High School reflections

I spent the past 3 days substituting for an instructional assistant at the local public high school. I don't pretend or aspire to be an expert on teens in any sense of the word(s). But I have some observations that may surprise some people:

Prior to this exposure, virtually the only information I have received in the past 10 years about the society of high school students has come from the public media. Movies (almost universally) and TV news (generally) portray high school students as (1) rowdy, (2) disrespectful, (3) violent, (4) obscene, and (5) cocky either from over-confidence or from insecurity. Whether or not these media intend to give these impressions is not my concern here. I'm simply saying that if someone last week had asked me what I expected to encounter in the high school, the picture I would have painted would have been drawn along those lines. That simply because I had not had any other sources of information.

To use Bill O'Reilly's phrase: "I was pleasantly surprised." The majority of students I saw--whether in the class rooms or in the hallways--were respectful and courteous. Even the ones I dealt with in classrooms who seemed to have submerged "issues," treated me and their teachers with respect. I heard foul language, but only directed to each other never to an adult. At this high school, the periods are 90 minutes long and the teacher is encouraged to use the first half as instructional time and the second have given to working on class projects--"homework" either for that class or for another. During the instructional time, generally the students remained at least quiet (albeit not all), many of them attentive and respectful. When directed to work on their homework, they generally remained on-task. Naturally, there occurred some discussion that was off topic. But we easily brought them back on-task simply by walking past where they were at. Not once did I see any threats or pressure used to get the students re-focused. Of course, some students refused to keep pace or do their assignment. That is their choice. But those who opted for this did not disturb other students. In once class, the "teacher" seemed quite inattentive. One day she spent the time doing a crossword puzzle. (How she managed to stretch that puzzle into a 1 1/2 hour project I have no idea! The one she was doing normally would have taken me 20 minutes max. But I digress...) The other day she was playing on her computer, with her back turned to the class. Still, the class remained calm. Clearly half of the class was NOT on task. But what would you expect. But at the same time, about half the class continued on their work even though the "instructor" didn't seem to care.

All of this gave me a very positive impression of the young people at this school.

One more thing involves a contrast between my high school years and today. When I went through HS, there was a clear distinction between the "in crowd" and the "out crowd." I myself did not really fit into either. But at least I had my group with whom I was welcome and if I missed a day they missed me. I was never one of the popular kids; but neither was I one of the rejects. At the same time, unfortunately, when I attended HS we always had some who fell into the category of "rejects."

In this HS, perhaps there are rejects. I was not there long enough to determine that. But my limited exposure revealed little or no such behavior. In the classroom context at least, when the students were instructed to work in pairs or to work on their homework, I did not see anyone excluded. Some of the students gave visual indicators of poor self-image, low self-esteem. But if they walked up to another group who were involved in an activity or a discussion, they appeared to be well received and brought into the group process. In the class context at least, I did not see signs of exclusion or rejection. Naturally some gravitated more to one group than to another--especially along ethnic lines. But even those lines would be crossed with (seemingly) little disturbance.

Well, those were my observations. If they are prejudiced or discriminatory (a la O'Reilly), then so be it. And you can let me know. But I'm just trying to contrast the biased picture given by public media versus the "reality" of my perceptions these last few days.

ttfn

Another Prisoner Alert

Please read about this Chinese pastor who has suffered so much while in prison that he is at death's door. Then you can write to him or to the Chinese government......

OR BOTH!!!! :)

Praise

What is praise? How is it different from Worship?

What & Whom do we praise? What prompts us to praise another? Do we praise a bad action? Praise unsatisfactory behavior? Do we praise a batter for striking out? or a running back for fumbling the football?

No, we praise positive achievements: No-hit pitching in baseball; a stellar spelling bee performance. We praise heroic deeds: Bravery in combat; rescuing a drowning person. We praise sacrifice: the Single parent raising responsible adults; the person who leaves a high-paying job to help/serve the needy.

In sum: We praise what a person does.

Sometimes we heap praise on a beautiful or handsome person for his/her looks. This praise is misdirected. The same applies to other things one does not control: e.g., native intelligence, race, country of origin, complexion. The person with these traits did not do anything to receive them. So praise is inappropriate. We might complement or congratulate him/her. But, properly speaking, praise does not fit.

In sum: We praise what a person does.

