Another week come and gone

Another week has passed me by. I cannot say I have much to show for it. I have 5 pages of notes from a conference, a few new books, a paycheck, a dirty apartment, a positive professional evaluation, and lots of memories. Another 40 years of this would be perfect...

I am having a hard time deciding what I want to do next year. While contracts have not come out yet, I have no reason to think I will not be getting a contract from my school. Today, when I left my principal's office, she said "thanks for all you do." The assistant principal said "and stay one more year!" The principal responded to him, "what do you mean stay one more year? I hope he stays several more." That was nice to hear! I have a few other schools who have asked me to come to their campus. It is nice to be wanted! At the same time, I have so many other things in life I would love to do. I have no idea what I want to do in a year.

Lost in Austin Again

I returned to Austin this week after a night in Midland. Last week I was here for the Inclusion Works! conference. It was an excellent conference about special education. This week I am here for a conference on Title I. We are staying at the Hilton at Bergstrom Airport. According to my mother, this building was formerly the strategic air command center during Vietnam and Desert Storm. These photos would seem to agree with her.

Satellites in my eye

Two nights ago, the Navy shot down a satellite that was going to crash. It contained a chemical called hydrazine. The Navy said that the satellite needed to be shot down so that the hydrazine would be destroyed before returning to the earth. It is toxic when inhaled, however only one person has ever died from it. Now it is going to form nitrogen gas and water. It did make for a sweet video!

Just an Ordinary, Average Guy

Joe Walsh sang a song about being just an ordinary, average guy. A guy who has to pickup dog do, drinks beer with friends, and drives a Dodge. This past Sunday, the preacher at my church talked about being Average, and how that is a good thing. Sadly, our closing hymn was not Joe Walsh.

In the sermon, the pastor said that it is OK for us to be average. That God called average people, like Moses, Gideon, and Jeremiah's, to do his work. In part of his message, he said that it is OK that we may not read the latest Max Lucado book or attend the latest spiritual conference. That perhaps it is better that we look to the tax collector than the pharisee for how to approach God. However, I felt that he ended his message short. I will continue with my thoughts.

God does call ordinary people. Few people who are called by God are called because of their righteousness or greatness. Moses was called after killing an Egyptian and running from his home. Levi/Matthew was called despite being a tax collector. Paul was called despite being in his words, "the biggest sinner of all." Peter and James were called despite being fishermen. These ordinary people became followers of God and become righteous by the grace of God. Not because of what they did, but because they put their faith in God and trusted him.

But these ordinary people didn't stay ordinary! They did extraordinary things for God. Moses led God's people across the desert to the Holy Land. Paul, Peter, James, and Matthew became leaders of The Way, taking the Word to new places and were willing to become martyrs for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus tells us that we will not be ordinary people. People will hate us, we will have to leave our family behind, we will do things greater than he did. But we do not do it on our own or alone. Jesus sent us the Spirit to dwell in us and to guide us. This promise to the Disciples applies to all who place their faith in Christ and pick up their cross and follow.

However, even though we are called to something higher and are made righteous with Christ, we are not to boast of what we have done. The tax collector is still our model for how to approach God. Humbly approaching God saying "God be merciful to me a sinner." We are only saved by the grace of God. We must approach God with the knowledge that our extraordinary life is a result of Christ's work on the cross. An act of selflessness and love we could never even dream of matching.

So being average is good. God calls average people. But don't stay average! God calls average people to do above average things by their living below average lives.

Ground Control to Major Tom

Tonight, I saw the space station and space shuttle. They passed over Midland tonight, moving from northwest to southeast. They were visible for 5 minutes. It isn't much, just a bright light in the sky, but it is neat knowing that there were 10 astronauts in there looking down at me.

Hit the road, Jack!

