.

January - After using a gift card at a local Mexican restaurant, Megan and I enjoyed our first Cirque du Soleil production (Corteo) in Evansville. The tickets were a Christmas gift I gave Megan.

February - I started taking an online biblical leadership course through biblicaltraining.org. I would enjoy taking Bible classes at a seminary or college again; however, that's not how I feel led to use my time and finances at this stage in my life. Perhaps in the future.

March - Megan and I attended a marriage retreat at our local church, Faith Bible Church. We're thankful our church hosts such events to help people have Christ-Centered marriages.

April -  Josiah Lee played in his first soccer match since the fall of 2016. He didn't want to play organized sports again until I said I would coach him, and now he has the confidence to suit up without dad shouting from the sidelines.

May - Rosalie and I ran in our first 5K together, and she beat me. Although I still have some speed, I have never been much of a runner. I'm trying to change that somewhat.

June - In an effort to get in better shape, I purchased a mountain bike. Occasionally, I ride my bike to work just like in my China days.

July - We took a trip to South Carolina to visit friends Megan went to college with at Wheaton, as well as people we did life with in China. We also stopped in Newnan, Georgia, to visit the LDi corporate office and hang out with old friends.

August - Our good friends, the Scroggins, paid us another summer visit. The previous month, the Strongs and TJ made the trek to Evansville. We love to reconnect with our TIS amigos.

September - Rosalie missed a PK in a soccer match that would have put ECHS up 1-0 (they ended up defeating Tell City 3-1), but she scored the game-winner against Washington's JV squad off a nice free kick. I'm thankful to be able to watch my kiddos contribute on the pitch.

October - Megan and Grace Noel went on the 8th-grade class trip to DC, a trip Rosalie and I went on when she was an 8th grader. Grace Noel got the honor of participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

November - A super cold soccer showcase in Indy allowed us to spend time with our parents and my brother. Grace Noel also competed in a showcase in Cincy, and the two of us, of course, made a stop at Skyline Chili.

December - Before having a fantastic Christmas break with our families in Avon and Frankfort, Indiana, we spend the night in Nashville and attend Zoolumination, the country's largest Chinese lantern festival.

Our First Three Years: A Long-Distance Relationship

Megan and I got married on July 10th, 2004. This was almost three years after our first date at Ruth's Chris Steak House, and a year after I asked Megan to marry me. I wanted to ask Megan to marry me sooner; however, I lacked some spiritual maturity and waited for a summer break to ask Megan's dad for permission to propose to her.

During our first year of courtship, Megan lived in Changchun, China, and I lived near her hometown of Frankfort, Indiana. Megan taught English to university students in a Chinese city of three million, and I taught Western Hemisphere geography to 6th graders in a small Indiana town. Our worlds were just a little bit different.

During the start of our second year as a couple, God brought me a little closer to Megan when I started teaching English at a hakwon on a Christian university campus in Cheonan, South Korea. During this time, Megan and I were able to visit each other a bit more since our flight time went from roughly 22 hours to two hours.

During our year of engagement, I found a sweet social studies job at an outstanding international school in China, and Megan accepted a new position in Beijing. We were now only 1.5 hours apart by train.

Having a long-distance relationship during our first three years together was tough, but it was good in numerous ways. I'm thankful for how God planned it out and wouldn't want it any other way.

1. We got to know each other better via email, messaging, phone calls, and letters. Megan taught me how to be a better listener (I'm still working on this) and how to ask questions (about how she felt).

2. We had a deeper appreciation for the time when we were together. We often were in two vastly different worlds, so when we did get to spend time with each other, it made it that much better.

3. Being apart showed me how much I wanted us to be together. We complement one another. I'm an ISTJ, and she's the exact opposite - ENFP. Where I'm weak, Megan is strong.

4. Most importantly, Megan taught me much about myself and drew me closer to Christ. We read and discussed the same devotional books and memorized the same Bible verses. I had to pray more than ever and apply what God was teaching me. God certainly used Megan to shape me and point me in His direction. To Him be the glory.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22

Megan, the donkey, and I took a pic at the El Sol de Tala Mexican restaurant on the east side of Indy.

