THE HOGGATTEER REVOLUTION - The Hoggatteer Experience

Son's 2022 Christmas Ornament

12/9/2022

Every year, we try to find just the right Christmas ornament for our son and our daughter. When they move away from home, they will have a good collection of ornaments to decorate their own trees.

Each ornament tells a personal story, so placing them on the tree each year is a chance to reflect on the big events of the past. This year for our son, as we thought back on 2022, we tried to choose the most impactful event in his life, we chose the occasion of his baptism over the summer.

All of his ornaments have the distinction of being animals, so this year we chose an amphibian. This particular amphibian transforms from tadpole in the water to a frog on land.

This year, his ornament is a frog wearing a festive scarf (as most frogs do in the winter, I am told). We felt like the tadpole's transformation into a frog was the closest we would find to represent his choice to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. He, too, rose from the water as a new creature.

Apply the Word: Sum or Some?

12/8/2022

Biblical unity is based upon common teaching and practice. First Corinthians 1:10 mentions that there should be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. Such common teaching and practice must come by following a common standard. Obeying God involves doing the sum of what He said rather than some of what He said. Remember what the Psalmist declared: The sum of Thy word is truth, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting (Psalm 119:160).

Many believe the Bible is completely inspired. Second Timothy 3:16 tells them, All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Yet, some who claim belief in the Bible as completely inspired adopt a cafeteria-style approach to it in which they pick the parts they like and put them on their theological food trays, while rejecting other portions that fail to appeal to their taste.

Jehoiakim has this attitude. In Jeremiah 36:23, he listens to Jehudi read the Word of God, and upon hearing the prophecy of Babylonian captivity, took the scroll, cut it with his penknife and cast it into the fire. Jehoiakim wanted only some of God’s Word, instead of the sum of God’s Word.

Obedience is doing all that God says. Concerning teaching, Matthew writes that we are to teach all nations to observe all that He commanded (Matthew 28:20).

One of the most dangerous words in the English language is “partial”. After a big snowstorm, for instance, the news may report that streets have been partially cleared. Those few patches of snow and ice are still treacherous. In fact, the cleared spots can cause us to be too confident about our ability to navigate.

To partially obey God is to disobey Him. In 1 Samuel 15, we find that Saul has almost obeyed God. God had commanded that everything from the Amalekites be destroyed, but Saul spared the life of King Agag and some of the animals. Saul blamed his soldiers but the problem was Saul’s own pride. He had only partially obeyed God. God was displeased; He took the kingdom from Saul and gave it to David.

Jesus’ mother once gives some good advice that we should still follow today: She says, "Whatever He says to you, do it" (John 2:5). Paul told the Ephesian elders that he had not shrunk from declaring the whole purpose of God unto them (Acts 20:27).

Preachers today, too, must preach God’s whole counsel, not just the parts that may be popular in the current generation.

Second Timothy 4:2-4 commands: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.

A small church just getting started couldn’t afford a sign to go in front of their building. The furniture store in town got a new sign about that time and gave the church their old one. It even lit up at night! They painted over it and put it out front. After some years, though, the paint began to peel. It said, The church of Christ meets here. And where the paint had peeled off it read (underneath): Easy Terms. We must never make easier terms than Jesus gave! Jesus said, And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Mark 10:21).

Sum is much better than some.

Isn’t it marvelous to understand that our treasure is worth more than we possess? Isn’t it remarkable that we have a text that is completely understandable and entirely truthful? May we all give the sum of our spirit to follow the sum of His Word!

Quote: Words

12/7/2022

"Words that soak into your ears
are whispered, not yelled."
(Unknown)

Recruited for Summer Seminar

12/6/2022

I'm excited to announce that the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) has recruited me to provide support for one of next summer's online teacher seminars.

The partial message from GLI is below:

We have been hard at work planning our 2023 summer professional development, which includes a slate of twelve Teacher Seminars held online this coming summer.

To that end, we are excited to invite you to serve as Master Teacher for the online Teacher Seminar on Colonial North America. This seminar will be led by Professor Alan Taylor (University of Virginia) with live sessions...

As part of your role as Master Teacher, you would be responsible for preparing and leading two pedagogical sessions on teaching the seminar topic, moderating a "closing thoughts" open discussion with participants on the final day of the seminar, moderating and providing Zoom support for three scholar Q&A sessions, and collaborating in preparation for the seminar with the scholar. Finally, there is a possibility of there being two additional one-hour sessions on Tuesday and Thursday) hosted by a partnering organization...; in that case, you would be collaborating in preparation for the seminar
with our partners in addition to the scholar, and potentially moderating and providing Zoom support for these sessions...

