Pencils - the key to your child's future

You don't really need an expensive child psychologist to test your kid to inform you as to his or her high IQ. No, the difference between the normal student and the above average student can be summed up by one or two simple indicators. Does your child check the PIV (parent internet viewer) as soon as they arrive home to see how their grades have changed since they left home at 8:55 am? And does your child have several pencils that are exceptional in quality for the purpose of doing many mathematical practice problems? Do they look like this? or this? If they look like either one of these, then you have yourself a gifted individual! Students who try to write with pencils that look like they fell into a wood chipper are destined to be average. Mark it down. And if the eraser has been reduced down by countless mathematical errors, so much so, that any attempt at further erasure means a giant hole will be forever etched into his/her homework, then this is indisputable evidence of the averageness of your kid.
Furthermore, your kid will be on welfare very soon if he/she routinely shows up to standardized testing with no pencil at all. This behavior shows signs of living on the edge, and a willingness to depend upon other people for that which they themselves should provide. Not to mention it demonstrates a complete disregard for the quality of the pencil that he or she will be using on a high stakes test! My dear friend, smart students care. They care about their grades and they care about their writing instruments. It is just that simple.

Evangelism

The Great Commission demands that we do more than merely build large churches and collect large offerings. We are to follow Christ, recognize his lordship, and make genuine disciples (learners) of Christ. The Great Commission is not a mandate - to seek nominal conversions or for church growth or to change our culture in a large but superficial way. We should seek out people one on one through relationships, and raise godly families as well. We must actively engage people with the gospel as we encounter them day to day. I believe in the kind of reformed theology that is aggressive in prayer for all things and does not see God as so sovereign that prayer becomes some dry useless activity because "God is going to do what God is going to do". God rewards faithful prayer! I also believe in the kind of reformed theology that is outreach oriented and decidedly evangelistic. Just because many in evangelical circles have settled by making nominal Christians, does not mean that evangelism itself is misguided and naive. May God continue to raise up leaders and churches like the Village led by Matt Chandler, Mars Hill led by Mark Driscoll, and Sovereign Grace Churches led by C.J. Mahaney where God's initiative in salvation is emphasized, but they are very aggressive in prayer and evangelism.

Does God Hate Haiti?

Al Mohler on the Haiti earthquake.

Hillcrest

The family and I went to Hillcrest Baptist in Pensacola today. That seems to be a very good church. I was definitely impressed with the pastor (Jim Locke) and his message. Pat Mobley did an outstanding job leading music. The Spirit of God was in the service and I was convicted, and moved to tears. It was a refreshing day and I need some more days like today to get my bearings again. God is good.

so much control

I am reading Tim Keller's book Counterfeit Gods. It is a good read. Here is something Josh Harris commented about the book.

http://www.joshharris.com/2009/12/dependent_creatures.php

HT: Josh Harris

Colt McCoy

Colt did well.

A Good Math Day

I had a good day at school today. I gave my classes feedback on a recent Algebra II test. Most of my students did very well on this one, and when they do well it sure is nice. I also tutored a few students before school and had a brief math faculty meeting before school. We found out that we each get $500 to spend on our classroom. Since I recently painted my room with my own money, I might get a new desk and chair. My desk is presently being propped up with about 5 hardback books because one of the legs is broken off. We also found out a little bit about how our Professional Development is going to be done this year. That was interesting. And then I had several people contact me through email who wanted to get my help for their sons and daughters with their math classes. I am truly loaded down. I am reminded of the number of times my wife has told me that math is ministry. Yea.
Then I taught the same hour lesson four times in a row with a mere 25 minute lunch break. Today's lesson was a progression of how to add and subtract all the many different kinds of fractions - even fractions with algebraic expressions in them. I had fun and even got many laughs from my attempts at humor. Awesome, yet simple day. I am going to miss these kids.
Linda and I ate at Jerry's Cajun tonight and then we went and looked around Best Buy for a while. Later, Linda got to buy something at Old Navy. We came home and I built a nice fire. Linda is good people.

Unfashionable

Here is a good post from a blog that i like to read.