What has God done for which we can praise Him? We do not praise God for being loving; that is His nature. It is who/what He is. We do not praise His omniscience. He can't help it. He has always been omniscient. Etc. But, as Psalm 103 says, we do well to praise him for His unfailing love. That is an expression of his nature. We praise Him for His mercy; his forgiveness; his understanding what we are like, etc.

How do we praise God? Does the Bible give any indication of appropriate ways of giving praise to God Almighty?

Yes, I believe it does. But I will save that for another post.

Thank you for reading!

this week

Maybe you wonder why I'm suddenly having more posts when for a few weeks, I didn't do very many. Well, a couple things have influenced that: For one, I read that if you want more people to read your blog more regularly then you (viz., I) need to post regularly. Apparently, some people post a few times every day (to which I say, "Get a life."). The other, more immediate factor, is that I have done a few days subbing for an "Instructional Assistant."

Well, I can't speak for I/A's in general, and really can't speak even for the one I'm subbing for. Perhaps when she is here on her regular schedule, she finds more to do. But for me, it has mostly been a matter of watching moss grow. I've had some time slots when I actually had things to do. And I enjoy that. It has been a good change of pace from working by myself at home. (I am not by nature a self-starter, in case you did not already know that about me.) But there have also been long periods when I have had virtually nothing to do. But having nothing to do, I found a notepad in front of me. So I started getting on paper some of my thoughts regarding my Worship modules in India. Hopefully at some point those thoughts will morph into actual lesson plans.

Well, that's about it for this morning. If today goes like the previous 2 days, I'll have opportunity to write some notes about Praise. Then I can post those notes this afternoon.

Hasta...

Worship, part 2

Worship is directed toward what we perceive as superior to us--whether person or thing, creation or Creator.

In the OT: the primary word used has to do being prostrate, falling down before the superior person or thing. In the NT, the Greek word for worship combines the prefix "pros," indicating "before," "in front of," " toward." The main word is the word for dog! So the picture is that of a dog coming before its master in submission and subservience, in loyalty and ____. (What else?)

Whast is the attitude of a dog approaching his/her master?
What parallel word picture carries meaning in India?
How do Indians show respect for a superior?
How can this Indian expression of respect (viz., worship) translate into a Christian gathering?

In both testaments, worship involves humility before one (One) who is superior. With that thought, worship most effectively focuses on the attributes of God that mark Him as superior. Viz., the Omnis, His holiness, His mercy, etc. In other words, worship focuses on WHO God is, not on what he does.

What qualities of God set Him apart from us? Make Him superior to us?
How do we best honor those qualities that set God apart?
Do we worship God for his holiness differently than how we worship Him for his omniscience?
If so, in what different ways do we worship Him for these different attributes?

What examples can you think of when people worshiped God well?

Please give me some feedback!
Thank you.

What is worship?

These are some of the questions I'm working on to form my module for the upcoming trip to India. In the first couple sections, some of the questions deal exclusively with India. So we, on this side of the pond, don't know the answers. But as you progress, the questions become more general and I would definitely appreciate your responses to them. Thank you!

What is worship?
What/who do people in India worship?
How do they express worship in India?
Can any of those worship expressions transfer to a Christian context?

What is praise?
How does it differ from worship?
What/who do Indians praise?
How do Indians express praise?
Can any of these praise expressions transfer to Christian context?

In addition to praise, what other elements enter into a worship event?

How about Private/Personal worship...
What elements are part of personal worship?
What would happen if we introduced these personal elements into corporate worship?
What differences do you see between private/personal worship compared to public/corporate worship?
Is corporate worship just X number of people doing the same thing together that they would do when alone?
Do you worship the same at church as you do when alone?
Why is there a difference? Is this difference good/bad/neutral? Why? In what way?

What is your responsibility as a worship planner or worship leader?
What do you think about planning a worship service?
Do you think we should plan a service schedule? Why/Why not?
How much of the worship service should be planned?
How important is it to make the elements of a worship service all fit into a single theme?

I welcome your feedback!

Catholic Priest

Last night I received another notice from Prisoner Alert. This regards a Catholic priest in Vietnam. Please go to this web site and at least read about him so you can pray for him. Then I encourage you to click the link where you can write a letter to him in his own language! It's easy and fun and it only costs 90 cents to mail it to him and encourage him and his parish.

