A Season of Gratefulness

With the Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa season upon us and many just celebrating Thanksgiving, it is a season to be grateful.  Across various social media posts, I also see that many are making their transition from this life to the next.  The holiday season is a time to spend with family and friends, but for many it is a somber time.  Those who have lost relatives who are no longer with them are at times sad.  It is indeed a time to be grateful if you are not experiencing these types of losses.  However, God wants us to also be grateful and give thanks when times are not as we would like them to be.

You often times have to reach within yourself to be grateful in the midst of tragedy. You can be a beacon of light to those around you by spreading good cheer.  The Bible declares that in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

How does one get to happy when you are alone and maybe depressed? Think on the good things that God has already done.  Watch some comedy on television.  Go outside and get some sunshine.  Think about things that are going right compared to what could go wrong.  Go shopping and buy yourself something.  Get a makeover.  Go workout.  You would be amazed at what exercising can do for you.  Keep a journal.  Just releasing things off your mind that you don't want to share with others is powerful. Thank God for the people He entrusted you with and be thankful that they have received their reward.

I have lost some relatives and friends along this walk called life.  Sometimes, I have spoken to people who were not trying to stay here.  I think they had gotten a glimpse of Heaven and were excited that their suffering was coming to an end.  I think that I have a good prayer life.  However when a person has decided that they want to go home to be with the Lord, there is not too much that you and I can do.

Next steps, get right with the Lord.  Get in the Word of God.  Encourage others.   Do the work of an Evangelist or whatever God has called you to do.  Get in a good Bible based church where people are getting saved, the Word of God is going forth, the Pastor is not afraid to speak out against sin, there is a strong distinction between right and wrong, and the Spirit of God is working in that place.  

What is Your Purpose?

Now is the time to walk in your purpose.  So many times we go through the routine of this walk called life.  We get up.  We eat breakfast, go to Starbucks, go to work, and then to the gym.  Some of us have to take kids to school and pick them up.  Some of us have to drop kids off at basketball or soccer practice, etc.  We go to church on Sunday, choir rehearsal on Wednesday, Bible Study on Thursday or whatever day we attend.  Then, we start the routine all over again.  Wouldn't it be nice to know that within the course of a day or a week or a year, you are fulfilling the purpose that God has designed for you?

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).  I believe that every human being has a purpose.  I will speak from the Christian perspective because that is the faith that I believe and can witness to.  Every since I was a child, I wanted to be on television.  I would sit in the yard with my newspaper in hand.  After playing newswoman for awhile, I would take out my sack lunch and eat it. My desk was an upside down cardboard box.  I thought that's what people in the news did.  I kept the fire burning in high school and did everything that was available to me to aid in my becoming a news reporter.  I took typing for two years because I knew that I had to type to be a reporter.  I think we had a school newspaper and I may have written an article or two for it.

When I attended college, I came in with a declared major of broadcast journalism and did not change it.  I worked part-time in the office of the Dean of the Department of Journalism.  I worked at the school radio station trying to get that experience to add to my resume. I also was a member of the yearbook staff.  I may have pinned and article or two for the school newspaper.  When the call came in to the Department of Journalism from a News Director looking for an assignments editor, I asked the Dean if we had to post it.  He said, "yes."  I told him this is my job.  He says "How are you going to work here and there and go to school." I told him that I could do it.  We posted the job.  I applied for the job and got the part-time job.  It was a struggle to work two jobs, go to school and try to be President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  I knew that journalism jobs were rare at times.  Anyway, God did allow me to remain in broadcast journalism with radio, magazine and newspaper experience along the way for about 13 years.  After I finished doing what I wanted to do or what He allowed me to do, He asked me to "Teach the Children."  Even before He asked me this, I had attempted to volunteer with a local youth organization and was turned down as a volunteer.  Who turns down volunteers anyway?  I just knew I needed to be doing something more.  Understand that I was already a member of the church.  I was going to Sunday School.  I had been in the choir until the Pastor placed me in the sound room.  I attended Tuesday night Bible Study.  I was working all over the place, but God wanted me in one area.  I appreciate that.