We look forward to hearing from you and very much hope to work with you this summer.

Dr. Alan Taylor

I'm already thinking about the final product and what it might look like, but I don't want to get the cart before the horse. As always, I'm online, looking at past GLI teacher seminars and their pedagogical sessions. I'm researching Colonial North America outside of the traditional history that we usually teach. And I'm looking up Dr. Taylor, the scholar for this seminar. To think that I will be working with this two-time Pulitzer Prize recipient is pretty impressive and a little intimidating.

At first glance, the course description might sound intimidating as well:

This seminar examines Spanish, French, Dutch, and British encounters with Native peoples of North America during the initial centuries of colonization: 1492–1800. It combines the “Atlantic” approach to early America with a “continental” approach that accords dynamism and agency to Native peoples and enslaved African peoples in their relations with colonizers. This seminar defines colonial America broadly, extending beyond the British colonies of the North American coast to include New France, New Spain, and the West Indies.

I know that I will learn more than the participants as I prepare for the seminar.

Bible Breakdown: Luke 1:31-33

12/5/2022

Too often, we rush we fail to slow down and consider
the common sense of a Bible passage - in context.

Like a learner in a reading class, let's break down a passage
to see if we can comprehend it better.

Luke 1 (NASB):

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Some Questions:

How would you feel about somebody telling you what to name your child?
What is the significance of the name Jesus?
How will Jesus be great?
Exactly whose Son will He be?
How does a kingdom have "no end"?

Let's Think:
The responsibility laid at the feet of this young virgin girl is tremendous. Perhaps it was not the fear of the angel that Gabriel told Mary to dismiss as much as it was the fear of what was to come. After all, her responsibility does not end at the manger: she is going to raise and protect this "Son of the Most High" throughout His life. David's throne is at stake if she fails. The house of Jacob is at risk.

But the angel tells Mary not to fear because she has found favor in God's sight. The Boy's Name will be Jesus, meaning "God is Salvation". God will protect His Son, the throne of David is safe, the house of Jacob will remain, and kingdom being established will last for eternity. This is God's only begotten Son (John 3:16), and His Plan will not - can never - be derailed. There is a lot of power in that thought. With the protection of His Son and His Plan, comes the protection of faithful believers as well.

It is important to note that no one bows down to Mary. At no point in inspired Scripture is there any instruction to pray through "the mother of God". She is never established as an intercessor for our prayers. The Son is the Intercessor. It is through Jesus that we find our connection with the Father. No other human has the authority to approach God directly as a go-between or interpreter of our prayers.

Signs the System is Cracked (Part Five)

12/4/2022

We know the educational system is not perfect, but that should not keep us from recognizing places that could be improved. In a series of articles that identify a number of areas where the system could be corrected and placed on a better trajectory, I am offering some suggestions to that effect. What you read below is the fifth installment.

Administrators are scared of litigation and sunshine laws. I understand. It's a real concern. We live in a society that is filled with the threat of lawsuit, and the education system is caught in the middle. Sometimes that is warranted, for sure, but for a district to avoid true methods and creative lessons by using this as an excuse is a cop-out. To restrain teachers with a blanket rule that ties their hands is a travesty. How long will we operate in such a frightened system?

Teachers at retirement age do not stick around any longer than they have to. Why would we? If we are constantly flooded with restrictions and strict timelines, if we are all the time trying to stay ahead of the wave, and we are not allowed to make professional decisions in regards to how we approach teaching and which methods to tout for our students, there are plenty of places we could still operate while having an impact on education. When a teacher sits at the end of a career, often he is only working for a matter of a couple hundred dollars a month, and it's just not worth the stress and headaches.

Observations become punitive. I've heard of observers who invade classrooms unannounced, and I think that's terrific; in fact, I don't believe any observation should be scheduled. However, if a class is engaged in activity, that observer must respect the moment and not interrupt to insist that a teacher conduct a formal teacher-led lesson. Furthermore, observations should intend to be constructive and not punitive. At no time should they be viewed as times to catch teachers in the act of neglecting their duties. Observations of teachers in their classrooms should always seek to help the teachers improve. If there are problems or issues that are not improving, then there may be reason to enact a new plan or do some troubleshooting. I can't stand that administrators slip in for the simple purpose of ticking some boxes for their district requirements.