Moving From Tianjin to Evansville

In a few weeks, our lives will radically change. The Wickershams will be leaving the Middle Kingdom and moving to Southern Indiana. I've accepted a great position as the middle school assistant principal at Evansville Christian School. We are sad that we're having to say goodbye to the TIS community, but we know this is only temporary for those who believe.

Why the move? We feel led to be closer to our Hoosier family members and desire for our children to better understand where their parents once lived. We're unsure when we'll come back to the country I've called home for 13 years (19 for Megan), but we are confident we have not seen the last of China. China is a part of us, and we have eternity to make some trips back.

Below are three ways you can lift us up during this time of transition.

1. We're lookin' to rent an affordable home near where I'll work.
2. We want to find a gospel-centered church where we can connect with people.
3. Pray that Megan and the kiddos make a friend or two and feel a sense of community.

Xie xie.

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

Igniter Media Easter Videos

This week I have been teaching about what happened 2,000 years ago - Passion Week. Tomorrow we will not have school since it's Good Friday, so today I'll show a few Easter videos from Igniter Media. I highly recommend taking a few minutes and checking out the videos below. He is good.

And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, when he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." Luke 24:5-7

An Easter Message: Facebook Style

Doubt Has Long Been Part of Easter

My Five Most Popular Facebook Pictures in 2015

People like pictures, especially when they contain smiley people - smiley couples, smiley kids, smiley families, lots of smiles. One of my resolutions for 2016 is to work hard on my smile. Below are my most popular Facebook (via Instagram) pictures taken during 2015. Enjoy.

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1

In the spring, we went on a Beijing excursion, and Megan and I took a walk in the hutongs (alleyways).

Earlier this month, Megan and I ate at a nearby Korean restaurant (part of Rose's Gotcha Day celebration).

The Wickershams at the TIS International Day 

Cow Appreciation Day (July 14) with Grandpa & Grandma Downs - Lafayette, Indiana

An 11th Anniversary selfie at Purdue University, where I attended from 91 to 93

Wick's 2015 Highlights

The Father blessed me a great deal in 2015, and below is a little glimpse of those blessings. Here are past Wickersham highlights: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, & 2014.

January - I traveled to Nanjing International School with the TIS Kids' Read team and served as a judge at the competition. It's exciting to see middle schoolers get pumped about books.

February - After years of considering the Kairos course, I finally find the energy to give up some vacation time to participate in it. Definitely worth it.

March - Soccer, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling are all sports I've coached. Now you can add basketball to the list since I served as the assistant coach of the 7th-grade boys' basketball team at TIS.

April - It was announced that I will serve as the TIS girls' high school varsity soccer coach in the spring. This will be my first high school team since 2003. Where does the time go?

May - Megan and I worked at an English Camp in nearby Jixian. It was great to get away from the city and teach English to youngsters.

June - I coached five weeks at the Indy Eleven Youth Soccer Camps, and Rose and Grace joined me for three of those weeks. I'm thankful to have daughters playing on some of the same fields I did as a kid.

July - I professionalized and renewed my Indiana educator's license, so I'm good to teach U.S. history, geography, and sociology in the Hoosier state for at least another ten years.

August - We moved over a gate and to the ninth floor to occupy a beautiful two-story apartment, courtesy of LDi. It was the seventh apartment move in 12 years, but each apartment was an upgrade.

September - My in-laws and nephew from Indiana paid us a visit, and we celebrated Fred's 70th birthday in style at Pizza Bianca.

October - I presented a coaching workshop at the ISC Conference and reconnected with some old friends. It was wonderful that I didn't blow chunks and have the Hershey squirts like last year.

November - I started coaching the under-12 boys' volleyball team at TIS. All of my players are my students, and most of them were on my soccer squad.

December - We hosted a Christmas Eve gathering after singing Christmas carols in the neighborhood. We've done this for a few years now, and it felt extra special this year to be able to open our home.

At One Time, I Never Wanted...

At one time, I never wanted to live in a city.

At one time, I never wanted to live in China.

At one time, I never wanted to have three kids.

At one time, I never wanted a boy.

At one time, I never wanted to be a principal.

At one time, I never wanted to teach His Word.

At one time, I never wanted to preach His Word.

At one time, I never wanted to celebrate the true Creator and Christmas.

Thanks be to Him who changed my heart and my life. Thanks be to Him who showed me what I needed and wanted. Thanks be to Him whose will will be done. Glory to God in the highest.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

My Amazing Four-Year-Old Foosball Player

My four-year-old Josiah has become quite the foosball player. Recently, he has surprisingly defeated a few adults who have agreed to his foosball challenges, and this afternoon, one of Grace's fourth-grade friends became his latest victim. Although Josiah hasn't scored more than two goals against me in a match, he can claim to be ahead of me in a couple of matches. This is something many TIS middle schoolers would like to be able to say. Josiah's foosball skills have surprised me not only because he's a four-year-old who can barely say foosball, but because he competes with only one hand. I don't know why this should surprise me when I've seen so many people with missing limbs do amazing things.

Sometimes I see others stare at Josiah because he's missing his left hand. A couple of days ago, a little kid grabbed Josiah's sleeve and was confused as to why Josiah only had one hand. A little over a week ago, one curious girl asked why Josiah was missing a hand. I'm sure Josiah is having these kinds of experiences much more than I'm aware of, and that he'll continue to face these tests as he gets older. The dad in me wants to protect Josiah from these awkward moments, but I know this is all part of the Father's plan. I'm thankful that our Father's love for Josiah is far greater than my love could ever be. God is good, and His love endures forever. I'm also thankful that Josiah is finding success as a foosball player, and I look forward to the day (not anytime soon) when he starts beating his pops.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15

Ten Things I'm Thankful For

1. I have a job (that I enjoy). Nearly 8 million Americans are unemployed.

2. I have a home (with heat and hot water). Over 500,000 Americans are homeless.

3. I have friends (who pray and laugh with me). Loneliness affects 60 million Americans.

4. I have a family (that supports and loves me). There are 20 million orphans in the world.

5. I have insurance (to help pay for great medical care). 33 million Americans lack insurance.

6. I have a healthy body (which enables me to run and jump). Diarrheal diseases will kill over 2,000 kids today.

7. I have Internet access (to show me what is happening in the world). Billions are excluded from the online domain.

8. I have an education (that gives me access to countless opportunities). 775 million adults are functionally illiterate.

9. I have issues (that show me my weaknesses and how much I need Him). 1/3 of the world's seven billion people claim to follow the Son of Man.

10. I have the love of the Father (giving me purpose and everlasting life). Do you know His love?

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
           

    

Six Deep Questions My Sixth Graders Ask Every Year

I earned my educator's license in 1995, and although I've taught elementary and high school students, most of my teaching experience has been with sixth graders. I really, really like this age group. Why? Sixth graders still have some elementary in them, so they often get easily engaged in the classroom, and they have some critical thinking skills that I can help shape. I also like how sixth graders never get tired of toilet humor. It's the best of both worlds - a year of change and transition that is both challenging and fun.

Every year, my sixth graders ask some enormous questions that most are afraid to ask or don't think to ask. Below are six of those questions. I am so thankful to be in this super important position to tackle hard questions with young people. I ask that you would lift me up as I assist parents in training up their children. It's not something I take lightly, and I need all of the help I can get.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. James 3:1

1. Did God choose us, or do we choose Him?
2. How can Judas be held responsible for betraying the Son of Man if this was part of the Father's plan?
3. What happens to those who never hear about the Son of Man?
4. Why doesn't the Father just force us to love Him?
5. Why doesn't the Son Man end all suffering and come back right now?
6. Why were Adam and Eve created if it was known they would sin?