That's just about what my principal told me! I am being sent to Austin for two conferences this coming week. I will be in Austin from the 20th through the 27th. The first conference is called Inclusion Works! It is a workshop on special education. Inclusion means including special education students in regular classroom environments. I am playing a part in that. This year I am co-teaching. Meaning I have a special education teacher with me in my classroom. We have no direction in what we are doing. We asked for training at the beginning of the year and this is our training. The second conference is called Change Summit II. I am not sure what is meant by the name. It is a conference for Title I schools. Title I means that we have a large population of students who are low-SES. It is measured using the free or reduced lunch forms. My school is 40+% free or reduced lunch. It is three days with each day focusing on a different topic. Day 1 is The Role of Assessment in a PLC. Day 2 is Building Background Knowledge for Academic Acheivement. Day 3 is Discipline and Working with Parents. I am not sure what either conference will entail, but I am looking forward to them.

All in the Family

All in the Family was a TV sitcom in the 70's. I don't think I have ever seen it.

The dictionary has many definitions for family.

1.	parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not.

2.	the children of one person or one couple collectively: We want a large family.

3.	the spouse and children of one person: We're taking the family on vacation next week.

4.	any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins: to marry into a socially prominent family.

5.	all those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor.

Family has many different connotations that are used by people. People live with their family (1). People often marry to start a family (2). People work to support their family (3). We gather for dinner with family (4) on holidays. And of course, the family (5) reunion. When I think of my family, I usually only think of the first definition. My family consists of my parents, grandparents, and brother. These are the people who I grew up with, who took care of me, and continue to care for me.

When I think of my extended family, I don't really use any of these definitions. My extended family would be the reverse of fifth definition. My extended family are the ancestors of me. These are the people I am directly related to, my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents, etc... I do not consider aunts and uncles and cousins to be my family. My uncle is part of my dad's family, but he is not in my family. Is this harsh?

I do not think so. I think it is a reality. A reality for me at least. I did not grow up with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I grew up with my immediate family. I had to talk to aunts and uncles on Christmas and saw them once every fews years. I do not know these people.

Recently I spent some time with my grandfather. He was showing me an old photo album. I enjoyed seeing the photos of my dad when he was younger and my grandparents when they were younger. He then moved into the old photos and news clippings from the family in Iowa. His family (and my grandmother's) lived in Iowa for over 100 years and continue to live in southern Iowa. I really did not care much about people who were aunts, uncles, or cousins. But when he showed me pictures or articles about my great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents, I was facinated. I am sure this is because of my views of "extended family," but I noticed that family really is important to me, but I have a different definition than some people.

My family is a direct link to my past. I know that each member of my family has a family that is not the same as mine. But my family is my family.

Who is in your family?

Don't do as I do.

In a previous post, I talked about how I often make observations about people in my professions doing things I do not like and make note of these things. This is to not be nit-picky, but so that I do not do the same thing in the future. This started in college when I attended a valve distributors show at A&M. The show was obviously designed for the vendors and clients, but my professor was in charge of the show and wanted us to attend. He registered us and we had official name tags and everything. Upon arrival at the show, vendors would see that I was a student (it was on the name tag) and immediately have nothing to do with me. I had no money, so no attention was given. We were there to get to learn about the industry since we would be working with these people in just a year or two. I only had one vendor who would even give me the time of day. I spoke with my dad about this and he told me "Remember how it felt, and when you are in their position, act accordingly." That was some sound advise.

Today, I added a few tidbits of etiquette to my toolbox.

• If you are in a position of leadership and meeting people you have never met before, introduce yourself

• If you are in a position of leadership and need to know some information about people below you, go to the people who know the info. Don't waste everyones time by demanding the answer from those who don't know.

• If you are in a position of leadership and upset with someone else in leadership, don't try to sabotage everyone else's work just to "get back" at that person.

• If you are in a position of leadership and assign people to do a job, give them the information they need to complete their task.

Remember how it felt and when you are in their position, act accordingly.

