EDUCATION!

"Reorganizing American education is a priority on a level with containing the war on terrorism, for it is just as essencial to national and economic security."

Tom Brokaw
The Time of Our Lives
Random House 2011


I know it should be a no-brainer; but somehow I missed it. Education is important!

My brother got straight A's all through highschool, even though he took one more class per semester than was required. You can't waste intelligence like that. He went to college.

I wanted to be a writer--or an x-ray tech, or lab tech. I ended up in beauty school. In several ways, it has served me well. It put me in the right place and the right time to meet my husband. That's a huge plus!

However, he was injured early in our marriage. So, when we talked about college to our children, it was with this attitude: "if you want to go to school, you'll have to earn your own way." My attitude should have been, "You can do anything you want if you are willing to work for it."

Tom Brokaw writes about Anthony Smith, a principal at Taft High School, and Jack Cassidy, a CEO of Cincinnati Bell. They made clear their heightened expectations for both teachers and students. The school's transformation drew students from outside the neighborhood. "Taft's graduation rate in ten years went from 21 percent to more than 95 percent. Proficiency in math and reading jumped to 95 percent in the same period." (The Time of Our Lives p. 47) I've run across other such stories. I'm always encouraged. We have some fantastic teachers who truly care for those in their charge.

The Other Wes Moore, a book Brokaw writes about captured my interest. Two men, named Wes Moore, who lived within blocks of each other, ended up on completely different paths: One a Rhodes scholar and one in prison. Were I to summarize the reason, after reading the book, I'd say education and a great mom. A mom who handled the temptations teens face with wisdom. I would pass that same compliment onto Mrs. Carson.

Ben Carson, M.D., renown neurosurgeon, came out of a single parent home and one of poverty. Those circumstances usually play out quire differently: welfare, crime, or minimum wage jobs. Education and a "can do" attitude changed the score. His mom didn't just give up when Ben and his brother brought home poor report cards. She shut off the TV and required they read two books a week. Of course, neither liked that at first. She wanted a  better life for them and she knew education was critical for that to happen.

Carson shares a bold truth in, America The Beautiful: "The very fact that powerful men in the South went to great lengths to prevent slaves from gaining an education makes it clear that they fully understood how empowering education can be. That fact alone should encourage anyone who is poor, weak, and/or powerless to direct all their energy toward obtaining an education." (emphasis mine)
(p. 57/p. 60--Nook)

I wish I could get my heart out on this page. I didn't realize how important education was; I thought it was meant for a select few. . . those born with an extra measure of intelligence; those with money. I'm learning that this isn't true. Anyone willing to work, or ask for help may attend college or a trade school that expresses their interests. I am also learning that, in this age where much physical labor is being replaced by technology, additional schooling is critical.

 Ben Carson came to love learning. Me too, once I started reading.  Education, be it formal or informal, adds richness and security to our lives; and I believe strengthens our nation, as well. 

I suspect I'll touch on education, again. Till then . . . 

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

"With all their backbreaking hard work, they felt it unfair to have a significant portion of the fruits of their labors confiscated by a government that neither represented their interests nor respected their freedom."

Ben Carson, M.D.
America The Beautiful
Zondervan Publishing 2012
p. 19

Escalating taxes without interests being represented and without respect for freedom. I find the similarities quite striking between Great Britain of old and the current U.S.

If we-the-people vote something down, it no longer means anything--unless it's pay-offs, manipulation, or adding the "no" to a bill that would be inhumane to vote anything but yes for.

Many young people (and others) have given up on voting. They determine either that their vote doesn't matter, or that all choices are equally bad. I understand. I, too, am tempted. But I fear that not voting invites a dictatorship; and that not necessarily overnight.

Ben Carson reminds us that some of Britain's subjects felt a fight for freedom was too risky. They preferred to hold on to their current benefits. I, too, am fearful and a low risk taker. But, I'm old enough now to have seen progressive losses.

So . . . we don't fight (protest, speak out, write editorials or our elected officials) for fear of losing benefits, freedoms, or friends. My dear citizen, unless we exhibit courage and strength, we could well lose them anyway.

Matthew 24:43 tells us that "if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into."

We are watching. Do we misunderstand? Are we going to "watch" them walk off with our money to support things against our better judgment and our morals? Will we watch them walk off with our freedom of religion? Our freedom of speech?

Do we think they're borrowing our freedom and will return it in the condition with which we gave it to them?

I don't think so.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

GATHERING HOPE

Most conversations concerning our government leave me with an overwhelming sense of fear or a sick feeling of hopelessness. I can't hide in a closet or stuff my ears with silly putty (or worship music); but neither can I survive in a constant state of anger and fear.

I, who flunked every quiz on current events; who barely passed history and geography seem an unlikely candidate for books on politics. And I don't possess an ounce of activism. But that's where I am these days. 

If these are the End Times, I don't feel right just sucumbing to the evil forces directing it. If, the Church and the nation can be restored to what they were meant to be, I want to, at least, be knowledgable enough to pray. Better yet, I hope to be a purveyer of truth and hope. 

Let me begin with a recommended reading list:

America The Beautiful by Ben Carson, M.D.
One Nation by Ben Carson, M.D.
Christ Among Other gods by Erwin W. Lutzer
Where Was God? (Lutzer)
Seven Reasons Why You Can Trust The Bible (Lutzer)
Falling In Love With America Again by Jim DeMint
Times of Our Lives by Tom Brokaw
The Bible

I'm excited about what I'm learning. Hope you will come along.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie