Friendship

Vicki and I have been blessed to see much of the United States. We literally have friends in most areas of the country and to spend time with people doing something outdoors is the greatest treat. This is the group picture (minus the photographer, Michael) taken after our snow-shoe adventure.
What a great group of young adults who willingly spend time with the "old" folks on the day after Thanksgiving. It keeps Vicki and I young and focused on keeping the perspectives of others in mind. It becomes very easy to get set in your ways as you age. Teaching with a solid group of young people keeps me from becoming that old grouch (I hope.) that many people turn into after age 55. The future belongs to the young and while I have learned several things not to do in life, their optimism is needed in my life. We can learn from each other. During this Christmas season it has been fun to look back and see how blessed I am to be able to spend a lot of time with adults the same age as my children. Their friendship is invaluable!

Winter

This is a picture of Vicki and I on the Frog Lake Trail during our recent trip to Portland. We truly were blessed with a snowy day in the woods with great company. We didn't complete the entire trail, Michael and Chris got tired of breaking the trail plus it was starting to get late and we weren't excited about hiking in the early Oregon darkness.

Winter is beautiful when you get enough snow to actually get out and enjoy it. We love to snowshoe and the peacefulness of the woods is truly a place to clear the mind. Since returning to the Midwest it has been hectic but the "Walden" experience recharged batteries that were in a severely weakened state. Are you in need of a recharge? Head outdoors, find a nearby woods and enjoy a walk, leave the headphones at home, listen to your Creator who has far more important things to say to you.

Portland

We flew to Portland for Thanksgiving with family. Our daughter-in-law spent an entire day (honest) preparing a wonderful meal. While my idea of good weather does not mix well with Portland from November to March we were blessed to be in that part of the country. It is nice to be able to walk four blocks and get a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich, walk four blocks to get to the New Seasons organic food store, walk four blocks and get on the mass transportation to ride downtown. We explored Powell's, snowshoed, ate breakfast at Mother's Bistro, and visited the Saturday market where we heard Boka Marimba. Boka plays music in the Shona people tradition and they were outstanding. Hopefully I will get a picture or two from our son to post in the near future.
No issues traveling, no body scans, etc. but every flight is packed.

On-line

Riding through Delavan, Illinois on a Saturday morning and there was a 1954 Ford for sale. Since I was born that year and my Grandfather owned a similar vehicle I had to stop and snap a picture. Chrome, two-tone, white-walls, V8, and room to relax. How times have changed.
It appears that I will pilot the first on-line class at Pekin High School next semester. We are well past the minimum of twenty students and will have to reduce to hold the class to thirty. Did my grandfather ever think there would be "on-line" learning? Could he have even understood the concept? Do I understand the concept? More on this second semester.
The Ford cruised down two-lane highways, windows down in summer for "air-conditioning" and the heater providing comfort in cold weather. The left foot determined if your "brights" went on or off by pushing a button on the floor. Who could have imagined what the modern auto would be capable of doing fifty-six years after this car cruised down memory lane? Am I capable of imagining what students of today will need in ten years let alone in twenty to thirty? I'm thankful I love learning, will they?

Fall

Field trip with our American Studies students to the Lincoln Museum and then New Salem. Beautiful day with sun and temperatures in the mid-40s. I have observed this cabin at New Salem on previous trips but today the sun and shadows really struck me. I stepped up on a table and snapped several shots. I like the shadows in this photo. Fall really is a time of year when the shining sun produces scenes we don't get to see until that brief time in the spring. The light reveals a different perspective on a scene.
I am reminded that I also need to take a new perspective on things. I should look at my busy list of things to do from a new perspective (different angle). Always looking from the same perspective may mean I miss an opportunity to view a task from a different point of view. Anyway, it was a great day to be outside, students were excellent and we all returned safely.

What is Important?

Our church had its "consecration Sunday" last weekend. This is the Sunday when members make a pledge for giving during the coming year. We had Rev. Roger Russell from Wesley United Methodist Church in Canton, IL as our guest minister and he was excellent. His sermon focused on Matthew 22: 15-22 where the Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus in a discussion regarding taxes and money. Jesus responds, something to the effect that we should give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's.
Just like the Pharisee's I want all the benefits of living in America (police, firemen, paved roads, electric lights, indoor plumbing, etc.) but I don't want to pay taxes for them. But that isn't even what made me nervous, it was when Rev. Russell said the verses weren't about money but with God's ownership of me. I live an orderly life because I was created by an orderly God, I show love because my God is love, and I seek eternal life because I was created by an eternal God. God's rule in my life should be foremost because he owns everything about us. My focus must become less on things of this earth and more on things of importance to the One who created me.

