HARMLESS THOUGHTS

Well I am here at the school (again), finishing up the last of my grades. I have a test and a half to grade. Then I have to enter in these last grades. Then I am done. After today I will not be a white collar worker, I will resume my job as a furniture mover which will make me a blue-collar no-collar worker, which is frankly the job that is more suited to my intellectual abilities. My background music for this last little bit: Cool Hand Luke, the Fires of Life.

I learned something new about myself today: Too many people get me overwhelmed. I saw so many people today that I would have liked to spend about an hour or so with each of them. But there were so many all in the same place, all at the same time, that I ended up spending absolutely zero time with any of them. I would like to talk more about this experience later, but I did want to do a short post just to let any of those people know that I didn't neglect them on purpose. I love them all.

"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus teh forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the Law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 'Look, you scoffers,     wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days     that you would never believe,     even if someone told you.'" -- Acts 13:38-41 (NIV)

Well, I gave my first two exams today: the Algebra I exam, and the Prealgebra exam. The results aren't in yet, I am about half done grading the first one right now. Since I know that all of you out there are still using the Algebra that you learned in Algebra I, I would like to post 4 questions on this blog. Post your answers in the comments. (If anyone can get all 4 of them right, maybe I will put an extra point on every Algebra exam... or something like that. Am I allowed to do that? Of course I am! I am the teacher! Ha, ha ha! Hmm... maybe if nobody can get all 4 of them right, I will take off points... Oh yeah! ...Wait a minute, hold those phones kiddies, I am just joking !) Here they are: 1. Simplify this expression. 2. Solve this absolute value inequality. 3. Solve this system of linear equations. 4. Solve this quadratic equation.

It is Saturday, and I am at the school typing my final exams. How fun.

For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction -- because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty. Malachi 2:7 (NIV) There are some things that just ought to be. One of them is that a priest ought to preserve knowledge. Out of a priest's mouth, there should be a flow of instruction. This just ought to be. I know that things are different now than Malachi's time. But I think that the principle is the same. And I am thinking specifically of teachers and pastors. As a teacher, I know that whatever happens in my classroom, under my watch, teaches something. I usually summarize it by saying, "What happens, teaches." I picked this phrase up at some point in the last 5 years of teaching, but I can't remember where now. The point is that it is totally true. It puts a whole new perspective on what I allow, and what I don't allow. For example, let's say that I tell a class not to talk, and then a few minutes lat...

This time of year is so frustrating as a teacher. It is so busy. And it doesn't matter how hard I try, there is always more to do. Oh, and to top everything off, the students are so extremely restless. Doesn't leave much time to blog. Later.

I think that one of the most interesting side-effects of blogging, is when your students begin to blog. Generally, when people begin any form of on-line journaling, they feel a little bit more free to express themselves. Sometimes these student-bloggers are anonymous, which brings even more freedom to speak one's mind. Their thoughts and feelings begin to pour out on a computer screen and sent off into the world. And many times things that never would have been shared vocally, are being shared. When these blogs are not anonymous, but the writers are still very free with their thoughts, this can lead to trouble. There are many that just spout off too much, then people are hurt and/or offended by what has been written. Sometimes students will do new postings and read each others blogs on a daily basis. When this happens, it almost becomes a little community. This kind of student blogging is the most interesting. When students begin sharing their real feelings on different topics, suc...

I have finally done it. I started a 27 blog .

Time to Go... ...get a new clock. Actually, I think that I like my new "post-it note" clock. It is kinda stylish. I wonder if it will catch on. Maybe I should try to patent the idea.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress' I will never be shaken. How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down -- this leaning wall, this tottering fence? They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they blessl but in their hearts they curse. Selah Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah Have you ever seen any of those pictures from an Irish hillside. There is this beautiful landscape, and criss-crossed across the hills are these ancient stone fences. The ones that were built by hand hundreds of years ago. Usually when I see these scenes, it is on some public televisio...

"Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands." --Malachi 1:10 Shut the doors! One of you, please shut the doors! The first chapter in the book of Malachi is all about how the sacrifices of the people had become a ritual. They were doing what they were supposed to do, but they were not bringing their best. They were bringing the diseased, crippled and blind sacrifices. The garbage of the flock. The ones that were going to die anyway. And God was not pleased. Now, you might be thinking, "what does this have to do with me?" I will tell you: You, your life, is to be a sacrifice. What kind is it? Consider the words of Paul that he wrote to the people of the Roman Church: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is...

In case you didn't know, it is National Teacher's Day. And since yours truly is a teacher, I just thought that I would let you know. Maybe I will work on my Froogle list today, just in case you want to get me something.

The Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan I found this book sitting in the basket of books in the bathroom. So it started off as a "bathroom book" but it eventually made its way to my book bag, and then onto the side of this blog. I think its short, easy to read chapters drew me in. Here is my review of this book: Summary: The Red Sea Rules is a short study on the situation that the Israelites found themselves in on the shores of the Red Sea. It uses this story and the lessons to apply them to today's situations. All of us find ourselves in tough situations from time to time. The book, which is full of great quotes and some excellent short story illustrations begins with this quote from C.H. Mackintosh: The sea was before them, Pharaoh's hosts behind them, and the mountains around them. And all this, be it observed, permitted and ordered of God. Ultimately, we all need to recognize this truth. God is and always will be in control of the situation. And His purpo...