Another Book

I just finished reading Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point. The book looks at life through a different lens. The lens is not Christian in any way, but parts of the book are the product of sincere research.

The book's premise is that little things can have big effects, and Gladwell, in the pages of his book, provides evidence to support such a premise. He writes of epidemics and pandemics and how little things provide the means of tipping something out of equilibrium. Gladwell believes that there are three agents of this type of change: the law of the few, the stickiness factor and the power of context. He spends the majority of the book explaining each in great detail. I do take exception with some of the arrived conclusions of his analysis of the research, but, in the same light, the author does not shy away from presenting research that goes against current public sentiment.

The lessons of the tipping point are many. Epidemics and pandemics are tipped by a few elements, but the tipping happens because there is present, in many, a belief in change that is possible. Again, like other non-Christian authors who seek reality in an honest and sincere way, Gladwell stumbles onto some Christian truth. For instance, Gladwell writes that "people can radically transform their behavior or beliefs in the face of the right kind of impetus." He states the if you look at the world, "it may seem like an immovable, implacable place. It is not. With the slightest push - in just the right place - it can be tipped." Does this sound familiar?

This is a well written book. I do not ascribe to all the premises put forth in these pages, but the book will force you to look at life in a different light. And, that is something we all need in our lives. Blessings!

Another Great Quote!

Here is another great quote; this one is from Coach Lou Holtz.

“The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.”

Here is one from my memory.

"I told my team they were the best team in the country... I just didn't tell them which country."

Enjoy!

Times gone by...

Christmas is a time when we slow down and think of times gone by... and, for many Americans, it is reflection on another time and another place. In my case, I grew up in a small town nestled in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. It was a great place to grow up as we were one small intimate community. The above image is of my house in that small town. As you spend Christmas with family, I pray that your holidays are full of

Merry Christmas

Last year I posted a Christmas poem in celebration of Christmas. Tonight, I continue that tradition. Enjoy!

A Christmas Carol
by Christina Rossetti


In The bleak mid-winter
Frosty winds made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.

A Tree of Inspiration

I love trees! They are always beautiful to me, and it never matters if they are full of leaves or void of leaves. A good tree inspires me. We just had to remove some trees from of our back yard, and for me, it was a sad day.

This tree inspired me to think about inspiration. I have sensed, for a while, that this concept of inspiration has been damaged by today's world. Why?

Reading the book, John Adams, provided me some insight into this puzzle, at least enough for me to formulate an opinion. Opinions are great because they are opinions, regardless of being right or wrong. I do not know if this one is right or wrong, but I do know it is my opinion, and that is about all I know, right now.

The question today is this: why are we not inspired much, these days, by our public leaders?

When we are inspired, it is usually only temporary and short lived. Why is this, or am I the only one who feels this way? To examine this, we must begin with the semantics of inspiration.

Inspiration is the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions of someone else. It is also the act of influencing or suggesting opinions. Inspiration is dependent, according to these two definitions, on actions, and not just any actions, but actions that are selfless, servant-oriented and honorable. To inspire action on the part of others will always take words back by actions. In today's world, what we usually get... is just words.

Words alone, again my opinion, will never inspire people to act in a way that will change culture or the world. Actions, followed by words, that support those actions will inspire change only if those actions, first, validate the words as true and accurate. Second, the actions, themselves, are selfless, honorable and moral. Third, the words are meaningful, easily understood and clearly communicated. And, finally, the words lead the listeners back to the speaker's actions, which consistently and clearly provide multiple examples of those words.

Let us take John Adams as our example. Everyone did not always agree with him, but when he spoke most people listened, even if it was to voice opposition or criticism. His words were given weight because of his actions. I can not remember one instance, in my reading of his words, where he wrote for the expressed purpose of deceit or to cast a lie. He inspired many because the words he wrote were backed by the actions of a life that lived according to the words spoken. John Adams was a consistent man who lived and spoke from a heart-felt belief that ruled who he was. And, to make a better point, his morality, his belief in Christ the Lord, ruled his life.

We are in desperate need of inspiration from our public leaders that lasts longer than a speech. It will always take more than words to inspire people. And, that is why I believe a Christian education that provides a Christian worldview is so very important. A Christian worldview is a worldview that can be lived out in a clear and consistent way through words and actions. I have yet to see any other worldview that can do the same. This Christmas, may your gift be the Savior of the world and the consistent Christian worldview. Blessings!

Parents, Under Attack Again...

I am reading Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point. It is a very interesting book, not Christian in any way, but still interesting just the same. Gladwell's premise is that little things are the tipping points to wide scale epidemics and pandemics.


