So I didn’t really post last week except about what I wanted to talk over. However, things came up (like sick family) so I didn’t. I also don’t know if I will be able to post much this week. So, here are some snippets for our sound bite culture.
*I’m heading to Springfield, IL with my wife and daughter. I am looking forward to this and dreading it at the same time. I look forward to getting away from home and hoping to spend time with my family without work or school. I am dreading it because my 2 year old daughter is getting where she wants to protest every little thing you want her to do. So, any ideas as to what we can do in Springfield that will be fun and allow my daughter roam free.
*I have had a burst of older games that I am looking forward too. With Left 4 Dead, Darksiders, Alan Wake, plus a bunch of other games I have yet to complete… AND the fact that I will get Dragons Age tonight means that there is plenty of gaming for me to do before Skyrim/Battlefield 3.
*I hate McDonald's. A sign that things economically aren’t getting better is when Ronald switches the cup on my shakes. Originally, large shakes were put into large soda cups but, now they are put into the “large” McCafe cups (or what I like to call, McCrap). The problem is that the “large” McCrap cup is equal to a medium soda cup. That is the kind of inflationary effects we need to track!
*Just to get you up on your Christian Theology. You will not spend eternity in heaven if you are a believer. Eternity is where the elect are on a renewed Earth with Christ as Sovereign. So, no choirs or become angels or anything else like that. Just renewed humanity living on a renewed Earth. Actually, if you want a really good picture of what life will be like see the Prefall state of the Earth and Man in Genesis.
*It is sad to see Rob Bell’s promo video for his new book. I like Rob but Universalism is heresy and has been for roughly 2,000 years. He is a great communicator but apparently pleasing people is more important than truth. God is love and God does win so love in effect wins but, sometimes love is giving your child their inheritance and letting them go. The excitement of the Father in the parable of the lost son is from the fact that his son returned… not all sons do. God is love but he is also just. God is like the wind but He is also like a rock. You can’t split off one half of Him because you don’t like it.
*It amazes me the level of feedback I got from people on tumblr over the Wisconsin post. It was also interesting that the negative feedback was from teachers or from those studying to be teachers, while the positive came from people who were outside of education. I have some sub points on this…
** Your students will judge you if their education prevents them from getting a job because it was shipped over seas due to the lack of manpower available. Our science and math grads are way below those of other industrialized nations and emerging markets. So, if you think that our poor ranking among other nations in education doesn’t matter, then you need to get a private sector job and watch. Companies look for people of quality. If we are not putting out the best then we will not have the best opportunities. So, either stop throwing a fit and do whatever you have to in order to meet the challenge or give up and do what some Michigan schools are doing by teaching their students how to ask “Would you like fries with that.”
** Teachers ARE NOT TRUE PROFESSIONALS. 1. ALL teachers (private and public… add to this home school) do not have to have a specialized degree in order to practice their art. Lawyers do, Doctors do, hell even Nurses do, but not teachers. 2. There is no standard form of certification for ALL teachers. There is for the others listed above. Teacher certification varies state to state and some places do not require any certification in order to teach. 3. There is no form of Internship or Apprenticeship for Teachers. I’m just going to say right now… one semester of student teaching does not qualify or match the measures that Doctors or even Lawyers (they typically have to work from a junior partner to full partner and have to get cases under their belts before striking out on their own… this is years not months). The Medical industry’s requirement of residency outstrips any practicum students do while in educational programs…
Now with this I believe teachers do have a very important role and SHOULD be meeting these items but to believe they are on the professional level with a doctor or lawyers at present is ridiculous. Also, I’m not using the generic definition of professional where you are a “professional” because you get paid for it.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sad Face
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Biblically Can Spirits be Human?
A while back I started a series on my facebook about different theological questions. I stopped because mainly because I could find many people, even friends who couldn’t think systematically (there is a difference between being able to remember conclusions form systematic theology and employing systematic theology.). Because it was they didn’t understand that type of thinking it ended up either being people reiterating whatever someone else’s study had concluded or they would deflect. Not only that but I have issues with keep time frames and this particular thing is something I have wrestled with for about 3 years.