Travel

We took a short trip to Vincennes and New Harmony, Indiana. While in Vincennes we visited Grouseland, home of William Henry Harrison and the George Rogers Clark Memorial (middle photo) where you can see several Revolutionary War burial sites. We spent a couple of hours in New Harmony where you can get an excellent cup of coffee at the establishment pictured. I am more and more amazed by the 19th century era of American History. Harrison had a wonderful home built (400,000 bricks) and he thought of everything, indoor well, all walls were brick which made it more difficult for angry locals to shoot you and it was harder to burn the house down. The sacrifice these men made for our nation is amazing. I know they had their faults, I've heard all that, but when compared with the people we elect today they were saints. I have always been disappointed with our treatment of Native Americans but can't seem to find any example of someone else who handled a similar situation any better. I would like to think we could have allowed them to continue to live their lives without relocating them.

As I look over all the change that occurred from 1800 to 1900 it truly fogs my brain to try and come up with what should have been done. As Bob Dylan sang so eloquently, "the times they are a-changing." That was the case, once Independence was won, a new Constitution established and the government began making "internal improvements," the future almost seems to be set in stone. The people here first were now in the way of progress. I know in 2010 what many people think when they hear I don't carry a cell phone with me........strange person.

The Simple Life

Vicki and I went to the Colonial Faire at Jubilee State Park last Saturday. I really enjoyed looking at all the colorful foods raised by Native Americans of the Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois regions. The colorful corn, squash, pumpkin, and berries were beautiful. What a word to describe food and yet the more colorful our food the more enjoyable our dining experience. As a history teacher I also found it interesting that history was their least favorite subject in school. History must be experienced not memorized.

The school year has begun. I love being back in the classroom for three hours per day. American Studies is using google docs to reduce paper, allow sharing of documents, assign presentations that can't be left at home, and equalize the playing field between have's and have not's. As if attempting to direct forty-seven juniors through google docs doesn't add stress, my team teaching partner and I were awarded a Smartboard. We love it, no more overheads, one machine does it all (well, not quite), we grade themes by bringing up the "doc" and grading, snap a picture, convert to pdf and save. It will then be returned to the student AND NO PAPER WAS USED! I follow a guy on Twitter who goes by "Teach Paperless" and he is an inspiration. Oh, I am trying to use Twitter on a regular basis and I am seeing potential classroom applications every day. However, I am going to two days of training on Blackboard this week and so I have another technology to learn and implement. Oh, I will turn fifty-six in October and my brain hurts. One question, why do many administrators when faced with a decision between FREE and pay choose to pay? My American Government teachers have successfully used Moodle for three years but we have to use Blackboard. Free vs pay. I don't understand. We didn't get a pay raise but we got Office 2010, Caterpillar Tractor Company uses Office 2003. Open Office is free, why do we need 2010? I know the pay guys add some bells and whistles but FREE is FREE......I have lived in a home without cable television and survived, I don't own a smartphone and the sun still rises in the morning, I drive a manual transmission Toyota that gets 40 plus mpg on the highway and it's not a Hybrid. Help me understand why complicated is better. Where is Thoreau when I need him?

Back To School

It is the time of year when our department celebrates retirements, retirees, and returning to school. Each year the week before school our Social Studies Dept. members, spouses, and children share a meal, memories and anticipation about the coming year. It is a special time for me because I touch base with former members and introduce new members to their new second "family." We are somewhat unique in that I hire people who I believe will make great teachers but also people I believe will bond with co-workers and form a team that shares ideas, struggles, joys and successes. I want people who are open with others, who take advice, give advice, can agree or disagree and be professional. I get to work each day with people who meet this criteria and exceed it. For those of you who don't hire in this manner........reconsider. All of the background relationships are what make us successful in the classroom, none of us stand alone, we are supporting one another at a variety of levels and that is what benefits our students. It is part of the reason when students have the schedule space they fill it with a Social Studies credit. Our family of teachers cares for each other which makes it easier to care for our students. Have a great school year!

Doing More With Less

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128953596&ps=cprs
I know most of us don't want to live with the crowding that the Japanese have to endure on a daily basis, however, the article explains the use of "micro-houses" to provide a small personal space and not waste more resources than necessary. Americans need to examine this concept carefully and consider whether they need all the space they have.

