Category Archives: Cultural

Dec 14 2010

At What Age Do You Tell Your Child the Truth About Santa?

I have really been struggling with this idea over the past few weeks,

“At what age do you tell your children the truth about Santa?”

I posted this thought on Facebook and Twitter the other day, and I received dozens of responses.  Of course there were those who live in fairy tale land, and still believe in the mythical version of Santa at 45 years old.  I bet they live in their parents basement. j/k :)   And there were those who were dogmatic about it, and said you shouldn’t have started to begin with.  All these answers left me feeling like there has to be some balance.  I want my child to have an imagination; I want him to challenge the norm and experience the extraordinary. I don’t want him to grow up closed minded, and so distant from reality that he is unable to function in society.

I asked myself “if I had it to do over again, would we have even started with Santa?”  My answer is not of great importance because either way he believes.  My biggest thing concerning the issue with the mythical version of Santa is Continue reading →

Sep 7 2010

Small Christian School Concerns

Kaleb started his first day at Simple Faith Christian School, and we are excited about his first grade year; however we have our concerns.  Many Christian schools are small, and limited in their resources which create many uncertainties.  I just want to list my top 5 concerns when it comes to Small Christian Schools.  This is not a documented study; however a personal assessment.  Take it for what it is… commentary.

1. Lack of social interaction:

Christians have a tendency of going in the three different directions.  One we segregate ourselves from the world, and cut off ourselves from evangelical opportunities. Two we saturate ourselves in the world to the point that no one would know the difference.  Three we separate ourselves from the things of this world while at the same time engage the culture around us for the cause of Christ.  It is my prayer that through this private Christian school experience Kaleb will be able to adapt to the third direction.  We also hope that being in this type of atmosphere does not hinder him from making new friends, and interacting within society.

2. Lack of education opportunities:

Although there is more of a one-on-one teacher to student ratio in small Christian schools there is the factor that due to the number of teachers and students they can only offer so much.  Educational electives within public schools far out way that of small Christian Schools.  We had to consider what is more important for us… public school with computer classes, art, music, sign language, etc… or strong Bible teaching.  For us he can learn these other important skills at home.

3. Lack of involvement in extra curricular activities:

Many small Christian schools do not have the funding or resources to offer many extra curricular activities such as sports, band, FFA, FBLA, and so on, so that is something else one must consider before enrolling their child in such schools. However because we live in a community that offers many of these programs through the city and home school networks this concern wasn’t as crucial as we first thought.  Kaleb has many opportunities to get involved in sports teams, scouts, and other various groups that will be able to engage him.

4. Lack of challenge and stimulation:

This is always a factor when it comes to our son.  Kaleb constantly needs a challenge and stimulation or he will find himself board and un-attentive.  This is a problem that I think every school struggles with, but especially small schools.  Make sure the school you are looking at enrolling your child in has a successful method of engaging your child.

5. Lack of creativity:

Structure is very important in small Christian schools, however it can sometimes be so overbearing to the point that it quenches creativity.  It is our goal as parents that our son learns to be creative, authentic, passionate, and one who strives for excellence.  We just hope that the strict structure within the school does not hinder these values and goals we have for our son.  We do realize however that the structure within this school is exactly what Kaleb needs, and that is why we enrolled him in a Christian school.  Hopefully with a balanced structure at home and school we will see him grow into the man who God wants for him to be.

It is important for every individual to weigh the odds, and for us it was a no brainer.  Public school was just not an option due to all the negative influences that consist within the public school system.

I also highly recommend you pray about enrolling your child in a private school before making any haste decisions.  Small Christian schools and private schools are not for everyone.  The great thing is that you do have options: Public School, Private School, Home School, Arts Schools, Prep Schools, Christian Schools, etc…  Pray about it, and choose wisely.  This is your child’s future we are talking about.

I want to close by thanking all of the teachers out there who work so hard to provide a quality education to our children.  There are great teachers and great schools all over the United States from all various educational options/opportunities.