After talking with my Pastor at the time and receiving instructions on how to hear from God, I heard God speak audibly.  Don't let people tell you that God doesn't speak audibly.  He speaks to people in different ways and through different means especially his Word.   He said "Sandra Hamer" "Sandra Hamer," Teach the children.  I was asleep when He called me.  I knew it was God.  Who else could it be? For God speaketh once, and twice man perceiveth it not. Job 33:14 Here is the link where God speaks

He showed me pictures in vivid color of children of all nationalities.  The next day someone who I use to work for in college called the television station to get my phone number.  They gave me his number.  He asked me if I would volunteer to be on their board of directors for a children's after-school program.  I volunteered on the board.  Later, I ran the summer camp for a year or two.  After I left the station which was orchestrated by God,  I decided to finish my book and then teach.   A lot of other stuff went on in the middle like helping to start Young Filmmakers Foundation of Memphis.  I also taught Sunday School for awhile.  Understand that people will fight you when you attempt to do God's will, but you just need a willing heart and a spirit of obedience.  We pray that wherever you are placed in a church the Pastor gets on program and releases you to where God wants you to be.  If he doesn't, don't worry about it.  You probably need to learn more of the Word and be more committed.  You must not get discouraged.  You might get moved somewhere else, but God's plan for your life will prevail.  Some churches have a lot of talent and everybody can't do everything.  There are just so many gifted people, but your gift will make room for you somewhere (Proverbs 18:16).  "And He gave some apostles; some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers," Ephesians 4:11 Gifting of the Church.

I thank God for those who were a part of the plan in ushering me where I needed to be.  I have had conversations with bosses who I know were following instructions from the Master.  God has a master plan for you.  Get in prayer and build a relationship with Him and watch God work.  The Bible says, I know the plans that I have for you, plans of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).   I pray that God will walk with you as you walk with Him.

Finding A Good Church Home

I was recently talking with a young lady at work.  I actually overheard her talking with someone about why she hadn't joined a church.  She was recent without a Pastor since that one had passed.  Since I know her, I asked what church was she attending.  She told me the name of the church which I was familiar with.  She said it was too big.  I asked how many members.  She said about 500.  Since I attend a megachurch, I didn't think that was too big.  She said that she had a relative that goes there, but she was still scared to join.

I didn't ask her why she was scared to join because I know other single women who sort of bounce from church to church or don't go to church at all.  A lot of people are at the point where they want to go in, get a word and go home.  They don't want to get to know people in the church because they fear how they may be treated and it is just safe not to be in a clique. I know from whence I speak having been single for a long time and now married.  I thank God for being married because I have a covering.  Some of the things that people try with single people, they are not going to try with married people.  There are married women who attend church and their husband does not and at times they are privy to church politics. However, I would assume that people respect them.

When I was single, I grew up in a church where my grandmother was a member.  Later, My Uncle Willie Lee took us to church and it was safe. The Pastor was respectful and that's where I stayed until I graduated from high school and came to college.  Sometimes we visited other churches for programs and I felt respected.  In college, I started out going to the Baptist Student Union which was cool, but I wanted to attend a church.  I went to Prescott Baptist across the street and that was not really where I wanted to be.  It was small, but I needed something more.  Then, I went to Olivet Baptist right down the street from the University of Memphis and stayed there until I was directed to go to Temple of Deliverance and that's where I am now.

In my 54 years, I have seen and experienced a lot which I will not disclose here. Some people have cool or cordial relationships with their Pastors and they don't mind getting the relationship hookup, but for the majority of people, that's something that they want to do on their own.  Pastors need to respect that because the Bible says "And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them." (Exodus 2:25)  A lot of people stay at home and watch a TV ministry or online.  I did that for about a year as an adult and didn't miss a beat.  I sent my tithes in and everything was cool.  I believed that if Jesus came back at that time I would have gone with Him as well. Of course, I told her that my church was cool, but she says that the church is too big.  I pray that God will lead her and others where to join.  Sometimes people sit at a church for a few years until they feel comfortable.

