Top Ten Things You Should Never Say to a Student

Top Ten Things You Should Never Say to a Student

10. Well they let me out of prison last week, so I guess I’m qualified to talk to you about judicial law.

9. If you don’t stop throwing things in my class, I’m going to throw you out the window of the fifth floor.

8. How would you like it, if I chewed gum and left it under your books and papers?

7. Mr. Henry got so wasted last friday night, wanna see the pictures?

6. Ok guys, I don’t feel like teaching today... why don’t you teach me.

5. What chapter in the book are we on again?

4. So whatever you do, make sure you don’t accidently mix these two chemicals together, if you do, you’ll actually blow up the school.... $*#&%! (emphatic expletive)

3. So, let me tell you guys about my hot date with Bobby’s mother last night.

2. ... grumbling... You think you can cut my salary, and get away with it.... I’ll show them.... I’ll show them all... if I were you kid, I’d call in sick tomorrow.

1. Here’s a list of the common unsanitary elements you will find in cafeterias all over the world: salmonella, ebola virus, e-coli, not to mention the occasional finger being chopped off due to kitchen mishaps *Bell ring* Ok, class dismissed, enjoy lunch hour.

*Quick Disclaimer* Alright these are supposed to be fun, much like my original Top Ten list of things never to say to a Homesick Camper, and of course David Letterman / Johnny Carson's original top ten lists. I hope you enjoy them, along with the satirical humor.

When My Head and Heart Disagree

When My Head and Heart Disagree

You wish that You’d be mine, and I’d be Yours

To cherish you deeply, to love You and adore --

But I find loving at times, too difficult a task

As my heart sometimes strays

From all the requests that you ask.

Sometimes they are quite simple

But other times I’m far removed

I’m not sure why I always seem to struggle

Doing the things that are approved.

And I hope you understand my reasoning,

Even thought my logic is flawed

It doesn’t make much sense to feel this way

But I’m afraid I have to say:

I’m stuck in two places at the same time,

Feeling the most pain, when I pretend that I’m fine

My life, living a full scale dichotomy

But sadly, I’m the only one that loses

When My head and heart disagree

Its not as if I don’t love You.

You know that my heart yearns for You.

But I find it difficult always beating Against

The treacherous tides of life...

Show me how to swim,

Or give me grace to sink

But please bring soothing peace to me

For the times when...

My Head and Heart Disagree.

By Greg Butz

August 8th, 2009

Now, I sure this seems like a love poem of some sorts -- and there are quite a numerous of parallel elements. But really this is a poem about trying to follow Christ -- when my head and heart disagree. I find it quite difficult constantly doing the the things that Christ desires of me. And in my heart, there are things that I know I ought to do, and things that I fall short of doing. This poem in many ways, is just a parallel between Romans chapter 8, where Paul declares, that he does the things he "ought not to do" and does not do things things that he's supposed to do.

But on a even more simple level, I know we've all faced dilemmas when our heart and head disagree about a person, thing, or even situation.

A Brand New Day

A Brand New Day

It’s been another trying night,
But now the Dawn has broken through
The closed fist grip of despair and fright
It’s a new morning, it’s a new day
What can I say in response—
To the beauty I see displayed?

Hark the triumph of the skies
When the light first reached my eyes
How could have ever been so dim
Worrying through the night
With a new sunrise, I should have known
Everything would be alright

My bed was soaked of sweat and tears
From all the troubles that plagued my fears
And all the creeks and groans
Echoing from this present time
Showed me how precious a commodity
Peace was to find

Unhappy beginnings don’t have to lead to
Unsatisfying endings—yet
It shouldn't be such a surprise
How quickly the clouds of doubt flee,
When the warmth of sunshine
Hit my eyes.

But things are always changing,
they seldom stay the same
It’s a shame the every morning
Can’t be as glorious as this one
But life’s not meant to be this way
Out of mistakes, there will always be…
A brand new day

So cease the moment,
And take hold of the day
Though its difficult now
It won’t always be this way
Rejoice in mourning – troubling as it is
For in the morning, it will always be …
A brand new day.

July 16th, 2009
Greg Butz

I wrote this poem in a Mexican Restaurant in Hong Kong. It was a lovely meal, after a storm the previous night. It was quite a contrast to the previous poem written, and unfortunately a contrast to the next few poems that I will post.

The Doldrums of Life

The Doldrums of Life

Well there's not much to say,
When life's got you feeling this way--
And after all this time,
I'm stuck in the doldrums of life.