The Story of the Wickersham Adoptions

For the most part, the post below was written 1.5 years ago by Megan.

Our Father has blessed us with three pretty cool kids, all brought to us by the miracle of adoption. Their stories are different, and yet through each story, we see clearly our Father’s faithfulness and care. 

Our middle child, Grace Noel, was the first to join the Wickersham clan. In September of 2005, Grace was brought to her county’s orphanage as a newborn, and she lived in foster care until the day we traveled to Hubei Province to meet her. Grace was nine months old when we first met her and seemed to have been well cared for by her foster family. She was developmentally on track, emotionally resilient, chubby, and alert. Although Grace was quite reserved in her first few days with us, by the end of our first week together, she was already giggling and wrestling with me. In the following months, she bonded quickly with us, and her transition seemed nearly seamless. Grace is now nine and in the 3^rd grade. She is bright and creative, forever performing skits for her family to watch. She enjoys school and playing outside on her scooter or on rollerblades.

Our oldest daughter, Rosalie, was brought to the Tianjin orphanage when she was just two months old. Not long after, she underwent surgery to repair spinal meningocele. She spent most of her early years in foster care, and then in December of 2006, she joined our family as our own foster daughter. She was four and a half. Because the circumstances of her arrival in our family were unusual, the legal process of the adoption itself was complex and lengthy. Dad truly moved mountains during this period of time, removing obstacles and granting us favor in the hearts and minds of those in positions of influence. He also graciously made a way for her to remain in our care for the entire duration of this process! In May of 2010, when Rose was eight years old, her adoption was completed. Finally, the law reflected what we had felt in our hearts and been experiencing as a family for years; she was our daughter. Rose is now 12 and one of my 6th-grade students. She is fun-loving and hangs out with a diverse group of people. Rose especially enjoys sports and participates in soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Our youngest child, Josiah Lee, joined our family in January of 2012. Josiah spent the first year of his life in an orphanage and was 14 months old when our family traveled to Henan Province to meet him. Although he was a bit out of sorts in our first hours together, it wasn’t long before he began to show his charm! In those early weeks, we saw a boy ready to laugh, entertain, and make friends wherever he went.  He is truly a performer at heart, happiest when he has the attention of an adoring crowd, which he’s found in his two big sisters! He’s been with us for two years now, and it’s impossible to imagine life without him.

Our family has been shaped, blessed, and transformed by adoption. We have certainly been blessed and changed through the gift of our three children, as well as through the responsibility and joy of parenting. Our family has experienced the joy-filled side of adoption. However, it is the loss and pain inherent in each adoption story that has been the place of seeing the good news more clearly. As parents, we are thankful for the way that our children’s stories have caused us to enter into shades of loss and pain that we never experienced in our own childhoods. We are humbled at the way our Father has used us to be a part of His restoration and redemption. Through the gift of these three beautiful children, we have been given countless opportunities to reflect on earthly adoption and its parallels in the spiritual realm, as Christians are all, by his great mercy, adopted children in the family of God.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

2014 Indy Eleven Soccer Camp - Westfield/Grand Park

The Beautiful Game: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

I first began kicking a soccer ball as a seven-year-old when living in São José dos Campos, Brazil. Since that time, the beautiful game has contributed to countless wonderful memories for nearly thirty-five years. It has been a great deal of fun competing against such talented players and teams both as a player and coach. I truly hope to continue to add to those memories for many years to come.

Kicking a ball has also resulted in numerous serious injuries for me - head contusions, sprained ankles, hairline fractures, and torn ligaments and cartilage. I have never played professionally, and I really don't know how professional athletes do it game in and game out. I had a second ACL reconstruction this past summer, and it certainly hasn't always been a rip-roaring time.