Aug 18 2010

How to Excel When Going Back 2 School

How to Excel When Going Back 2 School –  from the Life of Daniel (Dan.1)

In the third year (605 B.C.) of the reign of Jehoiakim King Judah, King Neuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Judah, and after this the King commanded Ashpenaz the chief eunuch to assemble a group of youth together for education purposes.  So Daniel along with several other young men was chosen to serve in Nebuchadnessar’s court (Babylon High).  In a sense Ashpenaz was like an instructor/mentor/overseer, and Nebuchadnessar was like the principle.  v.1-3

We also see from scripture that each of these students were skillful, knowledgeable, and capable of surviving school.   However it is not about simply surviving; it is about how you survive.  Often times as students you tend to do just enough to get by, but find yourself unsatisfied with where you are in life, and that is because you are not living up to your full potential. Daniel along with these other students would be cared for and educated for three years.  The Bible says that each of them were competent to stand, but have you ever wanted to do more than just stand? I don’t want to just stand, I want to soar. V.4-5

Daniel along with his 3 friends could of easily gone along with the crowd, but they had set in their hearts that they didn’t just want to stand with the crowd, but they wanted to soar/excel above the rest.

We can learn a lot from Daniels example when it comes to Excelling in School.

1. Be competent in your ability to stand against the crowd. v.4 (Phil. 4:13)

2. Form a core group of friends that will be able to support one another. v.6-7

3. Inform a teacher/mentor/counselor/advisor of your desire to excel in school v.8-9 

                When you seek counsel from such individuals, God will see your desire to change, and will be likely to work in the hearts of that/those individual(s) to have compassion upon you. Some may show apprehension (v.10), however when you prove faithful you will have gained their approval and respect.

4. Determine what areas of your life you wish to advance or excel in. (Physical/Mental/Spiritual)

                Daniel wanted to be closer to God, and wanted to grow spiritually, but he also knew that by eating healthy he would not be as sluggish, and it would help him physically and mentally.v.12

5. Prove to be faithful, by challenging individuals to hold you accountable. V.11-14

6. Stay committed to the cause. v.14-16

As a result, they were healthier and brighter than the rest. They were blessed with learning and skill.  There was none like them.  They were 10 times better than the rest. v.17-20

Reflections:

  • What is one thing you can do in your life that is going to make you more confident in your ability to stand against the crowd?

 

  • Name 2-4 core people you could trust in to be your friend and help support you in your decision to excel in your life?  Name 1 teacher/mentor/counselor/advisor who would be able to hold you accountable at school?

 

  • What 1-2 areas in your life would you like to see most excel over the next school year?

 

  • What are some ways you can challenge your friends/mentors to hold you accountable?

 

  • What are some ways that you can stay committed to the cause?
Mark & ufc
Jun 25 2010

Ultimate Fighting – Divine or Destructive?

I have been practicing the martial arts for the last 5 years actively instructing classes two and sometimes three times a week, everything from traditional, sport, and even mixed martial arts. However, over the past year this has become more controversial within the religious community, especially with the extreme growth of the UFC. I have to admit that it is a dangerous sport, but at the same time I will be the first to defend its nature. As a martial artist and a pastor I have grown to love multiple aspects of ultimate fighting to include the camaraderie, pureness, sportsmanship, and devotion.

Sure there are aspects to the sport that we could do without, but to simply judge this single sport would be hypocritical. Football for example: guys pulverizing each other, alcohol advertisements, drunk fans, cheerleaders, yet millions of fans tune in (many of them Christian).  Don’t be so quick to condemn, until you have considered.

I think Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church makes an awesome statement in this video:

What do you think: Divine – Destructive – UnDecided?

Sep 9 2009

Deer Fever

With deer season just around the corner, I have already got the fever.  I can’t wait to get out into the deer woods.  I just bought a new Mossberg 30.06 and I am ready to put it to use.  I’m planning on tuning up the Browning bow this weekend, followed by some time at the range. 

deer articleLast year I had a bad season, but I am destined to get one this year.  Anyways, I blog about this, because my wife knows how I get about this time of year.  I get impatient, and I need to go out and kill something.  I got to be a man!! Argh argh argh… no just kidding.  In reality I enjoy the deer woods so much, because It is the one time a year where I get to get out alone with God in the great outdoors.  It is a very intimate time with me and God.  “Search your hearts and be silent.” Ps. 4:4  Because of this my wife sent me this article that was actually paid to be published in a local newspaper.  You have to read it to believe it.  Enjoy!  In the mean time, I think I am going to go out back and pick some venison jerky off of my jerky tree.  :)  

Three and a half more weeks until I get my hunt on.