Opus 2011-278, More Money for Education?

I am a teacher in the California public schools.  One of the mantras of public education is “more money for the children.”  The teachers’ unions seem to think that there is a never ending source of funds that they can draw from without being required to put their own house in order. 

I never vote for increased taxes or any other type of funding for education.  There is already plenty of money in the system.  It is just being spent foolishly.

Let me give some examples that came up in our faculty meeting this week.

The first up on our agenda was a counseling service that has permanent residence on our campus.  They are not available to all students, only to those who are on Medi-Cal.  In other words, it is an extension of welfare, your tax dollars at work.  I am sure that they do some good work but a lot of your tax dollars have been spent remodeling a portion of our campus and paying salaries to offer counseling services.  Is that what public schools are for?  Not in my book.

RTI.  This is brand new this year.  Six people on campus were payed to go to special training and will be going again.  That cost money.  The consultants that were doing the training were paid.  The consulting firm was paid.  We had a nice handout that hints at more to come.  This is not free.  One of the brilliant points was that we need to avoid negative consequences and smile more.  Excuse me, didn’t I hear that last year?  And the year before?  And the year before?  Next time you are being robbed at gun point, make sure you smile.

English language learners had a presentation.  We have a fully paid teacher who is given 2/3 of her day to work with the English language learners.  Today she showed us the old party game in which you have the first person write a noun, fold the paper, have the second person write a verb, fold the paper, and so on.  This is a copyrighted idea called Foldables®.  This is cutting edge educational theory at work.

Then we had a presentation of Thinking Maps®.  Sounds good, right?  Who doesn’t want the kids thinking.  This cutting edge innovation can be found in any book on management under titles like “flow charts.”  We have an expensive, glossy notebook that shows us all these great diagrams.  The one that the rest of the world calls a flow chart is labeled, “Flow map.”  And it is copyrighted.  Again we had many people sent to training and fees paid for the use of this innovate thinking.

Then we had a session pushing cooperative learning.  For the 25th year in a row we were told how effective is it to let the kids work in groups of four with one advanced student, one slow student and two average students.  It hasn’t worked in 25 years but this year is different.  Suddenly the kids that are so good at copying the advanced student are going to be motivated to excel.  We are expected to access an expensive data processing program the district has and process all kinds of data to implement this revolutionary idea.

Then we have the Bully Prevention Curriculum.  Again we have a glossy notebook with a DVD to help us deal with this crippling problem.  We had an assembly with a multimedia presentation where we learned that civilization is coming to an end because of “cyber-bullying.”  The kids who are not supposed to have their phones turned on at school are text messaging insulting remarks to each other.  You can imagine what this is doing to self esteem.  Again we see large amounts of money being spent on this.

None of these have much to do with learning the basics to succeed in life.  All of them cost big bucks.  At the same time we don’t have enough money for books and supplies.  We are being told that we have to eliminate one teaching position at our school which will disrupt most of the students in two grades and cause teachers to start over again after five weeks.  Last year the teachers got a pay cut and increased cost in benefits.  And this poverty stricken district just had the superintendent of schools retiring at $275,000.

No, education does not need more money.  They, we, need to get their houses in order.  The good news is that you vote on your local school board, but that is a topic for another day.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-277, Bewitched by I Love Lucy

Every once in awhile I read some comments that show concern for the growth of the occult in our society.  People trace it back to the Ouija board parlor game and such TV shows as “Bewitched.”  Some even get heretical enough to question The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings.

I see the issue.  I agree we have a problem.  I have a question though.  Which witch was worse, Samantha or Lucy?  Samantha introduced witches into our homes.  She was an attractive, sensitive, well meaning wife and mother.  What is not to like?  All witches can’t be like her mother, can they?  We need to give witches a chance, right?

I have a bigger problem with the sitcom, “I Love Lucy.”  The full disclosure is that I don’t like slap-stick comedy.  I am more into George Burns the Lucy.  I like Bill Cosby more than the Three Stooges.  I will take the dry one-liners.  You can have the pie in the face.

Having said that there is still a problem.  Lucy and programs like it made a joke out of sin, poor character and bad choices.  Every week Lucy would lie, cheat or steal.  Then would come more lies to cover it up.  Eventually Ricky would catch on and confront her.  We would have a pseudo-repentance and Ricky of course would forgive.  Next week, more of the same.  We learned that sin was funny and that God, played by Ricky, was really pretty easy to fool.

One desensitized to the occult.  One desensitized to sin.  In the eyes of God, both are major issues. 

Take care with what you feed your mind and soul.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-276, Monday Pulpit: PM

When I was in the army one of the big themes was PM or Preventative Maintenance.  Sunday the pastor hit on that theme.

I don’t have my notes in front of me but I have been thinking about the sermon.  One of the comments he made was that we need to make our decisions before we need to make a decision.

His topic was making choices and how God gives us free will through the power of the Holy Spirit and prevenient grace.  Yes, for you who are into extreme predestination, we Arminians also believe that we cannot do anything in our own power.  The difference is that we believe God intervenes in such a way to allow us the ability to choose.

The point was that we need to prepare for life by deciding what the laws and principles will be that we will follow.  Thus when we are faced with certain decisions and temptations we don’t even need to think about it.  We have already decided our foundation.  It becomes a no-brainer.  Thus if for some strange reason I can’t imagine, if I am ever propositioned by a woman to compromise my marriage covenant, there is no decision to make.  Just pass along what has already been decided. 

So lay the foundations.  Make the decisions.  Know where you stand.  It makes it much easier to get through the day.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-275, Healthy Insights: Obesity is Not the Disease

I recently had what I hope is a breakthrough.  At least is was an insight.  I decided that I did not need to save some money.