Although my right knee feels slightly funky and I've lost the afterburner speed I once had, I'm thankful I can still step on the field (albeit a less competitive one) and make some things happen. I'm thankful that I can make my sixth-grade boys laugh when I whiz a ball by one of them or make third-grade girls clap when I juggle a ball with my head, shoulders, and knees. I look forward to the day when I will be able to do these things without any kind of pain or fear of injury. I look forward to the day when I can play the beautiful game in that brand-spankin' new body playing in that brand-spankin' new home. It's going to be nothing short of awesome.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17

U13 TIS Lady Eagles - Fall 2014 (7 wins, 3 losses, 6 ties)

Wick's 2014 Highlights

It's that time of the year when I reflect on how our Father has blessed me. Here are past Wickersham highlights: 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013

January - On the 21st, we celebrated having Josiah for one year. He has rocked our world.

February - To the surprise of many, I announced that I would not be serving as the middle school principal after June. I am thankful to be able to return to the classroom and be one of Rose's teachers.

March - I started using an iPad at work in preparation for the August rollout for TIS students in grades 3-6. The larger screen enabled me to increase my Hill Climb scores exponentially.

April - A few other TIS educators and I attended a learning innovation symposium at Shekou International School in Shenzhen, China. I gained a better understanding of how iPads can be more than video game devices.

May - I coached Rose and a group of 5th-grade girls en route to winning the ISCOT elementary soccer championship. We are the champions, my friends. And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end. We are the champions.

June - Dr. Klootwyk performed ACL reconstruction and repaired the meniscus in my right knee, 16 years after he performed ACL reconstruction on my left knee. Both injuries are the result of playing the greatest sport in the world, soccer.

July - Megan and I celebrated ten years of marriage. Megan gifted me with some home decor that contained a Martin Luther quote: "Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave." I started crying like a baby.

August - I returned to the classroom after four years of being a middle school principal. To say I enjoy teaching sixth graders the Word and His world is quite the understatement.

September - For the first time in five years, I find myself coaching in some middle school soccer games. To my delight, the majority of the sixth-grade girls, including Rose, came out for the team.

October - Grace played in her first official soccer games, and I got to serve as her coach. Grace went into beast mode, scoring eight goals while helping her third-grade squad to a 3-2 tournament record. I look forward to more fun on the field in the spring.

November - My Lady Eagles squad placed second in the seven-team ISC middle school soccer tournament. The girls busted their butts all season, and we had a great deal of fun. After the soccer season, I added 6th and 7th-grade girls volleyball to my coaching resume.

December - My first semester back in the classroom after a four-year absence comes to a completion. I had a ton of fun and look forward to 2015!

Why I Like Living in Tianjin, China

Yesterday, a Chinese security guard asked me how long I've lived in Tianjin. He was quite surprised when I told him I've been here for more than 11 years. When I tell foreigners this, it's not uncommon for them to remark, "You must like the city." I would actually prefer living in a van down by the Ohio River, not in a city of approximately 12 million people. Despite this, there is much I appreciate about living here, and below are ten of those things.

1. Hanging out with and making new friends
2. Eating street food, especially yang rou chuanr
3. Chinese kids practicing their English skills with me
4. Riding my 100cc motorbike on the mean streets of TJ
5. Coaching my daughters and other young girls in the world's greatest sport
6. Constantly learning new aspects of this ever-changing city and culture
7. Worshipping with people from around the world at our international fellowship
8. Stumbling upon a special Western find that I had no idea was being sold in the city
9. Teaching sixth graders the Good Book and geography at Tianjin International School
10. Living in a nice apartment complex with easy access to huge malls and yummy restaurants

From Principal to Teacher

In a couple of months, I will move across the hallway from my second office to my sixth classroom. Many of my present duties will change as I transition from a middle school principal to a classroom teacher. Although I am excited about the change, there is still much to be done in my present position. Below is some of what the next school year will look like, which I'll give more thought to when the summer hits. I will go from...