Test scores become the goal. It is often pointed out that test scores in the United States are low in contrast to the test scores of other countries on the planet. On the other hand, the United States is a leading superpower that develops a great deal of the products and systems that those other countries use or would like to use. We are leaders in research and development - in spite of our kids' test scores. How is this possible? Could it be that we are measuring success inaccurately? Are our current testing methods giving us the wrong results? Those tests tend to drive instruction, but I wonder if they should be the only thing we look at to determine the success of a school, a grade level, or a single classroom. Where is the joy of learning assessed? Where is the consideration of school culture? If students and teachers do not feel safe or inspired to do better, there is no reason to look at their spring test scores. If they are miserable and nervous, there will be no true learning.

Teachers go shallow (skim the surface) to keep up. Finally (for this installment), there is just too much emphasis on the amount of material that teachers must cover in the year. I can write about this over and over, but until we figure it out, teachers are just going to quickly skim each of the standards in order to fit them all in. We must be allowed to cover things in a deeper manner in order to ground students in the material. Otherwise, we will simply have to cover the same skills over and over. We must establish firmer foundations for our students, and firmer foundations are only laid when deeper holes are dug.

I hope that someday we stop repeating the cycles that have proven to fail our pupils. When do educators finally begin to learn from history and correct the mistakes of those who have come before us? There is no reason we cannot tweak things to make them constantly improve rather than all the time throw out the babies with their bathwater!

2022 Family Christmas Ornament

12/3/2022

Every year, we buy a new ornament for the Christmas tree. The ornament has to represent the biggest event in our lives for the previous year. Sometimes it is difficult to think of something appropriate (last year), but this year was actually an easy one. This year, we looked for something to represent new beginnings for everybody in the immediate family.

After all, I started a new position supervising student-teachers with Pittsburg State University, working as a master teacher with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, writing curriculum for the institute as well as the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, and of course, more availability for church work.

My wife's career change is a big one as she began teaching Math and Science at Neosho Christian School.

Our daughter tackled a major new adventure at the University of Oklahoma, with her first extended stay away from home, marching with the Pride of Oklahoma, and working with the campus outreach center, even planning to participate in a Spring Break mission trip in Arizona.

Our son began his new life as a Christian, after making the most decision of his life to be immersed for the forgiveness of sins.

Three States

12/2/2022

Though we refer to this area of the world as the Four States, which includes Arkansas, there is a point where three of the four states come together. It's just a short jaunt down a gravel road (near Downstream Casino).

The location is doubly marked. An old marker is made of rock, but the plaques on it are unreadable, partially because of extensive graffiti. The area is badly littered and, frankly, embarrassing, but one does not have to spend very much time to stand on Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma at the same time.

Apply the Word: All Things are Ready

12/1/2022

It always happens. I do something – or don’t do something – that I think is right, and it turns out to be only partially right. Or I assume someone else has done something, so I don’t have to worry about it getting done, and it turns out no one has done it. I can think of some recent things that fit these patterns: someone forgot to check the baby’s diaper; someone forgot to prepare enough bottles of formula. And I can remember examples from my past: like the time I shot myself in the hand with my BB gun because I thought it wasn’t loaded. Can’t we all remember someone in our lives – usually a wife, sister, or mother, for some reason – using this phrase on us: Well, that’s what you get for thinking! Sometimes they even say this when we weren’t thinking at all.

There is a time set aside in our worship service where we offer the invitation of Christ. You see, I feel like a lot times we make assumptions that just aren’t so. And what is it they say happens when we assume too much? Well anyway:

1. We get to thinking the invitation is not only extended by the preacher.

2. We get to thinking the invitation is extended only at the end of the sermon or devotional.

3. We get to thinking the invitation is only available to the people who attend the service.

Before we get to these three points, let’s read together Matthew 22:1-10:

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king, who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.” But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged and sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and set their city on fire.

“Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.' And those slaves went out into the streets, and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.”

Notice, first of all, that the king offered the invitation through his messengers. Verse three: ""he sent out his slaves"; verse 4: "Again he sent out other slaves; verse 10: And those slaves went out…" I would propose to you that the slaves sent by the king were not all preachers. They were the workers, the members of the kingdom. And remember, the kingdom being illustrated in this parable is the kingdom of heaven (verse one). Now doesn’t that mean that the members of this church, the word church being a synonym for kingdom, have the responsibility to take the invitation to others?