I think sometimes people get the impression that VOM only works with so-called "evangelicals" in closed countries. The fact is: We come alongside all who call Jesus Lord and Savior. We do not make denominational distinctions. And we know that--especially in closed countries--these priests do a wonderful work of bringing people to faith in Christ.

Then, if you would be so kind, would you please let me know that you have visited the site and/or written to him?

Thank you!

Totally unrelated to anything else

I just received this email from a clergy friend of mine. I encourage you to follow the link below and deal with this matter ASAP! Here is what he said:

This is upsetting!! I thought I should pass it along. Now you can see anyone's Driver's License on the Internet, including your own!! I just searched for mine and there it was…..picture and all!! Thanks, Homeland Security!! Privacy, where is our right to it? I definitely removed mine. I suggest you go to the website below and check it out. Just enter the information to see if yours is on file. After your license comes on the screen, click the box marked "Please Remove.:
This will remove it from public viewing, but not from law enforcement.
Go to this site.

It's for your own protection!

Teaching in India

They (i.e., RIMI) finally started getting some details to me about my trip to India. We had already agreed that for the first week I will teach in their satellite school in Rajasthan. My theme there will be "Principles of Worship." I think I already asked for some input on this theme, and I'll just note that the response to that request has truly been underwhelming!

So, I'll try getting some response on what I'm starting to think of for my topic/theme for the second week. Initially, Laura (my contact at RIMI) thought I would be teaching on Ephesians for the 2nd week--as will all the speakers. Now she learned that I'm free to teach on whatever theme I want to (was there something in the reference letters sent in on my behalf that prompted this change? [that's a joke]). So in my Bible study time this morning, God seemed to open up to me a concept that I think could be helpful. We (bw & I) had prayed about this a few times that God would direct my thinking about such a topic.

So, I'm thinking I'll teach on something like "Prevailing against the Gates of Hell." With that as a centering thought, I will look at the lessons from various events from the OT when the people of God stood against incredible odds. E.g., this morning I was copying the story of David and Goliath. (Who are the "Philistines" and/or "Goliaths" for Indian believers?)

So here's my request to you (I'm hoping for a slightly LESS underwhelming response on this one): What other occasions (preferably OT) can you think of when the people of God faced overwhelming odds, but God gave the victory?

So (I just figured since I've been using "So" at the start of each paragraph why stop now?), if you pass along such an event from OT, the next question is: What lessons can we draw from those accounts? And how can those relate to God's people in India where they live among 800million Hindus and 200million Muslims?

Thanks for your help!

Prayer updates

Well, we did it yesterday. After 2 weeks of research, and learning more about housing contracts, and condo-conversions, and condo contracts, and mortgages and points and rates and bumps and dips in the market, etc., etc., ad infinitum... we finally gave the "go ahead" to a mortgage broker at a local bank, focused just on the local region. Jokingly, I had mentioned that one of the reasons I like him is because I can look him in the eyes as opposed to looking up at his chin. (In other words, he is also vertically challenged.) But that was not the only reason: When I told the first lender why I was going with the other agency, it boiled down to this: In the several times I had spoken with Jeff (at the local bank), he had never said one negative thing about Bernie (yes that is his name at the Mortgage company, the "preferred lender"). In contrast, almost from the first, Bernie had said that nobody else could do what he could do. They would promise this and that. But they can't do it because he (Bernie) had already laid all the groundwork. Well, I told him that yesterday afternoon. And he got a little red in the face, but kept himself under control. Then he called me a little while ago this morning and cleared the air. He apologized that he had never meant to speak negatively about anyone else. Apparently, in his confidence he just got a little carried away. so I accepted his apology. and we are on good terms again. And like he said, if the other plan falls through or we need his services at some time in the future, he is definitely an option.

It takes a big man (and I don't mean physically) to admit something like that and apologize. So even though he is taller than I, I won't hold that against him. And he did gain some points in my book.

Anyway, so I told Jeff that yes, we will go with his offer. Unfortunately, in my 2 weeks of researching, etc., the rates dropped lower than originally quoted then jumped back up. But I feel okay about it because I learned volumes about the whole process and I feel confident in the process ahead.

Soooooooo, that is one thing you can clarify in your prayers for us: That as we approach closing date (October 19), that everything will go smoothly (which I guess there are almost always bumps along the way) and that the LORD will go before us to prepare the way!