Climbing the Corporate Ladder

I am continuing building my portfolio of experiences in my professional career. This week, it was attempting to continue working on a team project when the person overseeing the team changes. This assignment began last semester. The assignment would primarily affect 2 campus, but 2 other campus would only see a minor change. The two campus that would not really be affected by the change did not feel that it was major enough to need to join the team. They gave their consent to any decision we made. The team was made up of two people from the two main campuses and a date was set to meet and complete the assignment. Before that date occurred, the district person overseeing our team was transfered and no one replaced the position. We canceled our date until we could find out what was happening. We met with the former overseer who said that as long as both campus agreed to the changes, no district approval was needed. We set today as our date to meet. Subs were arranged and everything seemed ready to go until yesterday afternoon when someone from the district was found to oversee our team. They wouldn't let us meet until people from all campus could meet. This was unnecessary and had already been resolved. When we left yesterday, we were "on hold." We arrived this morning, and thanks to some last minute phone calls by my boss, we were given the green light. The reason we couldn't meet was because the overseer had several questions that they wanted answered, but never bothered to ask the team members! Today, while working on the assignment, several people stopped by asking why the other two schools weren't there. We told them that this was taken care of several weeks ago. The two schools were not going to be impacted and already gave their consent. The assignment was completed, and I added a new experience to my portfolio. So overseers, if you have a question about your teams, ask them!

Life Mimics Art

Two friends of mine are going on vacation to Bangkok. This morning they were in Seoul on a layover. I was talking to him on the internet and he was joking about people walking the wrong way on moving sidewalks. I told him that I had seen a Donald Duck cartoon about this. While searching for the cartoon, I found that life mimics art.



Now that's funny.

Stranger in a Strange Land

I often feel like a stranger in a strange land. I have rarely felt like I was in a place I belong. I rarely feel like things I am doing are things that I completely agree with. When I look at society, I feel almost polar opposite of what is normal. As you know, the outdoors is a huge part of my life. It is what I long for and is where I am most comfortable. However, I am in disagreement philosophically with a large portion of those who share the outdoors with me. I love music. I am almost always listening to music. However, I am often in disagreement philosophically with the music I listen to. Yet I keep listening! I do not think I have ever found a political party or politician that I really agreed with. I disagree philosophically with society. Our society is focused on consumerism, sex, and wealth. I do not live for any of these things.

I imagine most of us could agree with this. Few of us would feel like we fit in with everyone around us. Most of us continue to seek to find our place in the world and our never satisfied.

God tells us that this world is only temporary. The Bible tells us that we are made for a different place, this is not our home. But this world was made by God. It was corrupted by man, but it is still God's creation. I will cherish His creation while preparing for my future home. I am a stranger in a strange land.

For Dust You Came And To Dust You Shall Return

Psalm 51

1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. It is a time to reflect on our mortality and the necessity of a Savior. I attended a service tonight at the United Methodist Church I am a member of. The pastor's sermon centered on Psalm 51 and 2 Samuel 12. In 2 Samuel 12, David is confronted by Nathan about David's adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. After being told a story of a rich man stealing from a poor man, David says the rich man must die. Nathan then says "You are the rich man!" David realizes what he has done and acknowledges his sin before the Lord. God grants mercy on David, but the child of David and Bathsheba dies. While the child is sick, David fasted and wept. Upon learning the child dies, David rises, dresses himself, worships the Lord, and eats again.

All of us have and continue to sin. Our sins are against other humans and against the Lord. We deserve death for our iniquities. Tonight on Ash Wednesday, we acknowledge this. But the story is not over! Jesus Christ came to Earth to die in our place. By His sacrificial death on a cross, Christ opened the lifegates by dying in our place. Our sins, though many, are forgiven by God because of what Christ did. All we must do is repent and believe the gospel. Gospel, meaning good news, is that Christ died for us, while still sinners, so that we may be reconciled with God, become one of God's children, and live a life for his glory.

When we become God's children, we are changed. The Holy Spirit, the very spirit of God, enters into our heart. We are called to live for him. Your sin is no longer who you are. You are free from it. Repent! Turn away from the sin! It is a hard battle, but one worth pursuing. Oh to long for the joy of not having sin in my life!