Secondly, notice in verses nine and ten, that the invitation was not offered only to the people who visited the worship services of the Lord. Verse nine: Go therefore to the main highways; and verse 10: those slaves went out into the streets, and gathered together all they found, both good and evil. It doesn’t much sound like the invitation is only to come at the end of a fine sermon delivered by a preacher, does it? I don’t think so. So, Jesus makes it clear that we are responsible for taking the invitation to others, and the others are outside this building, in common places – places in the community.

Thirdly, notice whom is invited. Returning to verse nine, we can see the king wants as many as you find; in verse ten, it says they gathered together all they found. This dispels what we often think about the church building being the best place to talk to people about becoming a Christian. Notice, the king sent out his slaves in verses three and four; notice, the king told the slaves to Go (verse nine) and they went out in verse ten; also in verse ten, the passage expressly makes the point to show that the slaves (That’s you and me, remember.) "gathered together all they found, both good and evil…" This is obviously pointing us to the world to find new converts to the kingdom of heaven.

Finally, the parable is incomplete without verses 11-14. Jesus continues:

"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And he was speechless.

"Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

The parable simply states a situation in which a man did not do things in a way that pleased the king. The same can happen for us. Not only may we dress improperly for worship, but we can worship improperly. Isn’t it depressing to know that Many are called, but few are chosen?

The classic work of T. W. Brents, The Gospel Plan of Salvation, concludes with the author’s urging those who read his words to obey the gospel of Christ. He wrote:

And why should you not come? Is it not strange that, while God, Jesus, angels, and all good men are concerned for you, you, the most directly interested, are still unconcerned for yourself? What has the devil with which to reward you for a life of devotion to him? Esau was regarded as a profane person for selling his birthright for a mess of pottage; are you not doing worse, bartering a home in heaven for the momentary gratification of fleshly lusts, pride, and appetite? Surely these are not sufficient to compensate you for an eternity of misery and woe! Were you to acquire the cattle of a thousand hills, yea, and all the gold of California and Peru, these could not purchase one drop of water with which to cool your parching tongue in the rude flames of an angry Hell; then what will it profit if you gain the whole world and lose your soul at last? Or what will you give in exchange for your soul? If you could possess the world and its treasures, the time may come when you would give them all for an interest in the blood of Jesus. How unwise to reject it! Oh, then flee from the wrath to come and lay hold on eternal life!

Quote: Character

11/30/2022

"That which is striking and beautiful
is not always good,
but that which is good is always beautiful."

Ninon de L'Enclos

Bible Breakdown: Luke 1:26-30

11/29/2022

Too often, we rush we fail to slow down and consider the common sense of a Bible passage - in context.

Like a learner in a reading class, let's break down a passage to see if we can comprehend it better.

Luke 1 (NASB):

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was.

30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Some Questions:

What does Gabriel say to relieve Mary's fear?
Why is Mary confused?
Why does the angel address Mary as "favored one"?
Who "sent" Gabriel?
Is Joseph's descendancy from David significant?
What is the significance of Mary being identified as a virgin?

Let's Think:
It should be understood that this named angel - Gabriel - is dispatched from Almighty God for the purpose of communicating with Mary. Mary is considered to be favored (or favorite) of God, and there is great care on the author's part to identify Joseph as being in the lineage of David. It almost sounds as if Gabriel is excited as he says, "Greetings, favored one!"

It's difficult to imagine standing in Mary's place. The passage notes that Mary is perplexed and is pondering the angel's greeting when Gabriel instructs her not to be afraid. He tells her she has "found favor" with God, implying that if she was not a favored one, Mary might have a reason to fear.

Matthew's primary readership for his account of the Gospel are the Jews. They would have been aware of Messianic prophecy involving the birth of a coming Savior. Specifically, they should be looking for a virgin birth with the child being an heir to the David's throne. Even though verses 26-30 only tell of the greeting shared between Mary and Gabriel, there is depth here as prophecy is in the process of being fulfilled.

Accuracy and Impact of the Bible: Newburgh

11/28/2022

The following is the first lesson in a historical and faithful study
beginning at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evenings.
at the church of Christ in Carthage, Missouri, south of the Ford dealership
PLEASE JOIN US!