Pray Without Ceasing

Pray in this Manner

You need a prayer life.  Some of you may say that I have a prayer life.  You need to pray in the Holy Ghost.  We need all the help that we can get down here.  People have been saying for years that Jesus is coming back soon.  I believe that to be true.  I also believe that we are closer than we may believe.  It seems that events are taking strange turns.  I was impressed and proud when we elected our first African-American President Barack Obama.  I actually worked on his campaign in the first term.  I supported him with my vote the second term, but I was too busy trying to finish my doctorate to work on the second campaign. Then after he left office, we elected someone who never had any political experience.  I like many others thought he was not really serious about running for  President. That should give people hope that God can do anything. Sometimes, God allows certain people to be elevated to power so that people can depend on Him more and pray.  He did that with Israel when they desired a king. I really don't know God's thoughts because the Bible says our thoughts are not His thoughts neither our ways His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).   I do know that there is a big difference in the moral projected beliefs of some Republicans and Democrats. I say projected because it is what we see in the media. Most Republicans are conservative and against abortion and same-sex marriage.  God is against abortion because one of the Ten Commandments states that "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13).  Many Democrats are liberal and some promote various lifestyles that God does not endorse.  Yes, many have lifestyles that are not pleasing to God, but they belong to God and God called them to make a change.  Many times, you can't tell people about something that you have not lived or been through.  I believe that God allows a lot of people who are going to promote change to get in office. Once, you get there you must stay focused. I am not big on spending money on a wall.  I had to question the building of a wall. Drugs have been coming into our country for decades.  Why are they primarily coming to America?  Is it because our borders are unsecured?  Yes, people have an appetite for these drugs after the introduction, but if you don't have the supply you will have to kick the habit.  Some topics are really above my spiritual and political pay grade.  Why can't Democrats fight for a fetus just as much as Republicans?  Aren't there conservative Democrats out there?  God is looking for a change.  I know many people who I suspect are lesbian or gay.  I just pray for them.  I can't tell people what to do.  I am not perfect.  I have been in sin before. It's not a place that you want to stay in.  I know that when we leave this earth we will see God whether everyone believes in Him or not.  Our life will have already been judged.  I ask you.  Is your eternal resting place worth you trying to fit in or stay in?  One thing I do know about many who are gay or lesbian. They basically mind their own business.  I cannot say this about some others.  So, we all have some work to do. I believe that I can speak on this since I am called to teach and just because I am not teaching in a church setting don't mean that I have to be quiet.  I have people who try to throw my past up in my face or in the spirit because I can discern that.  My answer to them:  Can you bring up something that's not 20 to 30 years old because all of that is forgiven? These sexual issues are big topics for politics and God.  I believe Republicans get a lot of traction because of their moral compass.  I can say that I voted Republican once at age 18 for Ronald Reagan.  I didn't have anyone in my ear telling me who to vote for since I was new to voting in Memphis.  That was my first time voting.  Since then, I have voted Democrat, but I wish that our politicians would not be so liberal.  Why don't all Republicans want all Americans to have affordable or free health care?  Why is the President trying to take money from the Pell Grant program that put me and millions of others through college for free? Why are we trying to throw immigrants out who are running from corrupt and dangerous environments? Then, we got the nerve to say their relatives can't come over here just the upper class.  Unbelievable! We need new people running for office that have standards, want change, and desire to help all Americans.  We don't need people trying to find ways to keep people poor or exclude them.  Then, we try to pass laws that silence those who are called to tell it and tell it like it is.

The Truth About School Climate and Student Achievement

How does the school climate affect student achievement?  You might be surprised at some of the findings. Across the country, scores of principals are replaced on a yearly basis because their schools are not performing.  I am sure the majority of these individuals would like to keep their jobs.  It indeed does take a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to run a school.  Many principals are promoted to other positions because of their ability to effectively run a school.

Principals are placed at schools at different times during the school year, but the majority of principals start a new year with their school. Most start at the end of May or the first week of June.  It is important to note that there are many factors that cause principals to be ineffective.  Some have to deal with the situation that they are placed in.  Others deal with the leadership style of the principal.  One would have to agree that community support and involvement at a school will indeed help a school to become effective.  How can a principal come in hitting the ground running and be truly effective?  Principals must participate in shared leadership of running the school.  In most cases, many of the staff members in the school have just as much experience as the principal.  This would lead one to believe that they have plenty of knowledge regarding student achievement.  Therefore, principals usually have their most effective teachers as teacher leaders if the teacher is willing to serve.

There are so many components to school effectiveness.  An astute principal will survey a school staff at the start of the year thus identifying strengths, weaknesses, and relationships of the staff.  Of course, no one is asking a principal to hand over leadership to their teachers.  However, the perception of shared leadership is a great motivator for teachers and a segway for improved student achievement.  We do live in a world where many of the teachers being managed are working on educational leadership degrees.  However, priorities do change for some teachers and that may no longer be the case.  That teacher is still a vital resource of knowledge in various areas and is a part of the climate created at the school.  School climate is best described as the atmosphere created in the school. How does the teacher feel coming to work?  How do students feel about attending school?  How do parents feel about visiting the school? School climate is also tricky.  A principal sometimes will not always know when the school climate is an issue because they are no longer a teacher.  That is why education organizations, the government, and others constantly survey leadership, teachers, students, and parents.

School leaders take a look at my dissertation below to gain more insight into teacher perceptions in school and how it relates to student achievement. Consider some school climate initiatives to make the school environment more conducive to student learning.  Most importantly, involve those in the surrounding community with your school.  You might be surprised at how effective it will be.



An Analysis of the Relationship Between Teacher Perception of Community Support and Involvement in Their Schools and Students Rates of Attendance, Graduation, and Academic Proficiency