Why is this an issue? Well here has been a rise in the idea of paranormal investigation. Thanks to shows like Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, and Ghost Adventures, there has been a rise in the awareness of these groups. Grant of Ghost Hunters is a professing Christian but their show (especially in the early seasons) dabbles with various pagan beliefs. Paranormal State is a mixture of Catholicism and mysticism. Ghost Adventures also seems to play to mysticism. So what exactly is an Evangelical to think?
I have never addressed this in the blog, but I have experience with exorcism. I interned and worked in the Personal Ministry for my bible college (Personal Ministry = a mix of counseling and exorcism). I spent two years working for William Sudduth who is a full time speaker and exorcist (http://www.ramministry.org/). In fact if you look at Bill’s first book you will see my name in the acknowledgements (http://www.amazon.com/So-Free—Depth-Deliverance-Healing/dp/0800794192/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298575931&sr=8-1#reader_0800794192 it’s on page 14). So, I have some experience. Not only that but through my life I have experienced things that could be explained as a haunting.
When I was about to go to Bible College, a friend of mine at the time was going to a local college. She and her roommate started having weird things going on. The TV would go on and off, so would the radio, incense would burn in a holder without being lit. It started to really freak her out. So, I offered to come clear the room and bless it. I did this and it stuck for about 4 months (I told the girls not to do anything sinful in the room as that was a way to reopen the door to the spirit… needless to say.). Looking back now, the issue was that there was something attached to my friend’s roommate.
About 8 years later, I saw an episode of Ghost Hunters at a couple’s house we knew from our then church. Traditionally you are taught in Pentecostal circles that anything like a ghost etc, is really a demon. So, I was interested in their methodology. I also began reading up on some websites and have watched almost all their seasons. I listen to a semi-regular podcast to keep up on things in that world. I even watched some of Paranormal State and Ghost Adventures but they annoy me for various reasons. All this made me wonder about the possibility of human spirits being resident.
Scripturally you need only look to Samuel 28:3-19, and Mark 9:2-8. In both cases you have two dead guys talking to someone. Samuel speaks to Saul and Moses speaks to Jesus. Not only that but the verses for talking about mediums that suggest that the writer believes them able to speak to the dead Duet 18:20, Lev. 19:31, 20:6, 20:27. The NT doesn’t directly deal with this but only makes statements implying that the body dies, not the spirit. There are those verses that contradict (2 Cor 5:1-9) and traditional belief of ascension after death. Some brothers believe that those who reside on earth still, are those who haven’t heard the message of Christ. Namely in this case, ingenious people. I don’t know if that is valid or just a way to get around the tradition of it. Whatever is the case, I do think to some degree it is possible for a human spirit to still reside in this world. I don’t have the answers as to why but I think there is enough evidence to say that not every “Ghost” is a demon.
Why is this an issue? Well here has been a rise in the idea of paranormal investigation. Thanks to shows like Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, and Ghost Adventures, there has been a rise in the awareness of these groups. Grant of Ghost Hunters is a professing Christian but their show (especially in the early seasons) dabbles with various pagan beliefs. Paranormal State is a mixture of Catholicism and mysticism. Ghost Adventures also seems to play to mysticism. So what exactly is an Evangelical to think?
I have never addressed this in the blog, but I have experience with exorcism. I interned and worked in the Personal Ministry for my bible college (Personal Ministry = a mix of counseling and exorcism). I spent two years working for William Sudduth who is a full time speaker and exorcist (http://www.ramministry.org/). In fact if you look at Bill’s first book you will see my name in the acknowledgements (http://www.amazon.com/So-Free—Depth-Deliverance-Healing/dp/0800794192/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298575931&sr=8-1#reader_0800794192 it’s on page 14). So, I have some experience. Not only that but through my life I have experienced things that could be explained as a haunting.
When I was about to go to Bible College, a friend of mine at the time was going to a local college. She and her roommate started having weird things going on. The TV would go on and off, so would the radio, incense would burn in a holder without being lit. It started to really freak her out. So, I offered to come clear the room and bless it. I did this and it stuck for about 4 months (I told the girls not to do anything sinful in the room as that was a way to reopen the door to the spirit… needless to say.). Looking back now, the issue was that there was something attached to my friend’s roommate.