And I've packed up all my bags,
But there's no place to go --
And there's no place that feels like home
In this doldrum of life.

I wish that the winds would just blow,
The direction wouldn't matter--
While you say, "what's the matter?"
But I'm not even moving slow.

I would even wish for a storm,
Then I could feel the movement of waves
But its not how doldrums behave,
It's the stillness that's the norm.

I would even wish for an undertow,
Or a vicious maelstrom
Something to take me away from here,
I don't even like where I'm from.

I'm a dingy cast in the sea,
With the sea as far as I can see
But you can't get much help here,
When your stuck in the doldrums of life.

By Greg Butz
July 15th, 2009

I'm Leaving Hong Kong, my tickets have been purchased three weeks ago, and two weeks ago I went in to collect a VISA they told me would only take 4-5 days. It still has not come in. Along with other thoughts or feelings has made me much maligned.

One Day When I Leave This Place

One Day When I Leave This Place

One day when I leave this place,

I’m going leave with a bang—

I’m sure if you’ll remember my name,

But I hope you never forget my face.

Will you remember my passion?

Will you remember my strengths?

Or will you dwell on that which is true,

That I was imperfect, just like you.

I had no ambitions to change the world,

At least not in tangible ways—

But I determined in my heart,

To try to make a better today.

I’m not sure I did all I wanted,

Nor did I accomplish all my goals—

But I served Christ with all my heart,

And lived to give others a fresh start.

But life was quickly fleeting,

With a time span unguaranteed—

Don’t measure the wealth I acquired,

It’s not how I wanted to succeed.

I did my best to live a different way,

Striving in life seasoned with grace,

So when others looked at me,

They didn’t see me, they saw His face.

So now that I’ve come to the end,

But it’s not over for me, it only begins--

With one foot in the door

Stretching between now and eternity.

I know how you feel,

I’ve felt this way before

Don’t cry for me,

Don’t shed a tear

Unless its one for joy

Though I’ll miss your embrace

But it’s time I left here

And went on to a better place.

Greg Butz

June 22^nd, 2009

A Poem for My Little Sister

A Poem for My Little Sister

This is a poem for my little sister,

Who is growing up, right before my eyes.

I marvel as I’ve see all the changes –

That are occurring, throughout your life.

I smile when you dance with joy

And the times you run with glee,

And laugh at all the things in your life

That lift you up and make you happy.

Though you may not have seen

Any of these tears of mine—

I’ve cried gushing wellsprings

When you are saddest in your life.

But I’m thankful to call you little sister,

And that I could be your brother.

I am proudest of all the things in life

That you have already discovered.

Even though you don’t have all the answers

To life’s trickiest of questions –

I know you desire Him faithfully,

And diligently follow His decrees.

And God is doing wonderful things in your life.

As He shapes you into a godly woman.

So continue to run to Him with all your might—

And never stop listening to His heart beat in your life.

And though trouble times may come upon you,

And your thoughts may scream, “What can I do?”

Just listen to the quiet voice in your life –

It’s the Father loving you saying:

“Everything will be all right.”

Greg Butz

2-13-09, (Revised June 22^nd)

I had the choice to either watch a movie, or to write a poem for my little sister. I chose of course to write the poem. This was a very easy poem to write -- because the feelings are very sincere. This poem is for my little sister, along with all the little sisters who are in my life. These include my friends at church as well as former and current students. One of the greatest joys in my life – is to be an older brother, for all my little sisters. No matter how old you become, you will always be my little sister =)

This is not a goodbye

This is Not Goodbye

We’ve known each other through the years,
The hardships, troubles, and with all of our tears.
It’s a surprise to find, that we’re moving on—
So goodbye, I can’t believe that you’re gone.

We took for granted all the time we shared,
When I looked at you, I knew that you cared.
I’m clinging to the memories of our good times,
But I never thought that we’d say “goodbye”,

Those times we talked for hours into the night
You seemed so close, yet you were out of my sight…
As we drifted apart, unclear of the reasons why
You went your way, and I went mine, “goodbye.”

Out there seems so large and confusing—
Though today, we seem to be loosing our way.
I’ll take comfort in knowing that—
Forever doesn’t end with our goodbye today.

One day we’ll bump back into each other
We’ll forget this moment—
Like we were friends forever!
When I see your face again,
A simple “hi” will erase the pain of this goodbye.
So I guess in the end, this was not a goodbye.

It can’t be the end,
We’ll meet again.
This is not goodbye.

Life will be greater,
When I see you later,
Again, this is not goodbye.

Greg Butz
June 21, 2009