Hearing "No" Really Hurts

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

I think I'm ready to draw a circle around the area the God wants my family to live in the Fall based on a new teaching job. "I think" because just today I got a "No" from another school but more on that later. I woke up last night to go to the bathroom (that happens more and more now that I'm over 40) but checked the clock to see what time it was. I saw an e-mail telling me Pickens County had another school (Liberty High) that needed a Business Teacher (already interviewed at Easley in Pickens County). I've been reading the "Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson and it talks about drawing circles (or praying) around things that God tells you He'll provide. I'm convinced He wants me as a high school teacher (already figured that circle out) but I wasn't confident about where in SC. With that e-mail, I want to start praying a circle around Pickens County as a place to move my family and also become a teacher. Also I sensed God asking me to fast for a little while until He gives me an answer about this. The first day of fasting is always the hardest. And to top it off I got a call from the principal at Easley saying they chose someone else. I didn't fast to get told no to a school position (I felt like I could do that with eating). But I'm reminded that we don't fast as if it will get God to give us something. Look God I'm so spiritual that I fast so bless me with something. We fast to get closer to God and hear from Him more clearly. So as the night draws to a close, God I just need some sleep and then we'll be ready to start circling Pickens County in the morning. 
On Fire for Christ,
Jon

It's About Time

I should have done this a long time ago. Better late than never. It's been almost 4 years since I left full time youth ministry and I sense the wilderness experience is almost over. God shut a major door this week as I received a rejection letter from Pelion High near Lexington, SC. I really wanted that job as it was in a great school district and about the size of North Central but bigger and it was located in a small community. But God's got other plans. I interviewed with Orangeburg County for their Charter School which really excites me because it's new, cutting edge, and smaller. I should hear from them this next week. Friday, May 24 I went to a Teacher Expo in Columbia, SC hoping to get some job prospects and maybe even an offer. The morning started crazy with like 500 of us attacking maybe 30 tables on school districts clamoring for a chance to interview that afternoon. I mapped out my course of schools I wanted to hit first to make the first impression. Table 1 -- they weren't there yet. Table 2 -- they also weren't there yet. Table 3 -- I waited in line for 5 minutes only to find out it was a middle school opening. Table 4 -- They already hired someone. Table 5 (my last one I initially picked) did talk with me but not interviews. I did connect with the principal at Camden High who said one of his business ed. teachers will be on maternity leave to start the school year. So that might be an open door. I left there interviewless but I had a 4 PM interview at Easley High School. My initial thoughts of Easley were impressive at it's a new school. The interview was only going to be for 20 minutes. so 3 hour drive for 20 minutes interview. God crazier things have been done. The interviews were late so I ended up talking to the next interviewee. She asked about my experience and of course I pridefully threw out my 6 months of long-term subbing to which I asked her how long she had taught -- 19 years. Can you say already feeling like this may be a waste of time? But I know that God's in control. Turned out her husband coaches at Clemson and we connected quickly. I ended up getting her number. She teaches at another school in the upstate and if she gets the Easley job she'll refer me for her job. God You are awesome. Also on the way home I saw Trinity Point Church which is where a father-in-law who attends there told me his son-in-law was leaving as youth pastor and wanted me to consider. God these reminders who things You've done for me in the past are just amazing. Also I called the lady who I met whose husband coaches Clemson and asked to pray for her. God it was your timing as she really had a need in regards to her husbands job. God when we just listen to you and trust you things happen. I feel like our family is at the edge of the Promise Land like Joshua and we're looking at the walls of Jericho. We know that God can knock them down but just not sure how. God I know you want me to work in a high school I just don't know where. God show us how to knock down these walls for the next journey of the Parkers. 
On Fire for Christ,
Jon