It Never Ends

Just finished the introduction to Connecting Teachers, Students, And Standards by Voltz, Sims and Nelson. Another book written by educators who don't get it or who do get it and won't dare write it. We are not all the same, programmers don't work in a team with the window washers, engineers at Caterpillar don't work in a team with the chip wheeler, they are entirely different skill sets. As a Social Studies Dept. Chair I integrated nearly all students into our Freshman level Global Studies classes over twelve years ago. I even used the same arguments as the authors, that the lower ability student will learn from observing the higher ability student. Every year we continue to modify our curriculum to try and raise the bar for that lower achieving student and for the majority of lower achievers it doesn't work. We are "teaming" students who will never be teamed in life. I don't want a "dumbed down" curriculum for lower achievers, I want a more direct intervention curriculum that involves parents, counselors, job shadowing, vocational education, technology and regular classes.

Oh, that part about lower ability students observing higher ability students and picking up habits.....we have not seen that happening. In fact, we can't even mix abilities in our cooperative learning groups because the lower ability student has caught on that the upper ability student will do the work if they just wait. We have gone to grouping by grades, top four grades, next four, next four and so on. Yes, that cruelly leaves the bottom four together but we have found that usually one or two of them step up and get the task done! It appears to mirror our larger society where if I just wait, someone will take care of me. Wow, school hasn't started and I'm depressed.

Most educators don't get it, we have the technology to guide students while they work independently. They can contact us with questions (oh, forgot, most of that stuff if used during school hours will get you a detention), allow us to edit writing on-line, share documents between themselves (oh, they might cheat???), but most schools are terrified. IT IS THE 21st CENTURY, time to start teaching students for their future and not my past. Oh, can a history teacher say that?

Remember, be nice and work hard.

Change

We are caught up in a fast changing world. When I look at this image of our sons and they are now 28 and 30 I think where did the time go. We didn't own a computer (1984), cell, and hadn't even thought of all the other technology that we now take for granted. We camped in a tent, told stories, read books, and saw most of the U.S. before our sons moved out for good. We have memories that will last a life-time. As I tweet, blog, and e-mail I wonder if anyone will remember five minutes from now let alone 26 years later. Memories are made through an investment of time and energy. Camping memories require a lot of effort and most of them are only fun years later when you look back. I think of families who are taking children as young as ours in the picture on vacations to Disney World, cruises to Mexico and other exotic places.......error. The everyday struggles of a camping trip, cold, wet, maybe bugs, maybe snow, maybe......pit pots, are really needed in a world where we think constant communication and contact is needed. Walden is where 90% of us need to go, 10% are probably there or just returning. Take time to enjoy your journey.

Palisade View of the Mississippi

What did the early explorers of the Mississippi Valley see? How wide and deep was the river? How did they handle bugs? Video is from an overlook on one of the trails. In our modern age of channels, levees, ballast, and all the other means of controlling the river (ha!) I can lose vision of what the river would have looked like 200 years ago. It is nice to stand at an overlook and dream.

Mississippi Palisades State Park

Went camping to MPSP last Sunday afternoon and returned home Wednesday morning. Yes, it was hot, humid, and buggy. It was also relaxing, refreshing, and renewing. There is nothing like the outdoors to bring priorities to life. The area had received over 11" of rain on the Friday before our arrival so flooding was common. It is kind of strange to drive and see whole fields buried in mud. Train cars had been swept off the track in Savanna and the bridge for cars had to closed because all ballast had been washed away and piers were twisted.

Rumors

No Child Left Behind. What a noble cause, what a grand idea, who could disagree? Every child can learn to read, write, do math and science at a proficient level on the ACT? Don't even want to waste space when the rumor mill has provided me some food for thought and for wondering why no publication ever digs into the "data" schools and the state provide. Is it accurate? Has it been manipulated? Are all schools doing the exact same thing? Who has time to check into the behind the scenes stuff when we can pick on the dumb teachers and they can't defend themselves?

Graduation rate: figured on those students who earn their credits to graduate by June 30 of the school year. What if the student takes summer school and it ends on July 6 or 7 and they get their diploma then? Rumor, some administrators count them on the next years graduating class. So if one student drops out you have one who graduated the previous summer school and that would balance that out.

Reclassification of students: who takes the PSAE? All third year high school students? All students who have earned junior status? Only those students who have taken Algebra II and Chemistry can be called juniors?? Where did this one come from? Rumor, an area district is going to this way of classifying students to keep the lower performing crowd from taking the test. I thought all students had to have their transcripts stamped that they took the PSAE, could this really be happening? Rumors.