During the imposition of ashes, when the pastor places ashes on your forehead, the traditional saying is "from dust you came and to dust you shall return." However, my pastor said "Repent, and believe the gospel." What welcoming words! My sins, though many, can be forgiven. Just repent and believe the gospel! Praise the Lord for granting to me grace daily, so that I may forgive myself for the sins that he has already forgiven.

Time keeps on tickin'

Time is always marching on. It is hard to believe it is already February. In just 4 months, I will be preparing to leave for Alaska. In 3 months I will be wrapping up another semester of teaching. In 2 months, I will be another year older. In 1 month, I will be getting ready for a hiking trip during spring break. In 30 minutes, I will be asleep.

All Creation Waits

As you may have seen from my writings, I love being outside. Given the opportunity, I would be outdoors than stuck inside. I enjoy reading books and articles about people's adventures outside, one of my favorite authors being Lawrence Millman. Most of his writings are about the Arctic regions. However, like other writers of the outdoors, such as Edward Abbey, Millman often writes poorly of Christianity and of God. It is often written that Christian missionaries have destroyed native cultures and that God has nothing to do with nature. It would be hard to defend the actions of some missionaries. The culture of the Native Americans was destroyed by the government and missionaries in an effort to "civilize" the people. An atrocity which we can never correct has been committed by our country and the affects are still felt today. However, I would argue the complete opposite about God's role in nature. The following are excerts from Abbey's Desert Solitaire.

"An increasingly pagan and hedonistic people (thank God!), we are learning finally that the forests and mountains and desert canyons are holier than our churches. Therefore let us behave accordingly" (p. 60).

"'Ralph Newcomb', I say, 'do you believe in God?'
'Who?' he says.
'Who?'
'Who.'
'You said it,' I say" (p. 180).

"'Newcomb, for godsake where do we come from?'
'Who knows?'
'Where are we going?'
'Who cares?'
'Who?'
'Who'" (p. 185).

My love of nature comes because of my knowledge that it is God's creation. When I am in nature, I see the work of God and praise him. Being in nature makes me want to thank God even more than I already do. When we look in the Bible, we find that this is exactly what should happen. Paul writes in Romans 10 that the songs of praise that nature sings to God proclaims to us that God is real. He quotes Psalm 19, which reads

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

Paul, in Romans 10, writes that the people have heard of God because he is shown to us by creation. There are of course many other ways we see God, but one way is by creation's praise. In another Psalm, # 148, we see that all of creation sings praises to God, in the same way that we do.

1 Praise the Lord. 2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, 8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, 9 you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, 11 kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, 12 young men and maidens, old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. 14 He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart.

God gave us creation. In Genesis 1 He gives dominion to man of all creation. But that comes with a great responsibility. God's gift to us does not mean that it is our job to pave the world and turn all usable space into cities and strip malls. Jesus tells us that God cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. They do not live on asphalt! Wilderness is important to us. It shows us God. It returns us to what is important in life. It is no coincidence that Jesus tells us to look to wilderness to see what is important in life. That worrying about tomorrow is not necessary. Even Christ retreats to the wilderness to spend time with the Father.

If you have not experienced God's creation, go out and see it. Go to a national park and spend the night under the stars. Go to a local park and enjoy the birds and the animals. Conserve our natural resources so that the birds of the air can eat and the lilies of the field will be beautiful. Creation is singing of the glories of God. Join them!

Remember this at your Super Bowl Parties!

Beware the bowl: Double dipping spreads bacteria

Story Highlights

• Clemson students examined effects of double dipping
  
• 3-6 double dips spread 10,000 bacteria from eater's mouth to remaining dip
  
• Research didn't get into the risk behind bacteria transfer

"I like to say it's like kissing everybody at the party -- if you're double dipping, you're putting some of your bacteria in that dip," Dawson said.


http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/01/double.dipping.ap/index.html


So only double dip if you are at a party of hot people and you want to kiss everyone there!