Art Appreciation

Analyze the painting here. Check out its details.

What do you notice?
What do you think is happening?
What caused the scene in the painting?
What might happen after the scene shown?
What does this piece make you wonder?

A Military coup in America?

Before we get into this lesson, let us work through the 1783 Newburgh Conspiracy scenario in George Washington's Mount Vernon's Be Washington! At this link, select Single Player and the Newburgh Conspiracy scenario, then follow directions in the simulation.

In 1783, with the ending of the Revolutionary War, the country was on unsteady ground. Washington would not become president for another six years. Some of the major leaders and generals under George Washington -specifically, General Horatio Gates - planned to meet, along with around 300 men in all, to decide if they should lead a military coup on the Continental Congress, thus establishing a military government for the new United States of America.

The soldiers suspected that when the war ended, there would be no chance they would be paid for their service. They thought they could keep Congress to their obligations as long as the standing army still existed. This moment in our history is known as the Newburgh Conspiracy. When George Washington heard this was happening, he masterfully showed up to the meeting with a prepared speech. Primary documents describe this event.

In 2018, I had the privilege of visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon for a summer residency and teacher institute. The lead scholar for the institute was Dr. Bill Fowler, professor at Northeastern University in Boston, and former director of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He described the moment in which Washington made his speech. He also demonstrated the way Washington ended his speech by reading a letter from Joseph Jones ensuring everyone that Congress would live up to its responsibilities to them. To read the letter, the commander-in-chief took his new glasses out of his coat and stated, "Gentlemen, you must forgive me. My hair has grown gray and my eyes have grown dim in the service of my country." It is said that there was not a dry eye in the house.

Almost immediately, the group agreed to follow Washington's advice and allow the new government to fulfill its mission.

Dr. Fowler described a moment when he was the person in charge at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Knowing that Washington's original Newburgh address, penned by his secretary, is currently in the Library of Congress, Fowler received a package containing another copy of the speech, this one written by Washington himself. This copy is different that the original, because Washington wrote it in letters large enough that he could read it without his glasses. It is only when he takes out the letter from Joseph Jones that he must use his glasses.

The Big Questions
Our focus for this study hinges on answering these two big questions. The goal is to get closer to the answers each week in our class.

How did we we get the Bible?
Is the Bible accurate and dependable?

Running Some Numbers (& More Significant Information about the Manuscripts)

When speaking of the Bible, we have many manuscript copies, meticulously written one stroke at a time to ensure that it remains correct and intact. Generally speaking, they come to us in two different handwriting forms, similar to the different copies of Washington's speech. In Chapter 3, the author of our text, How We Got the Bible, describes the around 650 uncials as being written in all capital letters. An example of this all-caps style, without spacing or punctuation, is found on page 35 of our book.

Some 5,300 manuscripts in the other group, referred to as cursives or miniscules, are described (as their name implies) as being written in cursive and in small letters. He wrote that, "The miniscules did not make their debut until the ninth century and thus are of less value."

Three major copies are known as:

The Vatican Manuscript
The Sinaitic Manuscript
The Alexandrian Manuscript

These are discussed in Neil Lightfoot's book on pages 36-41.

The uncials and miniscules are viewable online at this site:
The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts

Codex Sinaiticus is a fourth century manuscript of the Greek Old Testament, the New Testament, the Epistle of Barnabas, and the Shepherd of Hermas on parchment; The facsimile images are from the J. T. and Zelma Luther Archives, A. Webb Roberts Library, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Twelfth century minuscule of the Gospels, Apostolos, and Paul on parchment; 297 leaves, single column, 38 lines per column. Digital images are from microfilm.

Application Question

How important is it?

Is it important to you that the Bible comes from reliable sources, or is it just a collection of wise sayings and advice for living? Many atheists agree that there is wisdom in the teachings of Jesus Christ, but they do not believe that Jesus is a Messiah, that He performed miracles, that He walked out of His own grave, or that He prepares a place where His faithful disciples will be rewarded for eternity.

We contend that the Bible and everything it contains is supported by:

textual claims
origins of the text
extrabiblical history
the faith of martyrs
logic

archeology
geography
geology
astronomy

biology
chemistry
physics
mathematics
and more

So how important is it to you that the Bible can be proven true? Do you believe there is irrefutable evidence to its validity? Is proof something that strengthens your personal faith in the existence of God?

