Judge says Inauguration Prayer a Go!
What's wrong with this guy? First he fights to get "under God" removed from the pledge, now he says there can be no "Christian prayer" at the Inauguration. The Associated Press reported Michael Newdow claims that the prayer would "force him to accept unwanted religious beliefs." Luckily, a US district judge ruled that Newdow had no grounds. How easily would it have been for the ruling to come before a different judge, with a different result? I'd like to file an injunction or two against this man. His views offend me, and I refuse to have his beliefs forced upon me. Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger? I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
The Difficulty of Witnessing in the Workplace!
Today I received an e-mail from a 90&9 reader from Vermont who is also in the education field. My VT friend asked about my experience witnessing in the workplace, and I certainly understand why should would ask. The education field is extremely anti-Christianity. I would say anti-religious, but the truth is that they're "open-minded" and "tolerant" of all other religious practices. On top of which, endorsing any religious preference in the classroom is grounds for dismissal. So what, under those circumstances, are my experiences with witnessing? I did a whole lot of praying and learning to trust God before He gave me this job. When I walked into a perfect position, I knew it was God opening the door before me. I'm a firm believer that God does things on purpose, so I knew there was someone who I was to be a light to, and things that I was to learn. The truth is that while church is my life, I didn't find myself giving extra-credit for coming to youth service with me, nor was I teaching Bible studies in the lunch room. Instead, I just went about my tasks and assumed God would work out the rest of the details. Letting students know where I stood came fairly early. Whether for purposes of distracting the teacher, or actual interest, students loved to ask what I did over the weekend. My answer was easy, "Saturday night was youth service, and Sunday was regular church service." And when youth events were coming, I'd throw a postcard on the shelf behind my desk. It was not an invite to them, it was merely a reminder to me. If they happened to ask about it, I was just answering their questions. In one class, I had a young lady who is also in my youth department. Often we'd discuss services or upcoming events. Other students would overhear, and never wanting to be left out, would ask about our discussion. It gave the opportunity for this young lady to witness to them without my ever having to say a word. Teachers were a whole 'nother matter altogether. When discussing our weekend plans, the teacher in the room next to me commented on a class she was taking, when I showed interest, she explained that it was the basic "to become a church member" class. She and her husband had moved and, because of distance, had found a new church. We had many conversations throughout the course of the semester and each learned how important our faith was to the other. We became allies, and sound boards to one another. After 5+ months of teaching, she's still the only Christian I've discovered in the school. God certainly placed me in the right spot. Not only is she the only Christian I've found, but she's very nearly the only teacher I've not heard bashing Christianity. The lunch room was the worst, and my favorite colleague the worst of the worst. While faith occassionally came up in conversation, this co-worker/friend brought it up to criticize at least once a week. These teachers (wonderful human beings though they are), commented on the ignorance of the creation theory from a science standpoint, from a literature standpoint, and from a mathematical standpoint. They criticized the group of mothers who belonged to the same church and wanted to know and have a say in what their children were being taught. One mother demanded a different novel for her student (something parents are always welcome to do), and I had several back and forths from a mother of one of my students who questioned the same text. I heard more than a joke or two made at their expense.So where was my witness? Well, it certainly wasn't found arguing with these teachers. Instead it came out at different opportunities. They wanted to know what this volunteer class I was teaching on Tuesday nights was. "Oh, for your church," ended that conversation rather quickly. When one commented "their religion comes when it's convenient." I replied, "I don't know about that, that's not the case with me." And lastly, I risked the ultimate when I corrected the department head as she attempted to relate a Bible story in order to criticize. As nicely as I could, and as innocently as I could muster, I stopped her and explained her error. The correction completely took away her argument. I was scared to death this powerful person would hate me, instead she loved that I was knowledgeable. I can go on and on, parents who mentioned their church and gave me the opportunity to say, "oh what church do you go to? I go here." The administration who asked if all my experience in private schooling and working in my church made working at a public school difficult. The truth is that the door never opened for me to teach a Bible study, or invite anyone to church. They never even asked me what exactly I believed. But I know I did my job. God placed me there for a reason, and so I know that somewhere a seed was planted or watered. I made great friends in my time there, and maybe these relationships will allow me an opportunity to witness in the future. I hope, my dear VT reader, that I've answered your question. My witnessing experiences were neither big, nor bold. They were day to day, normal life kinda things. I'm sure yours are as well!Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger? I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
Hello, hello, anybody out there?
Well, I must've hit a nerve and then immediately crushed any hope of conversation. Other than a few back and forths, I haven't heard much from my listening audience :). Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger? I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
Miserable Mud Puddles
Today I was fairly miserable feeling. I blame it on lack of sleep and work stress. To escape the all of it I made my weekly trip to Target to spend my gift card (Christmas present from a student, love the holidays!). The weather was yucky (<~~ wow, good description :), it matched my mood amazingly. I got out of my car, attempting to avoid the 500 cart carriage being pushed by an oblivious worker. As I was walking in, I had to step out of the way of a 3 foot, blonde creature, with bright pink shoes who was jumping in a mud puddle. When her mother attempted to scold her, she replied, "But Mom, that's why they make puddles!!" Well, I certainly don't know who they are, but after listening to that, I wanted to jump in a few mud puddles of my own. Thank you little blonde creature, you saved my day. Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger? I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
News on Josh Groban!
In response to many of your kind inquiries, I've yet to convert Josh. No worries, I'm going ahead with wedding plans without him for now :). You all are invited to the wedding.Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger? I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
Responding to your Responses on Pentecostalism!
Several of you have e-mailed responding to my last blog. I love getting mail! The thing that surprises me is that most of you commented that it wasn't the UPCI specifically that was experiencing such growth, but tongue-talkers in general. That was surprising to me because I never would have assumed it to mean one organization, or even the organizations that closely resemble one another. It actually caught me off-guard that readers would think the article could be taken that way. So that brings me to a question: Are so many of us so unaware that we actually would think such a reference would be to only our organization, or the small grouping of organizations that are so closely tied? Hmmm.... pondering....Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger? I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
Buying Stock in the Pentecostal Movement!
More Religion, but Not the Old Time Kind, is the title of Laurie Goodstein's article on the rise of religion, specifically the Pentecostal movement, in Sunday's New York Times. At a time when I have to listen to Christian-bashing at the lunch table, and US citizens are being warned to fear the rise of Christian fundamentalism because of the recent election, Goodstein's article seems both out of place, and enormously encouraging. She claims that while religion is on the rise, the fasting growing religion is our very own Pentecostal movement. Goldstein continues making very positive comments about Pentecostalism. She states that Pentecostalism is not about being separatists, but evangelists, and that our focus is not on fundamentalism, but on "spirit-filled" worship. I was so excited after reading it, that I sent the article along to several friends. Kent Curry pointed out that the same professor cited by Goodstein is not new to 90&9. Another article was written up and linked by KC in an earlier edition, The New Religious World: Do You See It? I'm excited! Are you?Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger?I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
New Staff Baby!!
Congratulations to 90&9 staffer Josh Lewis and his wife on the birth of their son, Jathan Dane Lewis. See picture of the newest 90&9 member, Jathan1.jpg!
Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger?I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
Tsunami!
Tsunami! I vaguely remember learning about the destructive wave in an Earth Science class years ago. I surely don't remember the details. Now, when I tune into my local news site, there's no escaping pictures and stories of the devastation of last week's tsunami. Amid information of the chaos, you can read the protection of God's hand Tsunami! Prayer Still Protects! and Tsunami News: Devastation and Miracles. The amazing thing I've found is the way in which the world has come together to support the need. One of my students has started a project to raise money here at the school. So I've begun to wonder, what should I do? My giving goes mainly to the missions program, and it is easy to sit back and say "I'm doing my share." But these are unique circumstances, and a special need, maybe I should do more than my share. What about you? What are you doing?Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger? I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
Finals Week!!!
I remember the dread of finals week as a student. Staying up too late-trying to study. A nervous stomach, and the feeling that you didn't study enough, and the prayer that if God would just get you through this exam, you'd be sure to study so much harder next time. Finals week is still horrid. How ridiculous to have 4-6 major tests all in less than week. Tests that are not only absurd (comprehensive anyone?), but weigh 20% of your semester grade. No wonder the sweaty palms. Exam week is no better as a teacher. Trying to create a tests that truly is comprehensive, yet not so difficult that perfectly good students destroy their grade in an hour and a half period. Not to mention, tests that can be graded and recorded by Friday afternoon. So a teacher that never uses scantron for any reason (me), suddenly has to create all scantron related tests. Ugh. I love my job, but I don't care who you are, finals week is the worst! Thoughts? E-mail them to 99blogger@ninetyandnine.com. Who is 99blogger? I reserve the right to quote you unless otherwise specifically requested.
