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???

hair

I know that this may not seem very important to all that many people, but I've gone and done something to my hair. Actually I guess I should say, I haven't done something to my hair. I haven't cut it.

Now I know that to most people this may seem quite insignificant and a little silly, but for me that is different. I haven't gone more than 4 weeks without a haircut in probably 20 years. (holy cow, that looks like a long time now that I have typed it!) But now I haven't had a haircut in almost three months!

Yesterday one of my students actually said, "Mr. Harmless... You have cool hair." Wow, for an old guy, that is pretty amazing!

I don't know when I am going to cut it. Maybe another month or so, maybe not at all...

ivanhoe

Another one is on the way.

I know that I have no room to gripe, especially considering how others have suffered... But that last hurricane flooded our laundry room. And for two days we didn't have anything to cook with because all of the pots and pans were being used to catch the water leaking in through the roof.

I am so happy that I am not a homeowner, at least not yet. The thought of repairing a roof could depress me.

But I did enjoy the cascading waterfall in the laundry room. It's tinkling drips lulled me to sleep two nights in a row.

compatibility

fun game or dangerous word

Compatibility.

In the last week I have crossed paths with this word more than once. Most recently, I played a game called Compatibility. It is a game that was made for couples, and in this game you get to find out whether or not you are "compatible" with your partner.

Each player is given a deck of cards that is composed of various pictures and words. During each round of the game you are given a word and the players have to pick out 2 to 5 cards (depending upon the place in the game) that they feel best suit that word. They initially place their cards face down and then each couple will reveal their cards in order to see how "compatible" they are. It can be fun to play, mostly because it is always entertaining to hear why people picked out certain cards for certain words.

I also ran across the word, compatibility, in a book that I am reading. It is called Christian Living in the Home by Jay E. Adams, and in the book there is a subtitle that says:
The Myth of Compatibility.

He then follows with this paragraph:

"Compatibility is a dangerous word. It does not occur in Scripture, and the concept - as normally set forth in contemporary writing and as used in popular parlance - is quite misleading and unscriptural. The common concept of compatibility, when followed by Christians and non-Christians alike, can lead to disastrous consequences."

We usually see this concept coming up when single people are looking for a potential spouse. They are questioning whether or not they are compatible with this person or that person. Then they will meet somebody that they are "more compatible" with. And suddenly, before they know it, they are waiting for this perfect person, the ideal mate; the one that they have been waiting for their whole lives. It is their "perfect match" or their "soul-mate" that will magically complete them because they were "meant-to-be."

"The Biblical fact is that no two persons are compatible... We are all born sinners, and that means that we are by nature incompatible people. For any two people to be compatible in any true sense of the terms means that they first must become Christians and then work (by God's grace) hard at the task of becoming compatible. People are not born compatible, they only become compatible by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in their lives."

I would agree with Jay Adams on this one, but there is one thing that I am not quite sure about... I am never one to place personal experience up on a pedestal, but I know that my wife is the perfect complement to me, and that I am the perfect complement to her. I absolutely cannot imagine life without her, it just wouldn't be a whole life.

To be honest with you, I am not really sure how all of this ties together, but let me share with you some basic Biblical truths that I believe could apply, regardless of the situation:

Know that God is in control.

• "The LORD will work out his plans for my life..." Psalm 138:8a
• "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9

Know that God is good.

• "You are good and do only good..." Psalm 119:68
• "O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid. " Psalm 86:5

Know that God doesn't hide his best from us.

• "The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling like waves." Isaiah 48:17,18

To the singles: May you grow in your faith today, and trust that God is in control and He will guide your steps.

To the married: May you thank God today for what He has given you. May you repent if you have not been keeping up your end of the bargain. And may you seek forgiveness today for any harm that you have caused to the one with whom you are the most compatible