Bottom line, the race to higher test scores must stop. There is no connection between high test scores and the ability to compete for jobs on the world stage. China and India have the future, their top 10% outnumber our entire student population. We need to teach our students how to be outstanding employees, how to think, problem solve, speak, work within a diverse group, get along well with others, we need to drop this idea that all students need four years of math and four years of English. The truth is, they don't. The life skills will be far more valuable. We have always known this but politicians like to get elected and so they get involved in things of which they have no understanding. You know, education, the economy, the budget, paying bills on time, telling the truth, working well with others, problem solve, etc. Oh, kind of looks like a list I wrote earlier in this blog.

Race to the _______________

Schools are jumping on the "Race to the Top" bandwagon. Throw out teacher tenure, fire the bums! For our particular district signing on to race to the top would have meant about $70,000 (school of 2100 students) or the same money Pepsi gives us each year to allow their machines in our school. Someone hired the "bums," someone evaluated the "bums" and allowed the "bums" to continue on and finally be granted tenure based upon an evaluation process. Seems we might want to consider who needs to be fired. By the way, what is the average administrator district tenure in Illinois?

Truly Dare to be Different

Reading the latest news regarding teacher evaluations, pay for performance, tenure, and you name it. I have a radical idea. Everyone is paid on the same scale within a district. From the superintendent to the first year teacher, all move on the same salary schedule. I have heard all administrators say there is no more important work than what goes on in the classroom; let's keep the best teachers in the classroom. All professional school employees would move to a year around schedule, all would have the same vacation time, when no students are present teachers would be free for in-services, meetings, curriculum work, data analysis, technology training, and so on. This is also when classroom teachers would plan their vacation time. Don't like that one?

Every ten years all administrators, deans, department chairs, and counselors return full-time to the classroom from whence they came. New people, new ideas, new favorite programs, new directions, lower salaries would enter and have their shot at improving the school. This would keep the people who are always telling teachers what to do in touch with the ever-changing student attitude, new technology, and new initiatives. It would also allow those who constantly criticize the administration a chance to walk in the shoes of someone else. Sorry no changing districts to avoid the ten year rule, it is ten years and out, don't care how many different schools were involved. Everyone in education needs to revisit the classroom. Oh, consultants..........you must teach full-time for four years out every ten(two years consecutive). I want someone who walks in my shoes for the entire school year demonstrating what they did and why I should use this instructional model.

Bottom line, parents and income are the best indicator of how a student will do in school. Why doesn't either political party talk about evaluating parents and publishing their scores? Failing scores for seven consecutive years and the parent must ___________________. Politicians should fill in the blank. Standardized tests measure socio-economic level and not a whole lot more. Why do you think middle and upper class schools always do better? The honest truth, parents and life opportunities. Neither political party will touch the real issue of American education when it is so easy to beat up the defenseless teacher.

Thoughts

We live in the post-modern era. Many of our young people are taught by those who have no definite moral compass. No God. We are only a product of our heredity and environment. The Enlightenment philosophers began the journey and it has continued with minor impediments ever since. Technology of the last fifty years has really picked up the pace with which the antitheistic philosophies have spread. While the antitheist picks upon those of Christian faith for their attacks on their fellow man in the crusades, a survivor of Auschwitz, Viktor Frankl, gives an interesting response on how Auschwitz happened.

"If we present man with a concept of man which is not true, we may well corrupt him. When we present him as an automaton of reflexes, as a mind machine, as a bundle of instincts, as a pawn of drive and reactions, as a mere product of heredity and environment, we feed the nihilism to which modern man is, in any case, prone. I became acquainted with the last stage of corruption in my second concentration camp, Auschwitz. The gas chambers of Auschwitz were the ultimate consequence of the theory that man is nothing but the product of heredity and environment--or, as the Nazis liked to say, "of blood and soil." I am absolutely convinced that the gas chambers of Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Maidanek were ultimately prepared not in some ministry or other in Berlin, but rather at the desks and in lecture halls of nihilistic scientists and philosophers."

Nietzsche and Kant have had to give an account to the Creator they denied. Yet today, we seem to be bent upon removing every vestige of religious teaching from the public eye. There is no historic evidence that says antitheism has a better track record for moral behavior than religious belief. An issue with antitheism is that it encourages immoral behavior for many by denial of any "Supreme Being." Humans have never done very well with the freedom they seem to so desire. I don't deny that some people of faith don't always do well demonstrating their faith but the same is true for those who claim antitheism as their faith. At least my faith teaches me what behavior is appropriate and what is inappropriate. Where does the antitheist learn these freedoms and limits?