My wife likes to go out to eat.  I don’t mind but it is not a big issue for me.  I think it has to do with being served.  So we went out and picked a restaurant based on the coupons we had.  I have been trying to control my diabetes and am doing well.  One of the methods of control is rooted in self control in the area of food.  So here I am going over the nutritional guide.  I am looking at calories and carbohydrates and balancing them against enjoyment and satisfaction.  The waitress is standing there and the pressure is on.  My wife wants to know what I am ordering so she can get the best deal with her coupons.  What do I do?

I threw her a curve ball.  I ordered a bowl of soup.  I was so tempted by all of the dinner offerings:  Lemon pepper tilapia, club sandwiches with fries, country fried steak.  But I went for the soup.  140 calories as compared to 800 and counting.  She looked a little shocked.  She was looking forward to getting her meal for free.  When the check came it was less than it would have been anyway but she thought she had been betrayed.

The insight was in realizing that I could not afford to save money.  I did not need to eat because we had a coupon.  The breakthrough began with the order.  It continued when I did not eat the bread or any crackers.  I was not really there to eat.  I was there to socialize and listen.

So I sat and listened.  You husbands know of what I speak.  I nodded at the right places.  I muttered a few sounds when it seemed appropriate.  I even ventured a question on occasion.  And I enjoyed my soup.  It was a good time.  My wife got to vent.  I got to serve.  My body got to avoid storing extra calories.

The problem people have is not obesity, that is a symptom.  The problem is appetite.  We are a culture that has given in to the idea that if we want it we should have it, and by jingo, we WILL have it.  As usual, God has an opinion here.  Let’s look at the Word, first in the KJV:

(Philippians 3:19 KJV)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

The NASB gives it with “appetite” instead of “belly” in case you missed the point.

(Philippians 3:19 NASB)  whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

We are surrounded by goodies.  Unfortunately those goodies are really badies.  They are often tremendous and wonderful but they are designed by God to be controlled, not control.  Satan tries to get us to reverse that God-given order.

(2 Peter 2:19 KJV)  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

I have always liked the way the old Living Bible paraphrased the end of that verse.

“For a man is a slave to whatever controls him.”

I am not really concerned about losing weight.  That is a symptom.  The disease is a lack of self control.  I want my life and health to reflect the God I serve.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-274, Should-a-Beens: “Ask not what your church can do for you...”

One of the great sound bites of history is the comment of John F. Kennedy when he challenged a generation to “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.”  It was a great moment.  Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears and short attention spans.

But it is a great principle.  I think it would do us well to rephrase it like this, “Ask not what your ________ can do for you, but ask what you can do for your ________.”  Fill in the blank.  I would suggest “church” as a good example.  We have a large mass of people on spiritual vacation, looking for the amusement church that has the best heavenly thrill rides.  They talk about how a church is not meeting their needs.  They have a long list of things the church should be doing.  They want great preaching, a singles program or youth program depending on their age.  They want a nursery and ample parking.  A/C is assumed and of course you don’t want too many old people or uncomfortable seating arrangements.  They totally miss that the spiritual gifts are given out so they can serve, not so they can be served.

The principle is that we are to give, not take.  It applies to all areas of our life.  If you don’t want to put “church” in the blank, how about “wife”? 

Remember we are called to be saints, servants, salt and light.  We are not called to be victims, critics or sponges.  Where do you fit on the spectrum?

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-273, House Cleaning and Senate Sanitation

Most people have seen the billboard of George Bush waving and smiling and asking, “Miss me yet?”  What if the election had gone a different way.  Would we be better off with Hillary? 

Before you answer, ask yourself if her goals would have been any different.  She might nit pick but I don’t see her regretting Obamacare except that she wanted it to be called Hillarycare.  And it was.  But then it didn’t pass.

Think about it.  She might have been more competent and seen the big picture.  She might have known how to avoid alienating so many people.  She might have been even more successful than Obama and things would be worse. 

Remember when Bill Clinton was elected and conservatives were in despair?  What happened?  Two years later there was a major tide in the other direction.  We don’t have a customer service department where we can return the official elected.  We are not a parliamentary system.  We need to wait two or four years and then show a little discernment.

God has a sense of humor.  He knows that we got what a majority of us wanted.  It is time to stop laughing and get serious.

So keep your chin up.  Keep politicking.  More important, keep praying.  If you study the history of the kingdom of Judah, they went through cycles of disobedience and suffering followed by revival and strength.  Get your own house in order and next year we can work on the House of Representatives, the White House and the Senate’s house.  Let’s at least be a people who learn from our mistakes.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-272, Driscoll on Seekers

Mark Driscoll made another interesting comment in his conference talk.  He said that Calvinists talking about being “seeker friendly” is strange since they don’t believe in “seekers.”  He pointed out that it is more a case of the Holy Spirit going out and chasing down rebels than people coming to Jesus.

He was speaking tongue-in-cheek and making his point by the humor of honesty.  He portrays presenting the gospel as simply putting the truth out there so that those who have already been chosen can respond.  It is like being at a lottery and announcing the winning ticket number.  You may have bought a ticket but a cousin of the organizer somehow ended up with the big reward.  The joke seems to be on all the other people who showed up thinking there was something there for them.

I am sorry.  This view of the sovereignty of God makes Him a clown trying to invent games to amuse Himself.  It starts at a worthy, Biblical place and turns an eternal truth into a cruel game.  Of course the people who preach this the strongest assume that they are of the elect.  They are always rejoicing at being chosen.  It is kind of like going into a cancer ward and rejoicing loudly about being healthy.

The Gospel is for everyone.

(John 3:16 KJV)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus clearly stated that eternal life was offered to “whosoever” not “who-so-chosen.”

homo unius libri