1. assigning teachers to spring trip teams to chaperoning the sixth-grade spring trip to Liaoning Province.
2. emceeing major House events to sponsoring House 4 - a mixed group of more than 20 middle school boys and girls who meet once a week and compete against four other Houses.
3. presenting faculty devotionals several times a year to facilitating the middle school team devotionals.
4. providing advisory resources and schedules to advising a small group of sixth-grade students.
5. speaking at middle school assemblies every month to emceeing the assemblies weekly.
6. visiting the cafeteria occasionally to serving lunch duty every Friday.
7. watching middle school athletic events to coaching the middle school girls' soccer squad.

Serving as a principal these past four years has blessed me in numerous ways, and I look forward to seeing what our Father will do in the coming months. I'm blessed to work with such a great team of teachers who understand the great responsibilities we have and the great expectations that are placed on us.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. James 3:1

What Mistakes Did I Make As A Middle School Principal?

As I finish my fourth and final year as a middle school principal (at least for the near future), I've been pondering how God has used me and what I could have done better. If I had a do-over, these are three things I would do differently:

1. Not Respond To Emails So Quickly - If you wait to answer emails, you can often provide better answers, or an answer may not even be needed because the matter gets resolved.

2. Not Accept So Many Unscheduled Meetings - Telling a person that you don't have a minute and scheduling a meeting with that person can enable you to have a better meeting and be more productive.

3. Not Place Work Responsibilities Ahead of Family Time - Who is more important: your colleagues or your family? Too often, we bring our work home when, in many cases, it needs to stay at work. Don't blur the lines.

I made a ton more mistakes than what I mentioned above, and I certainly continue to mess up, but I'm extremely thankful to work in a great community of believers and to have such a patient and gracious family. More importantly, I'm thankful for the merciful Father who never gives up on me, the Spirit who works in me, and for the Son who said, "It is finished."

Is War Ever Justifiable?

John Adams, the second president of the United States, said, "I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy." Do you believe war is ever justifiable? Explain. This was a question we challenged our 115 middle school students with recently, and three groups said war is always unjustifiable, one group said war can be justifiable, and one group gave the pros and cons to both sides. I can understand why the majority of young people would think war could never be justified.

I'm a certified U.S. history teacher who has visited the Independence Hall of Korea, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum, and the War Remnants Museum (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam), so you could say I've educated myself a little about the atrocities of war. To say war can be ugly and horrible is quite the understatement. We are an absolutely sick bunch, but unfortunately, there are times when wars should take place.

I am all for being peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and loving our enemies (Matthew 5:44); however, I'm not going to simply pray for someone who breaks into my home. I'm definitely going to pray, but I'm also going to make war because I have a duty to protect my family. Wickamania will be unleashed, and it ain't gonna be pretty. We have a duty to forcefully protect human life against those who forcefully attempt to harm human life. To take a pacifist route would most likely result in more violence and harm being done. If pacifism were biblical, we should not only get rid of the military but also police officers. Can we say absolute chaos?

The bottom line is the world is filled with sinful people, and sometimes the only way to stop sinful people from killing others is to go to war (e.g., American slave owners, Hitler). God is clearly not against every war. Numerous Bible verses show that the sovereign LORD of hosts (armies) is not a pacifist (e.g., Deuteronomy 20:16-17, 1 Samuel 15:18, Ecclesiastes 3:8). When Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, returns, he will make war (Revelation 19:11-21). We should be constantly praying for wisdom and peace, but we must understand that there will always be conflict until we see the New Heavens and New Earth. Come, Lord Jesus. Come.

Ten Things I'm Looking Forward To As I Return To Teaching

Two days ago, a number of people were quite surprised to hear that I will no longer be serving as the middle school principal at Tianjin International School. The Father has placed on my heart a desire to teach middle school students His Word and the world He has created. In no particular order, below are ten things I look forward to as I return to teaching sixth graders.

1. Performing in skits with students
2. Going on spring trips
3. Creating units and lessons
4. Collaborating with other teachers
5. Assisting students with their schoolwork
6. Using an iPad for instruction
7. Students asking deep questions
8. Biblically integrating content
9. Seeing hearts transformed
10. Having my daughter Rose in my classes