Parenting

We had our Men's Gathering at FUMC Peoria on Monday night. Our study time was difficult, it dealt with being a dad. We read Hebrews 12:1-12 and Ephesians 6:1-4. Aaron then directed us to a hand-out where he had summarized four "landmarks" from Ephesians. These came from the book, Point Man, by Steve Farrar. I had read this book during our Basic Training class and it is a powerful read for all fathers. But, the four main points Aaron wanted all men to think about as they raise children:
Fathers should raise their children.....
1. with Fairness. Habitual unfairness over the years results in an accumulation of anger that eventually embitters children toward their father.
2. with Tenderness. There are many facets of tenderness, including sympathy, compassion, responsiveness, warmth, and kindness.
3. with Firmness. To refuse to discipline a child is to refuse a clear demand of God, for a child who doesn't learn to obey both parents will find it much harder to learn to obey God. READ THIS ONE AGAIN!
4. in Christ. When a father disciplines and instructs his children in the admonition of the Lord, he is under the quality control of the Holy Spirit.

Young fathers don't realize they will spend many hours contemplating these very issues when their children are grown and gone. I encourage fathers to address the issues at every age, every day and then they won't have to wonder how did I do. I am not going to reveal the discussion our table of men had regarding the rating they gave their own father on each issue. It gave each of us pause to think.

Thought

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed. Albert Einstein

Power of Decision: Leaving the Boat

Our church is having worship services in the tradition of other Protestant denominations. We have had an Orthodox style and today it was worship in the Baptist tradition. Our directing pastor's wife is also ordained and comes from the Baptist tradition so she had the message. Her scripture basis was from Mark 1:16-20 and Matthew 14: 22-33 and the focus of her message was two-fold, the calling of the disciples and Peter walking on water. Things from the message that really struck me were how the fishermen, when called, dropped their nets and followed. They gave up their identity as fishermen and the security of their work for the unknown. What is it that I hesitate to give up that hinders my totally following Jesus Christ? Why do I think that God needs to hear my opinion? Why do I think that all the things I do are more important than the call to "follow Me?" The truth is, the disciples are a miracle in that they followed. Jesus didn't have try-outs. He called, they followed. The "training" was on the job and usually they didn't get it. Bottom line, the Holy Spirit was very capable of empowering these men as will happen later at Pentecost. I need to decide if I am willing to follow Christ and discern what that means. Christy made a comment in her message that when Peter began to sink he discovered we are not created to go it alone. We each need Christ every minute of every day. Jesus calls us to get out of the boat so we can live more abundantly. As we leave the boat, His hand will reach out and lift us above the storm.

Copper Harbor, Michigan First Night

Isle Royale photos

Home Again

Arrived home from our journey north last night. We had a wonderful trip to Isle Royale National Park. Great boat trip out to the island, fair trip back. It was so nice to be away from cars, phones, e-mail and television. Vicki found a four night package deal that included meals, transportation, one local boat trip and a canoe rental. The meals were outstanding, not many choices but the food was fine. We had the pleasure of helping train four young ladies from China. They are working here for the summer as they study the tour guide program in their homeland. I can't imagine going to China and taking orders in a restaurant for a summer. One young lady said it was her second summer and she really enjoyed the work. Another benefit, you save money because there isn't much to spend it on. The weather is interesting, foggy, overcast, drizzle, Portland type. We had one really sunny day and it was warm but otherwise.....fall like temps. Flowers are beautiful and the loons are fun to watch. Take books and relax or spend the day hiking. Trails are rough, lots of rocks and roots to dodge so it is hard to navigate. I really can't imagine lugging the 50 pound backpack over some of the trails we hiked.

Bike Trip II

Completed my second bike trip to Winona, Minnesota last Sunday afternoon. Four teachers, two young (under 40 and under 30) and two not so young (over 55). We left Kewanee, IL on Wednesday (June 2) and 360 miles of wind, rain, rollers, and hills later we arrived at our destination. It was wonderful! Tom and I were making our second trip and Kirk and John their first trip. John was unsure if he would finish but with food like that shown in the photo he easily answered the challenge. This trip was very different for me, I actually was able to use my mountain gear so I could climb EVERY incline we encountered. I didn't even get nervous when the pack of little dogs (10) tried to rush me toward the top of one particularly intense climb. Tom was able to Twitter our trip and that was fun for my wife. Longest climb went over 2 miles which may not seem like much to some of you but it will sure take it out of an older guy. It is also the angle of the climb that makes it difficult! Great food, great conversation, life-long memories, this is one of those experiences that bond people together at many different levels. :-)