About 8 years later, I saw an episode of Ghost Hunters at a couple’s house we knew from our then church. Traditionally you are taught in Pentecostal circles that anything like a ghost etc, is really a demon. So, I was interested in their methodology. I also began reading up on some websites and have watched almost all their seasons. I listen to a semi-regular podcast to keep up on things in that world. I even watched some of Paranormal State and Ghost Adventures but they annoy me for various reasons. All this made me wonder about the possibility of human spirits being resident.
Scripturally you need only look to Samuel 28:3-19, and Mark 9:2-8. In both cases you have two dead guys talking to someone. Samuel speaks to Saul and Moses speaks to Jesus. Not only that but the verses for talking about mediums that suggest that the writer believes them able to speak to the dead Duet 18:20, Lev. 19:31, 20:6, 20:27. The NT doesn’t directly deal with this but only makes statements implying that the body dies, not the spirit. There are those verses that contradict (2 Cor 5:1-9) and traditional belief of ascension after death. Some brothers believe that those who reside on earth still, are those who haven’t heard the message of Christ. Namely in this case, ingenious people. I don’t know if that is valid or just a way to get around the tradition of it. Whatever is the case, I do think to some degree it is possible for a human spirit to still reside in this world. I don’t have the answers as to why but I think there is enough evidence to say that not every “Ghost” is a demon.
Teachers
So, most people by now are aware of what is going on in Wisconsin. Basically you have a governor who is trying to remove collective bargaining rights from public workers specifically in regards to benefits. They would retain the right to collective bargain for salary. First a disclaimer, I work a blue collar job but I am going to school for an education degree but I think you need to be aware of some things…
1. Teachers are not considered professionals
They are semi professional. We looked at this in my education class. There are elements where they are considered professionals but others where they are not. My father and I debated this topic yesterday and he made a valid point. There really is no such thing as a professional except for maybe a doctor and lawyer. Both of these take very specialized education and accreditation process, while teaching has a shell of this, it is not the same and thus can’t be viewed as being equal. I believe teaching can move towards this but there will be resistance.
2. While teachers salaries rarely match the hours they put in, their benefit package on average is much better than that of the average Joe.
First, while everyone needs to be paid and fairly, if you are in teaching simply for a check then you need to leave the job. Resign immediately. Teaching is a service to the community and nation first and foremost. Second, Gov. Walker is right, I wish I had the package that teachers had or even what he is offering. The average person pays 20% for health and pension plans. Teachers in Wisconsin pay like 3%. They would pay around 13% after this bill passes (which it will). No jobs even professional, have across the board benefit packages guaranteed not to mention the idea of tenure. Tenure BTW, is the worst idea ever. No one should be able to keep their job because they have been there for 10 or more years. If you aren’t doing the job then you should be removed. Now tenured teachers can be removed but the process is long and difficult. It needs to be much easier.
3. “If you can’t do, teach.”
This is a mentality that has fueled the education system for a while. College students that can’t figure out what they want to do with themselves, see teaching as an easy out. So the teaching field does not get the cream of the crop. There are some teachers who are passionate about teaching and are gifted for it but, these are not the majority. The majority are people who have went into teaching because it was an easy check. They do their jobs but nothing more. I have had the blessing of knowing some very good teachers but I also have meet some people that needed to be thrown on their butts out the door. We need to change this idea of teaching and make it where college flunkies don’t get in.
4. Teacher Unions are Political Machines
They are, they represent views that don’t match that of their constituents but of elitists. They are not interested in bettering education but in advancing the profitability of their teachers. Since their dues come directly from teacher’s paychecks, they are highly interested in increasing their storehouses. The idea of national unions are a bad idea. Local unions yes, national no.
1. Teachers are not considered professionals
They are semi professional. We looked at this in my education class. There are elements where they are considered professionals but others where they are not. My father and I debated this topic yesterday and he made a valid point. There really is no such thing as a professional except for maybe a doctor and lawyer. Both of these take very specialized education and accreditation process, while teaching has a shell of this, it is not the same and thus can’t be viewed as being equal. I believe teaching can move towards this but there will be resistance.