Should faith alone be enough to drive you to drive you to your knees? Is "blind" faith a stronger kind of faith? If so, then why did God provide so much evidence?

Go forward with us - or in this case, back to the beginning - as we continue our study next time.

Signs the System Is Cracked (Part Four)

11/27/2022

When the list gets this long, that's another sign that the educational system is cracking. Some could argue that the cracks are break up into larger holes, but let's reserve that kind of talk for another time. For now, here are five more warning signs that our schools are in danger of breaking (and there are still plenty more signs to come).

Behavior problems multiply. Some schools regularly track behavior data, but specifically limit those reports to office referrals. They do not take into account that some teachers prefer to take care of discipline in their classrooms without involving a principal. They also don't account for the ineffectiveness of some principals (How could they?). Some teachers like to establish a paper trail on students, strictly adhering to the process of a three strikes, you're out policy, while others see value in helping students through their issues with more of a coaching model. Still, in this point, we have to discuss the principal's support for the classroom teacher. If the principal is too busy taking care of district oversight, policing employees, crunching testing data, and attending meetings in another building, the undergirding support for a struggling teacher with a severe discipline issue will suffer. Teachers become disgruntled when they perceive that the principal does not understand, does not know how to solve a problem, or refuses to get involved.

Educator turnover increases. We're seeing this issue pop up across the nation. Not only do people not want to teach due to the low pay, but they also see the writing on the wall as far as politics and social justice issues that loom. These things are no longer just on the horizon; they are in the front yard and on the playground. When teachers are constantly in danger of being sued for manufactured injustices, why would they want to be teachers? When teachers are being flooded with a barrage of time-sucking requirements that do nothing to benefit students and the community, they could do something much less stressful. When teachers have to take the blame for the system's failure, it quickly becomes time to go: time to retire, time to move, time to seek another career. No one needs the type of stress that comes from working hard (and working smart) and still being blamed for failure. If the system is losing teachers, and few are in the wings to replace them, the system needs to look at the system and see where the system is failing.

No matter what, teachers believe the grass is greener elsewhere. It's pretty easy to see that the grass can be greener. Do you wonder how it feels to see students that you taught in the second grade graduate from high school and fall into jobs that pay more than yours? On one hand, it can be a source of pride as you were a part of the machine that got them there, but on the other hand, all of your hard work, inspiring countless students to success, prestige, and high-paying careers can be a downer. In decades of teaching, the teacher can only earn a certain position on the pay scale, and it's the same position that others share: it doesn't matter how effective the teacher is or how lousy, the pay is the same. There is no compensation for excellence and very little accolades to show for it. Unless a teacher can discount some of the feelings that go along with these things, the grass will always be greener elsewhere. What are the people in charge of the educational system doing to make sure there is a balance between the compensations for effectiveness and the feelings of inferiority that sometimes accompanies success?

Employees are only allowed to use the district talking points. Zip it! If you can't support the company line, there's the door. One superintendent literally told reporters that he could always find other teachers to replace his employees that didn't agree with him: that didn't set well with "his" employees. Any time the my-way-or-the-highway line is pulled out, you know something must be wrong. Not only that, but how is anyone supposed to believe or trust what a teacher says if the teacher is never allowed to take any line other than the company line. This crack is going to lead straight into the next one which addresses dissent from the company line. This whole speak-with-one-voice approach should never be the set policy. If you want me to agree with you, then you're just going to need to win me over to what you're saying. Make me want to stand with you instead of trying to intimidate me into being your zombie/slave.

Dissent is waved off. And while we're on the subject, can you not accept that your ideas may not be the best ideas? I'm talking to you, bosses and legislators. Can you not accept that your ideas may lead to the cliff? Can you not see that your ideas might be improved? If only you had an army of people who could help you find the best solutions rather than jamming things down the soldiers' throats! Do you mean to tell me that I can't disagree when I see you leading me into a mine field? Is that how you intend to win battles? I refuse to be the blind following the blind, placing my faith is a person who walks around with his fingers in his ears. Nor will I simply stick my wet finger into the air to see from which direction the wind in blowing on a particular day; in other words, I don't just operate my classroom on popular opinion. No, in the interest of helping us all conquer another hill, I don't think I can just bite my tongue and become sycophantic. Whenever you try to squash my voice and remove my freedom of speech - even in the interest of the company - that's a sign that something is wrong in said company.