If You Can't Sing It

Sunday worship with Pastor Bob, even for methodical Methodists can be fresh and new. Today we focused on the concept of music and singing in worship. Our service went as follows:
Prelude: Medley of Just a Closer Walk with Thee and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot with Janet Kaizer on the piano.
Introit: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus by one of our children's choirs
Call to Worship
Scripture: Psalm 150
Hymn: O For a Thousand Tongues
Scripture: Ephesians 6: 10-11
Hymn: Soldiers of Christ, Arise
Scripture: Colossians 3: 16
Hymn: Sweet Hour of Prayer
Some church stuff
Prayer Response song: Jesus Loves Me
Offertory: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Presentation of Tithes and Offerings: I Stand Amazed (v. 1)
Scripture: Psalm 100
Hymn: Victory in Jesus
Sermon: If You Can't Sing It
Hymn: What Wondrous Love is This
Closing Hymn: I'll Fly Away
Postlude: Sanctified Janet Kaizer on the piano

At the heart of our faith is singing. No matter where you go, when Christians gather there is music and song. Pastor Bob said some Methodists even think if you can't sing it, you needn't believe it. Our music helps express what we believe. All major doctrines of the faith can be addressed in song. Music also helps us express what we feel about what we believe. Martin Luther has been rumored to have battled depression and believed it was song that raised him from the depth of darkness because Satan can't sing. If you church has never stepped out and done a service similar to what we did today, go for it. Your congregation may need to select newer songs depending upon the Christian age of the congregation but for this 50+ believer it was a real blessing to sing hymns that have meant a lot to me throughout my maturing years.

House

The siding guys are here. It is hard to admit you can't get something done. It is even harder to admit that maybe the job was beyond your skill in the first place. Anyway, they are working and I'm hiding in the basement kind of ashamed that I couldn't get the project finished. Pictures will be posted when the work is complete.

Why Can't We Be Satisfied?

I've written before about the class I have been taking this year. Saturday morning we discussed "serving for the long haul" under the larger topic, "Finding Your Role in God's Family." Assignments for the week included listening to Bill Hybels speak on "Reading Your Gauges." In that presentation he identified four mismanaged areas of our lives that lead to the wheels coming off. One, our pace of life which leads to economizing or pushing back those things that are really important in order to keep up the pace of those things we believe are important; two, emotions, we must remain emotionally healthy to produce fruit and if life is emotionally depleting we will be ineffective in doing what God has placed us here to do. Third, relations, pace of life gets to be too much, our emotions drag and our relationships suffer, usually those relationships that should be most important, to our God, our wife, our children. Fourth, spiritual life, one plus two plus three equals four. Remember Titus 3:5.
Then an article by Doug Sherman entitled, "God First, Family Second....Right?" Excellent article that is a rebuttal to old adage God first, family second and so on. He views God in all things and so sets up a pentathlon model where there is no rank but God permeates our entire life. "How can we live in obedience to God as our free time diminishes and the demands on it increase?" Chapter 12 in John Ortberg's book, "The Life You've Always Wanted" discusses a similar model.
Finally, a part of our study and discussion centered around "management of my spiritual life."
1. Am I in a position where God can speak to me?
2. Am I sensing God's love in my life?
3. Is there infrequent personal application of God's Word?
4. Is my Christian life reduced to a rut of routine?
5. Is my prayer life mechanical at best?
Why can't we be satisfied with enough? Why are we always chasing more? Bigger house, next promotion, more time at work, less time at home? As someone closer to sixty than fifty I can reflect on the time invested pursuing what the world holds important instead of what is really important. In the big picture I see that whether I drive a Lexus or a Corolla won't matter one bit. Whether I have the biggest house with the perfect lawn.....it doesn't matter; what matters is whether I have taken the time to develop the right relationship with God which in turns helps me focus on having right relationships with my wife, my children, my job and everything else. I'm not Buddhist so don't assume that because I find wisdom in their Dharma Wheel I am recommending Buddhism. Christians must focus on developing the right relationship with our Lord so that out of that all other relationships have the potential to develop correctly.

Last Colorado video

Final video of our family gathering in Estes Park, Colorado. Adjustment back to school has been difficult due to the above average temperatures. I have been out on the bike more and am trying to get ready for a ride to Minnesota in June. I already have more miles logged than I did in 2008 when I made the ride with a fellow teacher. Of course the lack of seat miles caught up with me and I was forced to cut the trip short.

Bierstadt Lake

Beautiful day for being out in the snow.

Hiking

Video is of the Gem Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Even though we were later in the day this would be beautiful in the early morning. Some great views of Estes Park. Lake was still frozen solid.