2. While teachers salaries rarely match the hours they put in, their benefit package on average is much better than that of the average Joe.
First, while everyone needs to be paid and fairly, if you are in teaching simply for a check then you need to leave the job. Resign immediately. Teaching is a service to the community and nation first and foremost. Second, Gov. Walker is right, I wish I had the package that teachers had or even what he is offering. The average person pays 20% for health and pension plans. Teachers in Wisconsin pay like 3%. They would pay around 13% after this bill passes (which it will). No jobs even professional, have across the board benefit packages guaranteed not to mention the idea of tenure. Tenure BTW, is the worst idea ever. No one should be able to keep their job because they have been there for 10 or more years. If you aren’t doing the job then you should be removed. Now tenured teachers can be removed but the process is long and difficult. It needs to be much easier.
3. “If you can’t do, teach.”
This is a mentality that has fueled the education system for a while. College students that can’t figure out what they want to do with themselves, see teaching as an easy out. So the teaching field does not get the cream of the crop. There are some teachers who are passionate about teaching and are gifted for it but, these are not the majority. The majority are people who have went into teaching because it was an easy check. They do their jobs but nothing more. I have had the blessing of knowing some very good teachers but I also have meet some people that needed to be thrown on their butts out the door. We need to change this idea of teaching and make it where college flunkies don’t get in.
4. Teacher Unions are Political Machines
They are, they represent views that don’t match that of their constituents but of elitists. They are not interested in bettering education but in advancing the profitability of their teachers. Since their dues come directly from teacher’s paychecks, they are highly interested in increasing their storehouses. The idea of national unions are a bad idea. Local unions yes, national no.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Get to the Point Already!
I am not known for tact.
Tact means: a keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense (courtesy of Webster's online)
Tact means: a keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense (courtesy of Webster's online)
However, tact to me reminds me of the tactic. One of my favorite books growing up was Sun Tzu the art of war. When I was a teen this was one of my favorite books. To put it into a nutshell, it is about the use of spies and deception to conquer an enemy.
So, whenever I think of tact, I think about being deceptive. I am not expressing myself in a genuine way but in a way that allows me to manipulate the feelings of another person. Also, let me note that I view tact as being different from being courteous, nice, etc. Those are done without an agenda. Tact is done as above to "maintain good relations". So, I present a version of myself that I know will endure you to me, even if that is a facade. That to me is the best definition of tact.
Back in my youth, I was good at using tact. My grandmother noted once that, when compared to my cousin, I was able to make friends very quickly and was very sociable. I still can make friends quickly, but I endeavor not to deceive people. In fact I value directness. To hide the substance of your sediments because it might offend me, is cowardice.
This change for me came about when I became a Christian. I didn't feel the need to live in an insulated fake facade anymore. Instead I became brutally honest. I also became highly sarcastic. One time in prayer I was meditating on the idea of being blunt. If you think of a club hitting skin, it is going to hit it's target but it will also affect the outside perimeter of that target area as well. This causes damage to areas that aren't even related. My hope is that I will be more like a surgical knife. I will cut with precision only the areas that need to be effected.
Now you might feel this is actually tact but I would differentiate this from tact. The difference is, is that tact never truly gets to the point. It might describe the shadow but it doesn't deal with the substance. A doctor about to cut you, tells you that he is going to cut you. He doesn't pander around it then run in really quick and cut. No he takes his time, tells you what he was going to do, then in due time does it. I think that is a picture of honesty.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Coming this week
Well for two weeks I haven't posted anything because I have been crazy busy. However this is going to change this week, here is what is coming.
Tuesday: Get to the Point
Wednesday: Education State
Thursday: Wherever I May Roam
Friday: Picture of the Day... Yippie!
Also I have changed my layout in Tumblr to allow for comments!
Tuesday: Get to the Point
Wednesday: Education State
Thursday: Wherever I May Roam
Friday: Picture of the Day... Yippie!
Also I have changed my layout in Tumblr to allow for comments!
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