porchpondering.com

Fighting for Freedom

"...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." (Ecc. 3:7b)

By Sakchai Lalit, AP

My prayers are with those who long for peace, freedom and justice in this world!

Rainy Day Reading and Laughter

One reason I bother keeping this blog going is that I like to alert people to good resources on the internet. My friend, Mark Roberts has recently posted an excellent series on the Missional Church. I was talking about the "missio Dei" long ago but Mark expresses the issue with wonderful clarity. I'm confident you'll appreciate his insight.

And if you need a little lift in your day, check out this video:

BTS Night

Every year it begins with a parking nightmare. One of the many reasons I'd rather stay home. We finally found a spot in the residential neighborhood and then hiked a few blocks. It's "Back to School" night. With two kids in middle school we divide our resources, Joy takes Andy's class schedule and I take Matthew's.

Fifteen minutes for each period with six periods to go...it's going to be at least a ninety minute investment. I wondered, "Do I really need to be here?" Denying my natural inclination toward self-preservation, I decide to hang in there. "Maybe I'll learn something about the challenges my son is facing." For the most part, I heard what I expected to hear: typical speeches about homework, assignments and tests. It's good stuff. Stuff parents need to know so that we can help our kids in the learning process. But is there anything here that's going to get my sons excited about learning? That's really the question, isn't it? So what's the answer? Well, let me highlight two things in particular:

First, my own experience confirmed that Mr. Mattson is the coolest science teacher ever. Matthew made that proclamation when he came home after the first day. Mr. Mattson believes in hands-on learning experiences. He's a show-and-tell kind of teacher, which is exactly what Matthew needs.

Second, I was unclear about one of the electives Matthew was taking. I remember suggesting a course in study skills but, somehow, he squeezed into a course titled, "Global Com Tech." I worried that it was one of those goof-off classes with minimal requirements. I sat there with a small group of parents, not knowing what to expect. After a brief introduction, the teacher said, "This is a select class. In fact, these nineteen students were selected from a pool of more than a hundred applicants." Seriously? I don't remember Matthew preparing any application (or maybe I do). So what's the class about? It's a production class where students make movies for the school. They report the news. They videotape school events. They make short films. They learn about production, editing and how to use tools like iMovie and Final Cut. That's cool. It's the kind of class that can get students excited about learning!

The bell rings. I head out to his next class, PE. After the typical speech about the importance of physical fitness, they roll a short film. It's a student produced program about the PE department, recently made by Mrs. Matter's Global Com Tech class. When Matthew's name rolled through the credits, I had my answer. This is going to be a great year of learning. I'm glad I was there to see it.

On the way back to the van, Joy and I were overflowing with excitement. One final note that has increased our enthusiasm: Joy received her student teaching assignment on Wednesday. She could have been placed anywhere in Orange County but she is now assigned to Ladera Ranch Elementary School for the first component. God is good!

Resource on Ecclesiastes

My father-in-law recently called my attention to this article that recently appeared in "The Lutheran." If you're looking for a bit of help as you read through Ecclesiastes, then check it out. Here's a sample, "One commentator says Ecclesiastes functions to remind us of the mystery and awe of God. I think Ecclesiastes grants permission to admit to spiritual moods that surely overshadow everyone at one time or another--a spirit of questioning, fatigue or wonder at the fragile beauty of it all. He sanctifies the practical search for humility before God, a life founded on compassionate action, a sense of perspective, a basic trust in God's creation. He believes it's all within reach." I hesitate to speak of trust in God's creation, but if the author means an appreciation for creation and the ability to acknowledge that I too am part of God's created order, then I'm right there with him.

A Few More Questions

20 Questions

This past Sunday we began the new series in Ecclesiastes. I gave time near the end of the sermon for us to write down whatever questions we might have in relation to faith, God, life, the world, the church, etc. In all, we collected 20 questions. I'll be incorporating these questions into the series in the weeks ahead.

Someone told me later that I should have made it an assignment. "Pass out the Post-It Notes and then have us bring them back with a question the following Sunday." Great idea! If you didn't get your question on paper, let me make a few suggestions. (1) You can send me an email (just click here) or (2) you can post your question below. (3) Write down your question and get it to me on Sunday (you can disguise your handwriting if you want to remain anonymous). (4) Inscribe your question on a twenty dollar bill and slip it under my front door (your question will receive special attention if you opt for this method). (5) Call the church office late at night to leave your question on the answering maching (on second thought, this isn't such a good method because the phone rings in my house). Well, these four options should be enough.

The push for questions comes from the opening verses of Ecclesiastes. The Preacher asks this question in verse 3, "What do people gain from all of the toil at which they toil under the sun?" It's a good question. The whole of this series will focus on important life questions. I'd love to get your input because I believe spiritual growth happens only as we commit ourselves to asking good questions and then pressing forward to find the answers.

And finally, let me leave you with one of the questions that someone asked on Sunday:

So what do you think?