Tracking

Just read a post by Ross Crockett on the Committed Sardine website and he made an interesting comment about tracking. "Apprenticeships have long been popular in Europe, but workforce--oriented high school training is not nearly as common in U.S. schools. One reason is that such programs sound dangerously similar to tracking--sorting students by ability level, a practice repeatedly rejected in U.S. culture, in which the dominant philosophy is that all students should have opportunity to meet their full potential." I have been teaching in a high school setting for twenty-five years and trying to get an English department to reduce or rethink tracking was impossible until the past couple of years. The philosophy was that we have to track due to ability and not a thought was given to preparing students for the real job world. College does not guarantee a good income but there are apprenticeships (carpenter, electrician, plumber) that do provide good jobs with good income and we need to be preparing students in every subject for these types of jobs. American education is hung up on four years of math (not everyone needs it), four years of English (people will do well without it), two to three years of science (two years yes, more...........no) and two and one-half years of Social Studies (no comment, I'm the department chair so can't be fair). I have built homes for a living, didn't need calculus or trig, in fact I worked with my high school math teacher.....poor guy couldn't apply his geometry to building a house to save his life. This is where the real problem lies, we need to have people teaching math who have used the math in real world experience and can relate the theory and formula to actual situations. Tracking, in the negative, must go and be replaced by preparation for the real world.

Vacation video

This video is of our cabin at Valhalla. We have been staying at this resort in Estes Park over the last 15 years. It is a wonderful location and the owners keep everything neat, clean and quiet. We highly recommend spending time here if you travel to Estes Park. It is also very close to the Dunraven which is an excellent place to eat! Another must do in Estes Park. We also highly recommend the Methodist Church for services and that is not just because we are United Methodists. We were in Cabin 9 which is the original home built in this area of Estes Park, 1904 was the year. The cabin has been updated and would sleep a small army but keep in mind there are only two bathrooms. This was the first of what we hope will be regular family gatherings to celebrate special times (Vicki and I will be married 35 years this June 21) but every time we can all be together is special.

St. Francis

Our pastor started a series of sermons on St. Francis. I never thought I would hear a sermon series in a Protestant church based on a Roman Catholic! That is true progress, believers are believers no matter the church title. We will be examining the ideas found in the prayer of St. Francis even though St. Francis didn't write the prayer (written in 1912??) the writing is based on his ideas. The prayer is as follows:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

I urge you to take time to read over these words and contemplate their meaning in your life.

Reflection

I'm not one who enjoys having a picture taken let alone displayed but this image so captures who I am and what I enjoy that I included it. There is truly nothing like sitting in the mountains and contemplating a creator God who made all this. No random accident could have placed things in such order and something from nothing just doesn't hold water with those who study physics or math. As we continue this Holy Week walk may your thoughts return to the One who made all this and so deeply desires relationship with us that He gave His life that we might, through Him, have eternal life. I encourage all to read scripture in light of God reaching out to us to establish a relationship where all things are made new. May the blessings of this Easter season not be lost because your focus is on a rabbit, new clothes, or finding the right spiral glazed ham for the dinner. May your focus be on the One who makes all things new. God bless!

Estes Park

Great hike to Bierstadt Lake. Temperature was great, sun was out and there were very few people. Ate dinner at the Dunraven Inn. Local place with outstanding food and service. It is truly one the must visit places in Estes Park. We ran into a small herd of mountain sheep just outside the town.

Gem Lake Trail

Hike to Gem Lake (RMNP). Great weather, great day. Lots of snow at elevations where it is usually gone by now. Elk, deer and mountain sheep abound.

Taize'

During Lent our church is having a Wednesday service that is very different from the noise of most Sunday mornings in America. The service is as follows:

Bell (3 rings) calls us to worship.

• Our pastor welcomes us, explains the service and its history.
• First Hymn: Glory to God

Glory to God, Glory to God
Glory in the Highest
Glory to God, Glory to God
Alleluia, Alleluia

• Psalm 139 read responsively, Pastor Phillips reads the odd numbered verses and we respond with the even number verses. (very powerful)
• Second Hymn: It is Good to Trust

It is Good to Trust in the Lord our God,
Trust and Hope in the Lord our God.

• SILENCE for REFLECTION (no noise!, no background music, silence!!!)
• Third Hymn: Bless the Lord

Bless the Lord, My Soul,
And Bless God's Holy Name.
Bless the Lord, My Soul,
Who leads me into Life.

• Gospel Reading: John 13: 1-17 (different each week)
• Fourth Hymn: Wait For the Lord

Wait For the Lord,
Whose Day is Near.
Wait for the Lord;
Be Strong, Take Heart!

• Silence
  
• Fifth Hymn: Come and Fill

Come and fill our hearts with Your peace.
You alone, O Lord, are Holy
Come and fill our hearts with Your peace,
Alleluia!