The other thing to clarify/modify in your prayers concerns bw's dissertation proposal. It has safely arrived in the hands of her mentor in Manila. She has very high regard for him, Dr. Dayala, which is why she requested him for her mentor. He is demanding and sets high standards. And the university where she is getting her PhD has high standards as well (apparently, markedly higher standards than most US universities). Anyway, Dr. Danny as bw calls him is reviewing her proposal and is supposed to get back to her about it with additions, correction, etc. So in our prayer time last night, she admitted to the LORD (as if he did not already know it but it is good to confess it) that her stomach is in knots while she waits for Dr. Danny's response.

Sooooooooo, that is the other thing about praying for us: That she will relax about it and trust the LORD and trust Dr. Danny while she waits. Also--and maybe this is really the point--that her proposal will find favor in Dr. Danny's eyes. That he will see the merit and the seriousness of her efforts and that he will give her the encouragement she hopes to receive from him.

Okay that's it for today. Thank you!

Clergy income

Received an e from Leadership magazine. It has a link to data from the latest survey of pastor/clergy compensation packages. I thought it was interesting and perhaps some of my readers might enjoy it too.

Take care....

Prisoner Released!

I hope you have (or will) click on the link to the left that directs you to the PrisonerAlert web page. I hope you will include this link in your favorites and check back frequently. Then DO something to encourage these people who simply want to enjoy freedom of religion as we do here. I find tremendous encouragement and courage when I read their stories.

And once in a while we get emails about a prisoner who has been released. This one is still too new to even be on the "released prisoners" page of their web site. So I will insert a portion of the email notice I just received:

Update on Pastor Cai Zhuohua

Praise God! Pastor Cai Zhuohua, has been released after three years in prison, in China. We rejoice and thank you for your prayers and letters of encouragement. They made a great difference. Through letters and prayers from believers like you, the Holy Spirit strengthened Pastor Cai, despite the hardship he faced. We celebrate his release and invite you to continue writing letters of encouragement and praying for other believers in prison. Your letters and prayers will make a great difference in the lives of believers in prison. Thank you for your part in the release of Pastor Cai.

You can still get the info that was available when he was still imprisoned by going here. Then check out some of the other prisoners as well. I think it's great fun to write letters to them. They have a system that allows us to choose from a drop-down menu of several English verses and phrases. These are instantly translated into the language of the intended recipient. You can print the letter and they give you the address where the letter can be sent. International letters only cost 90 cents. Pastor Cai received over 2000 letters during his 3 years in Chinese prisons. These letters encourage the prisoners and they also make a huge impact on the prison officials, because the latter know that the outside world is paying attention.

Please, check out the link to the left about PrisonerAlerts.

Thank you!

How to pray for us

Yes, it's been a few days since I posted anything. Not that nothing has happened. To the contrary, so much is happening that I hardly have time for it--much less, to write about it. But I'll put down a little bit so that you can know how to pray (if you do).

The most immediate is our interest in buying a condo. It is a "condo conversion," which we have learned has built-in dangers or potential problems. After we met with the realtor on Sat., I copied significant portions of the paperwork she gave us. Then I emailed those copies to my brother and his mother-in-law. He has done a lot of legal contracts and is experienced at reading contracts. His mother-in-law has 35 years experience in real estate. They reviewed what I sent them and both recommended that we NOT proceed with the deal. Well, I had also noticed the issue they raised (viz., no recourse to the seller if there is a problem with the building). So I took the material to another realtor here in town yesterday. First, he and I talked; then he set up a meeting later with his boss who is from a family of realtors and real estate lawyers. She (the boss) looked it over and sounded more reassuring.

Bottom line: I have a call in to a home inspector and will ask him to inspect it specifically for mold--a big issue. This is a big enough issue that the seller's binder they gave us has about 1 1/2 pages of material on the subject, highlighted by the disclaimer that if a mold problem arises in the future, we have no recourse to come back at her. She (the seller) has no further responsibility for any future problem in that regard. Well, all fine and good IF there is no mold there currently. So we want this inspector to check as best he can for any such potential that might be hidden.

We'll keep you posted!

At the same time (or nearly so), I put together my "support letter" for my India trip and mailed it out. You have probably received your copy by now. Already received a few replies, which is encouraging. The trip begins around Oct 26 or so. I'm uncertain about it, because I don't know if RIMI will want me to go to their HQ before we start the trip. If so, then I'll leave a little before that. But we're scheduled to leave Chicago on the 27th and return around the 11th or 12th of November. But then, if you read your letter, you already know that. Right?

Meanwhile, we're wrapping up a rather busy several weeks in our volunteering for Voice of the Martyrs. Tonight we meet with a home study group to talk about specific projects they might get involved with. Then I/we have nothing more scheduled for VOM for the foreseeable. And that is a good thing, because we're ready to worship with our home church fellowship for a while. And with the other things going on right now, we really can't give the time or energy or attention that VOM needs and deserves until these other things settle down.

So all of that is what has been keeping me busy. Of course, at the same time bw has been neck-deep in getting the new school year started and getting her dissertation to Manila and a bunch of related details.

So at least now you have a better idea how to pray for us! And thank you for that.

Samuel

I finished 1 Corinthians yesterday; started 1 Samuel this morning.

This struck me in that first chapter: Have you ever noticed the similarities between Samuel and Samson in the way they started out? And yet the end of the book for each is quite different. Granted Samson is named in the "Faith Chapter" (Hebrews 11). But which path would you prefer for your child? The one who constantly dabbles in sexual exploits, only to see God deliver him and bring glory to God? Or the one who said at the end of his life, "I have never wronged these people in any way"?

Well, I haven't thought it through very much. It just occurred to me this morning.

What do you think?

Prayer requests

I know your lives have been hanging in limbo while I have taken a short hiatus. But here I am back again.

A few things have happened in the past few days. I think they are and/or will and/or should become significant. Please pray about these things:

1. I already mentioned bw's dissertation proposal. It went in the overseas mail Friday morning. As previously requested please pray for safe, prompt delivery and even more for favorable reception by review committee.
2. I have been in contact for a few months now with an organization called "Reaching Indians Ministries International" (www.rimi.org). When Laura, a young lady from the organization called, I felt hesitant at first. I thought "Indians" meant Native Americans and that was not where God was pulling me (He is calling others to that). But also, I've never really felt attracted to the country of India (which is indeed the focus of this mission). However, they have needs that I feel motivated to give to the Kingdom of God (e.g., gift of teaching, ability to write). So all of that to say: Please pray for my upcoming mission to India! We are scheduled to leave US on October 27 and return around Nov 11/12. I will teach 4-5 days in Jodhpur, Rajasthan (about 300 miles from Pakistan). Then we will travel to Nagpur (exactly the geographical center of the country, about 500 miles from Jodhpur) where I will teach in a national conference for another 4-5 days. YES!!! I am very excited about this opportunity. The only real downer about it all is that bw cannot go with us because of her teaching position. But who knows what the future holds. Right? So please pray for all the preparations for this mission: Physical details, Spiritual preparation of my spirit as well as those who will attend, plus pray for my preparation of teaching materials and any other prep that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Thank you!
3. Okay... now for the other news: We might have an opportunity to purchase our first ever home! HR is an unusually expensive place to get into the housing market. For a small community, the average cost of houses is unusually high. Generally speaking, there are 2 classes of people here: Those who by one means or another have accumulated enough capital to be purchasing their own home (which in this area means they are at least "upper middle class") or at the other end of the scale those who rent one of the additional housing unites own by the first group. Very few people in between. And the gap seems to be growing. So imagine our surprise when I saw at the bottom of the front page of the local paper an article about the renovation of some run-down apartments and converting them into condos selling for (comparatively speaking) a reasonable price! Well, we checked them out and now we're just waiting for the mortgage broker to open after the holiday so we can see what kind of financing we can work out and if we feel we can afford such payments. So please pray that God would direct these events. We basically feel at peace about this (allowing for the usual nervous excitement). But there are so many details that I/we know nothing about. So please pray for God's guidance in this process.

Okay, if you got this far, then you really care and I appreciate that. But I am adding one item here that I know at least a couple of you have very definite views on and I definitely want to see your definite views--PLEASE! That is, the module I will be teaching in Jodhpur is called "Principles of Worship." So I'm already doing some Bible research on the subject. But I would very much covet your input on the subject--especially Scriptural background for your preferences/views. Okay? Thanks.

Alright, I think that covers if for now.