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

SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL TOLERANCE

"Social tolerance means that we treat other people with respect regardless of their religious views. We believe all people are created in the image of God and therefore have dignity and worth."

"The third kind of tolerance is intellectual; that is, the question of whether one is willing to compromise his fundamental beliefs . . . Those who dialogue with other religions with the intention of integrating such beliefs . . . "

Erwin W. Lutzer
Christ Among Other gods
Moody Publishing  1994
p. 197

A man or woman is of immeasureable worth, no matter what they believe! But what each person believes bears eternal consequences.

Lutzer warns, rather emphatically, that  Christian tolerance has limits--particularly at the point where tolerance begins changing the landscape of God's Word.

We can't mix a little Christianity with a little karma, and a little astrology. What God's Word forbids, we cannot add without sinning--and without deceiving others. 

Two Scriptures come to mind: "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth. Purified seven times." Psalm 12: 6 NKJV

God's Word is not a haphazard word. It is tried and proven. Lutzer wrote another book on the trustworthiness of God's Word. It holds up under scrutiny.

"Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor." Ecclesiastes 10: 1 NKJV

Little flies--little follies become the ruin of something precious.

This has been a pretty heavy couple weeks in my blog; not where I intended to go and frankly, not where I wanted to go. But I feel it's a time and place that God has asked me to take a stand.

EverGrowing--not always willingly,
Lonnie

LEGAL TOLERANCE

"As Christians we must fight for legal tolerance; that is, the freedom for individuals to believe as they wish. No one can be coerced to believe in Christ; no one should be rejected because he belongs to another religion."

Erwin W. Lutzer
Christ Among Other gods
Moody Publishers   1994
p. 197

Lutzer refers to three kinds of tolerance, as explained by Harold Netland in Dissonant Voices: Legal, Social, and Intellectual.

America was founded on the freedom of religion; freedom to worship according to our own consciences. That doesn't mean freedom just for Christians. I admit, that's hard for me to swallow. And I think one reason might be because that freedom isn't necessarily reciprocal.

"The religions of the Far East," writes Lutzer, "often give an aura of tolerance that is particularly directed toward Western audiences. However, those who have lived in(those) countries . . . tell stories of repression, persecution, and ostracism . . . " p. 196 I see those attitudes coming to the United States. But--reciprocal or not, everyone deserves the freedom to make their own choice. And like Lutzer writes, they can't be "coerced" to believe Christ. Nor is that what we desire. The rich life we experience with Christ is because of our own "heart" decision.

I think another reason I struggle with freedom-for-all is two-fold: My own conviction that accepting Jesus Christ's death and resurrection is the only way to heaven; my conviction, also, that there are only two possible destinations, and the other option is equally "eternal." I want everyone to know the truth/Truth and to go to heaven.

The other fold is concern; my own uncertainty of where God-honoring solitude, silence, and meditation become too influenced by Eastern practices of meditation. And the possibility of the Body of Christ being deceived. 

"You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the decendents of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs." Isaiah 2:6 NIV

Psalms and Joshua tell us to meditate on God's Word/Law, on His unfailing love, on His mighty deeds, on His promises. I'm, frankly, unsure about meditating on a waterfall, eagle, or one particular word. But that's me. I've yet to work all this out. And, within the subject of this blog, I must let others work it out for themselves, as well.

How do you practice freedom-for-all? Do you incorporate meditation into your relationship with Jesus? What does it look like?

EverGrowing--Sometimes Rambling,
Lonnie

PS: Next time Social and Intellectual Tolerance to conclude my walk with Lutzer through "Christ Among Other gods."

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS AND DOCTRINAL HAIR-SPLITTING?

"How can we be active witnesses for Christ in an era of unprecedented tolerance, an era in which converting someone else to your religious views is labeled bigotry and predjudice? If tolerance is indeed a national icon, how can we witness without the stigma of self-righteousness and a penchant for doctrinal hair-splitting?"

Erwin W. Lutzer
Christ Among Other gods
Moody Publishers  1994
p. 195-6

I'm going to pull a mean one, here. I sat with this question through twelve chapters. Not unlike a novel, I hoped upon hope that I would find an answer(s) at the end. Can I ask "you" to sit with this question for a day or two? Have you struggled with it before? "I" feel like I face it every day. Concern for the lost--how do I share Jesus without turning people off? -- Should I "care" if I turn people off? Don't they at least need an "opportunity" to accept or reject the truth. Their eternity is at stake.

When I read Scripture, I like to exhaust "Word on Word" resources, if you will: cross-references, concordance, multiple readings. Once, I feel like I have an idea of what the passage means, I'll check with a commentary or two. I think that might be good to do with this subject. Without outside resources, how would you answer Lutzer's questions?

Pondering and Growing,
Lonnie

A "PASTOR" SAID "THAT?!"

"Years ago I was sitting next to a popular woman pastor at a banquet. I asked her, "'Do you believe Christ is the only way to God?'

"She replied, 'Of course! Why do you ask?'

"'Do you believe that all the religions of the world are equally valid?'

"Again the reply, 'Of course!'

"When I asked her how this could be reconciled with the view that Christ was the only way to God, she refused to answer. Undaunted, I persisted until she leaned over and whispered in my ear, 'When I speak about Christ, I'm not talking about Jesus of Nazareth!.'"

Erwin W. Lutzer
Christ Among Other gods
Moody Publishers  1994
p.115

Seriously, who'd have thought!?

Lutzer knew of this woman and her beliefs; that's why he pushed a bit in this conversation. But how many of us would have thought we were talking to another Christian? And frankly, what disturbs me is that she leaned over and "whispered." In other words, she was well aware that her words were deceptive. That while she said one thing, she meant quite another.

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God . . . " 1 John 4: 1-3

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12 NIV

(all emphasis mine)

Thank you, Erwin Lutzer, for allowing us to eavesdrop on your conversation; for showing us the need to "test the spirits" and showing us how to do so, according to God's Word.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie