Knowledge and Money

I love to read quotes from different people. I especially like ones that inspire and motivate people to be successful. Last night, I came up with the following thought comparing knowledge and money. There is more to being a teacher than just teaching curriculum. I truly believe that teachers must teach character and personal growth, as well. Today, I showed some motivational clips to get my students motivated to take the STAAR test, but we also talked about the following analogy. It was a great lesson, but within the realms of learning about character, they also learned the curriculum. (Haha!! Learning analogies is part of the curriculum!)

Knowledge and Money

by: Amanda Sanders King

Knowledge is like money. The more you know; the more you are worth. Like money, the more you have, the more you can buy. However, money only buys physical things; whereas, knowledge buys your choices that lead to character. More knowledge allows you to buy wiser decisions. Those wise decisions give you the character traits of honesty, integrity, loyalty, respect, and success. On the other hand, less knowledge leads you to buy into foolish decisions. The character traits you get from those decisions are dishonesty, falseness, insecurity, depression, and an unawareness of things. Your character is what makes or breaks you; therefore, knowledge is more important than money!

I went on to ask my students what they would do with the knowledge they are gaining in school. Hopefully, they will use it to be successful in life. Ask yourself the same question. What are you going to do with the knowledge that you have learned? Are you going to keep making the same mistakes over and over? Or, are you going to learn from those mistakes and build your character?

My Grandmother

My Grandmother

By: Amanda Sanders King

February 2, 2012

I originally wrote this poem for my grandmother’s 80th birthday. Today, I revised that poem to pay tribute to her. I don’t think she could ever realize what an impact she had on her grandchildren. One thing that isn’t mentioned in this poem that I clearly remember about her faith was when my brother, Jeremy, was in the hospital about to be diagnosed with diabetes. That afternoon, she told my cousin, Kerre, and I to kneel on our knees and pray for him. Although God didn’t heal him from that disease, she taught us an important lesson that day. This poem is just a short account of so many fond memories that I have of a very special lady.

How we love you Grandmother.

You are unlike any other.

The way you laugh and smile,

And how you go the extra mile.

Many times you wiped away our tears

And took away all our fears.

I remember we dressed-up Barbies everyday,

Although you had more things to do than play.

The time we fell off the golf-cart

Probably wasn’t very smart.

We use to love to climb that tree

While we played Mon-Chee-Chees.

You rode with us in the back of the car

So you could color with us on travels far.

We’ve all grown up now that’s true,

But we will never, ever forget about you

You are a lady who has done so much;

Many lives you have certainly touched.

Right now we all have heavy hearts

Although we know you have done your part.

We know Jesus was in your life;

He will help to take away all of our strife.

We are so grateful to have a Grandmother

Who believed in God and none other.

If Everyday Were Valentines Day

Sometimes the hype of Valentines Day makes some people feel down and out. Say you don't get the roses or the candy you were expecting, or what if your husband even forgot that today was "love" day? Better yet, do you hate Valentines Day because of lost love? Well, there is someone who never forgets you, in fact, He is the ultimate Valentine! This poem is just about that person. Chad preached a sermon yesterday about the Crazy Love of God, and with that in mind, I have written this poem. It's about a God who loves you and never forgets about you. All because of Him, we can have a day like Valentines everyday of our lives!

If Everyday Were Valentines Day

by: Amanda Sanders King

If everyday were Valentines Day,

Chocolate and flowers would never go away.

People would give, cherish and love

Instead of fight, argue, push and shove.

Children would have happiness in their hearts

For parents would never divorce or depart.

Unfortunately, everyday isn’t Valentines Day

Moms and Dads do go away.

Marriages split and spouses die

To leave those behind to ask why.

This day leaves some empty and all alone

So they sit in a bar or drink at home.

Valentines Day isn’t all that it’s made to be,

But there are two days that bring true love, you see.

December and April is where we find

Love that is so pure and kind.

The sweetness of an innocent child,

And the death of a savior lowly and mild.

Easter and Christmas teaches us the power

Of a love higher than the highest tower.

For Christ came to save us from sin

That we might be born once again.

Through his death he showed us his love,

And he gives us a home so far up above.

By belief in his resurrection we are saved.

This we are grateful and have proclaimed!

That Jesus is far above any St. Valentine,

And I am so glad that He is mine.

So if you’re down and out this day,

You have someone that loves you anyway.

No matter what you’ve done in your life,

Jesus came as the ultimate sacrifice.

Trust in Him with all your heart,.

And from you He will never depart

From this day forward you can always say,

That everyday is truly a Valentine Day!

Rangers' Fan Memories

This season has been awesome for the Rangers! Although they didn't win the World Series, they are still my heroes. I'm so proud of the way they played, and this poem is just for them. Thanks Rangers for such a great year!!!

Rangers' Fan Memories

By: Amanda Sanders King

Through the chilliness of April and into the heat of summer,

There evolved a team in Texas that was unlike any other.

With a tight budget and hardly any money to spend,

Ron Washington put together a team that would depend

On each other to win no matter what the situation.

And win, they did with much elation.

“It‘s time” was their ultimate theme.

With anticipation of what the season would bring!

Speed and hitting was put to the test.

Pitching was at its all time best.

Then, Hicks went bankrupt in the court;

The Rangers are for sell was the report.

It came down to two who wanted to buy;

Greenburg and Nolan wouldn’t deny

Their passion to invest in the Rangers

No matter what might be the hidden danger.

The sale brought so many pleasure

For Nolan has been a beloved treasure.

Thirty some odd years Texans had waited;

The arrival of this owner was too belated.

Since the deal was finally done,

The players kept on playing and won!

Antlers and claws on everyone’s mind,

Team unity and happiness is what they would find.

With so many who had never believed;

The Rangers took over and finished the deed.

Beating the Angels for the title and Rays for the division,

The Yankees were looking to destroy their vision

Of the World Series that Texas had never seen.

So the Rangers shattered the Yankees dreams!

They did the unthinkable to get to the series,

Shooting down so many predictions and theories.

However, the World Series they would not win;

The Giants were greater than they’d ever been.

With tears on Rangers fans eyes and cheeks,

They would once again become lowly and meek.

Nothing is lost but much has been gained;

Some day the Rangers a world series will obtain.

Kinsler, Young, Andrus, Molina, Lewis and Lee,

Cruz , Moreland, Hunter, Hamilton, Wilson and Murphy,

Rangers’ fans give the claw and tip our hats to you ,

For all the awesome things that you do.

Thanks for making our year one to remember,

And giving us something to cheer about in November!

I have decided to make today the day to post this poem. It's my feelings of what it is truly like listening to Raider fans before and after they play the Horns. With a record of 45-13 against the Raiders, there's no doubt who's the best!!!

Longhorns Fan in Raiderland

By: Amanda Sanders King

I’m a Longhorns fan

Living in the middle of Raiderland.

Those Raiders get their guns up in the air

And Horns fans give them an evil glare.

It’s just not the sight we want to see.

They jump up and down with much glee.

What for? I haven’t got a clue,

I guess they have nothing better to do.

What’s up with all the throwing of tortillas?

They’re just wasting part of a good quesadilla.

We Horns fans always delight

When we hear “Texas Fight.”

It brings life into our eyes,

And you Raider fans just can’t deny

That the orange and white is your fear,

Cause more times than not we ruin your year.

Yeah, I know you’ve ruined some of ours, too.

But we don’t continue to dwell on it like you!

All I hear is "remember Crabtree’s touchdown,"

Like you think it’s going to bring me a frown.

Is that all you have on us?

Man, that’s not much to make us fuss.

So that’s really all I have to say,

And please take your guns and go away,

We will always be your biggest thorn,

And you will always wish you were as good as the Horns!!!

Well, it's been since April since I've written anything. Maybe now that football is in the air I will get motivated to do some more writing. This is my newest poem written today about football in Texas.

Football in Texas

By: Amanda Sanders King

When the night air begins to cool down,

And leaves on the trees start to turn brown.

That’s how you know that life has begun

For those who are glad that summer is done.

With the change of the seasons comes the thing

That makes Texans’ hearts start to sing.

The crisp air that brings in the fall

Is the same air that carries the sounds of football.

Fans wave the colors of their alma maters;

Players wear the pride of their fathers.

Cheerleaders jump, cheer and dance;

Bands play fight songs and victory chants.

Coaches are fired up with calling the plays,

In hopes of seeing the season last more days.

For if they set their minds to December,

They could win a title that all will remember.

A state championship is the goal for all teams,

But only a few see the reality of those dreams.

So for now the game’s played week by week

While winning is what each team will seek.

Rivalries and heroes will both be made

For the sake of the game that will be played.

If you want to see what Texas lives for,

Come and take a Friday night tour.

Drive through any town and look for the lights

That shine on those young faces so bright.

You can’t miss the place you need to be;

Cars and buses are parked as far as the eye can see.

Come in and enjoy the sights and sounds

At the game where the heart of a champion is found.

This is a poem that I wrote about people who refuse to want to change things in the church based on tradition. I've been told that the words "it's always been done that way," are the most hurtful words to a church body. So many times we let tradition get in the way of what the Bible really has to say. This poem describes how it makes me feel when I hear that phrase!

Out With the Old

By: Amanda Sanders King

Out with the old, in with the new,

Makes an old man want to spew.

They grip, complain, whine, and pout.

Some wonder what the fuss is all about.

“It’s always been done like that,” they say,

Without even taking time to think or pray.

Honestly, do you believe that phrase?

If so, you’re living in a foggy haze.

This world isn’t the same as it’s always been,

Come on now, we are no longer cave men!

We’ve now discovered there’s more to outer space.

And we know so much about the human race.

People no longer have to write and mail letters,

Because the computer lets us do it faster and better.

So you want to sulk about what might be new,

As you slouch and squirm in your back pew.

You cause so many people misery and pain.

Really and truly, what is it you want to gain?

If God had thought that things had to stay the same,

Then His dear blessed son would have never came.

A blood sacrifice of a lamb would still be enough,

But, He had a better plan that was very tough.

He made it easier for me and you,

So we wouldn't have to sacrifice animals, too!

Quit backbiting and stirring up things,

It’s really not worth the agony it brings.

So many times we rely on traditions,

Instead of what the scripture mentions.

The Bible, not doctrine, is what I stand for,

Now hush up, sit down; need I say more?