Saturday Morning

There aren't many things that I look forward to more than Saturday Mornings.

Ever since I was a kid I have enjoyed the Saturday morning cartoons, the sitting around, and the eating of unhealthy breakfast foods. And since my wife just bought some Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch, I think that tomorrow moring I will be all set!

I usually get up a little earlier than Sam, make myself some Coffee and relax. Once Sam is awake we get some breakfast and plop down at the coffee table to watch some cartoons.

I think that my current favorite is called Teen Titans. It is a little weird because it has Robin, from the Batman and Robin Duo.

Well, I need to get to bed so I can be well rested for my saturday morning kid time.

twenty seven

I am not alone (with some really cool links)

The 27 conspiracy (with some cool links)

Properties of the number 27

The number 27 on the Bible Wheel

On the number 27

Meditations on 27 (a poem)

27 rationales for war in Iraq

27 articles of T. E. Lawrence

Title 27 - Intoxicating Liquors (even though I don't drink)

27 fundamental beliefs of the 7th day Adventist

27 lines on a cubic surface

27 star flag

27 countries had nuclear bombs deployed during the cold war

La Generacion del 27 (a famous group of poets and artists called the generation of 27)

27 people involved in the abuse of prisoners

27 in numerology (it shows up and means something

27 in numerology (again)

27 in astrospeak (who knows...)

and many more from Google

Mathematicians who were born or died on the 27th of...

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August (my birthday)
• September
• October
• November
• December

I was born 8/27/72, my wife was born 2/27/74, I have 2 sisters and we are each 7 years apart, my social security number contains the number 27, but since this is the internet, I won't mention how it does, on 2/27/27 I will turn 54 1/2 (54 times 1/2 is 27), I started teaching when I turned 27 and at that first school the school's phone number was 447-2727 and I was extension #127.

I realized today that I have 27 desks in my room, and 27 posters on the walls, I have used 27% of my hotmail capacity, and 27% of my flickr picture uploads for the month.

The number 27 shows up all of the time, I probably see the number 27 at least 3 to 4 times a day. It is really weird, but since I am not superstitious then I don't really care... although, yesterday I was at the gas station getting my morning coffee and I noticed that on the counter there were numbered boxes of lottery tickets. Now for several days that box was empty, but today there was a roll of tickets in it. And I looked, and the next ticket up was #217! I tell you, if I would have had the money to buy it, I would have!

More 27's later!

devotion

devotions... I don't know if this word means the same thing to everybody, but in many Christian circles the word "devotions" is referring to the time that we set apart to "devote" to God. Ususally some reading of a passage of the Bible, and a little time in prayer will suffice for most of us. But is that really sufficient?

I love being able to check items off of my Palm Pilot "to-do" list, but is that all devotions are? Some heavenly "to-do" item, that we are able to check off for the day? Is a simple reading of the Word of God adequate, or is there more that is expected? Or maybe that is the wrong question entirely. Maybe it isn't that we are doing the wrong thing, maybe we are just doing it the wrong way. Could it be that Godly devotion just isn't complete without a heart-felt delight. Consider this Psalm:

How blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
--Psalm 1

As I type out this Psalm, I know that my own time that I spend reading the Bible and praying has been feeling a little incomplete lately. I had decided to read through the Psalms again, and after I read that first chapter, I was reminded again of how important it is to delight in God's Law.

That word delight means to take pleasure in. Not just set aside some time, but to truly value the very words of God. Maybe my pitiable little devotions are useless if I have not set my heart upon the truth.

And notice that a man's delight is going to be somewhere. Either in the way of the world, or in the truth. It is going to be one or the other.

Ahhh... but the results of delighting in the Way of God will be stable, nourishing and fruitful. There is value in that. It is only, and I repeat ONLY, when your value is placed in Him that you will have a prosperous life.

If you have set your heart on finding delight in anything else, turn away! They are useless, and you will also be useless. You will be like the Chaff that the wind drives away. Flee from those delights!

poise

I don't know what it is about a camera, but when one is in my room, I just can't "pretend" like it isn't there. I have to pose!

What kind of pose is this anyway? When would a math teacher ever need to display the board like this? It's ridiculous, I know.

I just wish that they would have added all of the pictures of me "helping" students with some questions, or looking intently at the ceiling whilst I thoughtfully stroke my goatee. One of those pictures would have been great, but instead I look like some alternate universe Vanna White displaying correct answers for the math class contestants.

In reality I am posting this picture because of the recent requests for a current picture of my hair. I know that most people who see this picture will think, "man, that isn't long!" But c'mon! It is long for me, so cut me some slack!

Take special note of the long sideburns... never had those before! My wife thinks I am going for the Elvis look. Uh-huh!

27

twenty-seven

God Wrote a Book (review)

God Wrote a Book, by James McDonald
James McDonald is one of my favorite authors. He writes in a very understandable fashion, and seems very down to earth.

Summary: The Bible is God's word. Really. This book gives a brief, but very educated view of the Bible. It is written in such a way that a person who is totally "unchurched" could read it. In fact, I think that it is written specifically for that audience. It covers topics including, evidence for the Bible, a short history of the Bible, and the message/purpose of the Bible.

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I read it in one afternoon. I would absolutley recommend this book to anyone who is interested in solidifying their belief that the Bible is the Living Word of God.

But I would also recommend this book to anyone who is doubting the validity of the Bible itself. If anyone is thinking, why not the Koran, or some other book... Here is an excellent explaination.

It is written in such a way that any non-believer could pick it up, and at least... at the very least, see that believing the Bible is a valid conclusion.

Consider picking this book up. It would make a great addition to any Bible Scholar's library. And if you are here by accident, and you have wondered whether or not the Bible has anything to say to you, I would like to encourage you to read this book.

I want to give this book a high rating, but I haven't devised a rating system yet! So how about 4 stars! (out of 4, of course...)

grades

I just finished figuring my grades.

It is always such a relief when I get that done. I think that most teachers would agree that if they could eliminate one thing from teaching, it would be the paperwork. Even if those other teachers don't agree... I would eliminate it!

I am just happy that I am done. Next thing is to deal with all of those parents that don't think that their little Johnny Boy deserves the grade that he received.

Oooh! It just hit me... I wonder if I am going to get a progress report from Sam's teacher? Oh great! Now I am on the other side of it. I wonder what kind of parent I am going to be???