Well, there you have them, just five more warning signs that the educational system is cracking. What's it going to take for just one school board, one superintendent, one principal, or one state legislature or educational department to say, "That's enough! We've played with this system for too long and received minimal successes, and now it's time to overhaul things or raze it all and start over"? It could get interesting.

Joplin: Freedom of Flight Museum

11/26/2022

A group of people from church met for a little field trip to the Freedom of Flight Museum, located on the grounds at the Joplin Regional Airport. Mr. Coit and Mr. Trumbly deliver a thorough explanation of all things aeronautical at the museum. The old control tower at the airport is a part of the museum, and it's always fun to watch planes take off and land while listening to the controllers in the newer tower across the field.

A couple of simulators invite guests to sit in the cockpit and fiddle with the countless, unknown controls. Lots of artifacts are on display in the museum, including all sorts of missiles, jet parts, schematics, ejection seats, parachutes, and more tedious parts than a regular person can comprehend.

There are also items from the space program, the Tuskegee Airmen, and maps of spotter locations and missile silos from the last world war.

Very interesting to me are a few tiny artifacts that hand on a particular wall. One is a signature from the inventor of the first airplane, Orville Wright. The second is a piece of The Spirit of St. Louis, the plane Charles Lindbergh flew on his historical transatlantic flight in 1927. The third of these items is a little square from one of Amelia Earhart's flight jackets. It intriguing to see these items from world history located right here in Joplin, Missouri.

Apply the Word: Trust

11/25/2022

I suppose a lot of us “kids” are disappointed every time it happens. You’ve seen the reaction. Every forecaster in town has predicted snow or ice. We know it may not happen, but we go to bed with hopes that school could – just might – be canceled tomorrow.

Tomorrow arrives. We awaken slowly, still hopeful, ready to turn over and go back to our dreams. Mom comes into the room. We sense her presence as she looms over us, dreading the task before her.

She announces that we will be late for school! There were no cancellations. There was no snow – no accumulation – no snowmen, no snowball fights, no snow angels.

That’s OK. We learn to deal with it. It’s a small disappointment, and by the end of the day, we’re usually fine. However, other disappointments are not as easy to handle.

The team has been winning all season. They have a real chance to win the championship. They only need to win one more game. As the clock ticks down to the end of the game, the team has the lead. Then, at the buzzer, the other team scores. It’s over.

You are sick of your job, and you’ve applied for a different position. You agonized over the opportunity. You’re confident; the interview went well; you’re more than qualified. Then you get the call: you didn’t get the job.

You dealt with the disease. You followed doctor’s orders. You rested. You took your medicine. You suffered through side effects and inconveniences. Then the doctor gives you the news: it’s back.

You looked all your life for a Godly mate. You think you found her. The relationship progresses nicely. You’re comfortable with each other. You think this might be the one. Then, out of the blue, she tells you it’s over.

Tom Norvell asks, your hopes are gone. Your dreams have faded. What might have been, will not be. What do you do? How do you deal with the disappointment?

When those following Christ faced their great disappointment and saw their dreams dying on the cross, they were confused and afraid, but they waited, they hoped, they prayed, they listened, they opened their eyes, they opened their hearts, they saw Jesus, they believed, and their disappointment turned to joy. Jesus’ appearance to them after His death renewed their faith, reinforced their hope, and their disappointment turned to joy.

No one can promise that if you pray hard enough, you’ll wake up to snow and school will be canceled, but if you look for Jesus in your disappointment, you will eventually find joy.

It doesn’t pay to worry about such things. I hope we all understand and believe the words of Christ, recorded in Matthew 6, beginning in verse 24. These were the verses that rolled over and over in my mind as I sat and stood in the waiting room at the hospital after taking my wife to the emergency room, a few years ago. Both of us were concerned that something had gone wrong, that major surgery may be necessary, that our lives had suddenly taken a turn. My mind kept coming to some of these words. The phrases drifted in and out of my head as I waited for word, any word, of her condition.

Reference Matthew 6:24-34:

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for you life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for you body as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they read, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?

And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?

Do not be anxious then, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “With what shall we clothe ourselves?” For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Of course, as most of you know, the news from our hospital experience was quite the opposite of what we feared. Truly, our disappointment was turned to joy, and thankfulness, and hope.

Don’t let worry and disappointment defeat you. Keep hope alive in your heart! Trust Jesus!

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