• Prayer
• The Lord's Prayer
• Sixth Hymn: In the Lord

In the Lord I'll be ever Thankful
In the Lord I will rejoice!
Look to God, do not be afraid.
Lift up your voices,
the Lord is near;
lift up your voices,
the Lord is near.

• Benediction
• Passing the Peace of Christ

Amen.

Newark Restaurant

Forgot to mention, should you ever travel to Newark, N.J. you must eat at Mix 27. Small in size but the food is outstanding. You will not be disappointed.

Art

Just spent four days in Newark, New Jersey being immersed in American Art. The Winslow Homer to the left is just one example of the various works we examined. What an opportunity to soak up the beauty, the symbolism, and the history that is part of us. If you ever have time to spend in Newark, please don't miss their museum. It is small but the collection is quite a mixture and you will not be disappointed.

Quote: This is classic!

It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.

- Donald Rumsfeld

And we had this man as Sec. of Defense?????

Worldview

I have been watching a DVD series in Sunday School. Charles Colson and Rick Warren discuss the topic of worldview and how important a Christian worldview is to the health of our faith and our nation. I'm not going to write about the details because so many people in our nation put up barriers as soon as they hear the names of Colson and Warren. Much like the uproar over the "anti-abortion" ad by Focus on the Family during the Superbowl. What drivel! The "Women's Media Center president, Jehmu Greene, said the tackle showed an undercurrent of violence against women." Wow, we can beat the crap out of 90 year old Betty White and Abe Vigoda, we can make women sex objects (go daddy) without a peep, but dare run a positive message about life and the "other" worldview is all over it. Where was the outcry about abusing the elderly or using sex to sell a product? I truly think what disturbs me most is that many Christians were probably agreeing with the relativist worldview before the Superbowl and secretly were suspicious of the Focus on the Family ad. Anyway, four questions to think about:
1. Where did I come from?
2. Why is the world in such a mess?
3. Is there a solution?
4. What is my purpose?
Think very carefully, what is the connection of question 1 to question 2 and so on? Do you ever wonder why the Darwinian evolutionist supports protecting the spotted owl when Darwin's survival of the fittest dictates the spotted owl should go? They have not thought about their worldview. Do you ever wonder why many evangelical Christians want such harsh punishment systems knowing they have never deterred a crime? They have not thought about their worldview. When your grandparents talk about the "good old days" when people in small towns all held similar values it doesn't mean that all those people were "born again" Christians but, for the most part, they all carried the same moral training and like it or not, that training came from the local church. And what is even stranger, it wasn't one of those mega-churches, seeker churches, independent churches, make up your own name church, or come as you are churches. It was probably some form of Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian or, horror of horrors, Methodist (I am one of those.). They taught all who came similar moral anchors that held our society together. You didn't have to publicly testify that on day, month, year, I accepted Jesus Christ. It was thought we are all sinners on a journey to know the Truth that will set us free. I must confess that I believed you had to know the exact the moment you accepted Christ or it didn't count for squat. Wrong! People I now call friends, make me ashamed of my maturity in Christ, they simply grew up in the faith and cannot remember an exact moment they said, "I believe." We lost that Christian worldview, we let the relativists bombard us with inconsistent thought, and make us doubt. Carefully trace your answers, are they consistent, what is the logical extreme of your answer, what is the worst case direction your answer can lead? Have fun! Better have something for a headache. Thinking is tough!

Basic Training

I have been involved in a 'Basic Training' class at church since September. Each Saturday for 2 hours a group of men gather, and discuss our homework for the week. We have books to read, Scripture to memorize, a bible study and questions to answer. We are currently in a module where we get to examine how we relate to our wives. In one chapter of Gary Smalley's book we had to answer 30 questions and then grade ourselves. I'll just give a few examples:
1. Do you make your wife feel good about herself?
2. Does your face spontaneously break into a smile when you see your wife?
3. Can you accept your wife as she is instead of having several plans to redo her?
4. Do you enjoy introducing your wife to your friends and acquaintances?
5. Do you believe you know at least five of your wife's major needs AND how to meet those needs in a skillful way?
6. Does your wife feel she's more important than anyone or anything else in your life other than God?
I'll stop but imagine answering 24 more of these thought-provoking questions. What a book, page after page that can make a marriage better because it makes me quit thinking about myself first and my wife second.

Winter Storm

No school, the phone call that starts to wheels in motion, teachers to contact, sidewalks to clear, and snowshoes to use! I love walking through Mt. Hope and these are a collection of photos from this morning that show the peaceful setting that God through His weather can create.