In one section, Gladwell talks about the teen smoking epidemic, and the very real and sad fact that more teens than ever before are smoking. He goes on to offer two possible strategies for stopping the spread of smoking: the first is to prevent the influential teens from smoking so others will not follow this pattern. The other strategy is to convince teens to emulate adults and not their peers on issues like these. Now, here comes the interesting tidbit; Gladwell goes on to say that this is more difficult because parents "simply do not wield that kind of influence over children."


Now, that is a loaded statement! Gladwell goes on to quote from the Judith Harris book, The Nurture Assumption, that "the evidence for this belief is sorely lacking." Yet, the evidence to support this claim provided by Gladwell was also, sorely lacking.


The major study, referenced by Gladwell, is the Colorado Adoption Project. The study measured two groups of children, the first group was composed of children given up for adoption at birth and placed in homes immediately, and the other group was composed of children born and raised by their parents. The results were predictable: the biological children were similar to their parents in intellectual ability and personality, but the adopted children were not. Gladwell goes on to write that the adopted children "are no more similar in personality or intellectual skill to the people who raised them , fed them, clothed them, read to them, taught them and loved them for sixteen years than they are to any two adults taken at random off the street." Gladwell continues to write about these results as "extraordinary" but are they, really?


Let's look at the information provided by Gladwell. We do not know the actual results of the tests; all we know is that, according to his information, the results were not similar. What does that mean? Were the student abilities lower or were they higher than their adopted parents? Gladwell goes on to say that "if nurture matters so much, then why did the adopted kids not resemble their adopted parents at all?" And, the italics are his, for added effect.


The term "similar" can mean many things. It is defined as having characteristics in common, strictly comparable, and alike in substance or essentials. How does this transfer to this study? Were the parents doctors and the kids drop outs? How many kids in their teen years have similar intellectual abilities or personalities to their parents, who are adults? I am the son of a mother and a father who only attended high school, yet I have several college degrees; does this mean that I am not similar in intellectual ability and personality to my parents according to this study? There are so many questions here that must be answered before one jumps to the very serious conclusion that parents "simply do not wield that kind of influence over children."


The study size for this particular test project was 254 for each study group, hardly an adequate size to broadcast any results to the general population. The term "similar" is a weighty term used in a very serious way, yet it is never defined and explained. As a Christian, we must stand and demand intellectual honesty in areas like these, especially when parents and the influence they have on their own children are under attack. The argument Gladwell is making and Harris and others are supporting is this: peers have more influence than parents.


I will agree that when students enter middle school peers do wield great power over other peers, but only if parents are disengaged and allow peer influence to supersede theirs. Gladwell writes later in the section that "our environment plays - as big if not bigger - a role as heredity in shaping personality and intelligence." But, again, there is a slight of hand at work here. At the end of this section on the epidemic of teen smoking, Galdwell writes this: "The children of smokers are more than twice as likely to smoke as children of nonsmokers." What?


As we read books, articles and studies, we must read with the Christian worldview as our foundation and use scripture as our filter. The Tipping Point is a well written book that is very interesting. Malcolm Gladwell is a talented author who looks at the world in a very different way. In some instances in this book, I truly was inspired by the way he looked at the world, and by the way he was able to identify trends and use them to explain more of the world. Is that not what each and everyone of us should be doing? But, as we explain the world, we should be open to questions about our explanations. When we are open to this we will continue to draw closer to the truth; when we are closed... the truth becomes even more distant. Blessings!

What Do We Believe?

What do you believe? There is a great article on what Americans now believe. You might be surprised by the results of this Harris Poll. For example:



"The numbers clearly favor the proverbial Big Man Upstairs: 80 percent say they believe in God; among those who attend church weekly, the number is 98 percent. Three-quarters believe in miracles, 73 percent believe in heaven, 71 percent say Jesus is the Son of God and 71 percent believe in angels, the survey found. Seven out of 10 say Jesus Christ rose from the dead and that the Bible is, all or in part, the "Word of God."



Surprised? I was, and there is more...



"More than two-thirds - 68 percent - believe in the "survival of the soul after death" and would describe themselves as religious. About 62 percent think that hell exists, 61 percent believe in the Virgin Birth and 59 percent say the devil exists. "



There is still more...



"In contrast, fewer than half - 47 percent - said they believe in Darwin's theory of evolution; a third said they did not believe in it while 22 percent were not sure what they thought. A full 40 percent said they believe in creationism, though the question did not elaborate on exactly what that term meant. "



The whole article is worth reading and is a little good news for the season. There are issues with the poll, but in light of all the negativity, I will take it, for now. Blessings to all!

The Great Quotes Collection

Here is another great quote! Enjoy!

Liberty for wolves is death to the lambs.

Isaiah Berlin

A Great Book!

John Adams, by David McCullough is truly a beautiful book. McCullough painstakingly traces the entire life of Adams, from his early years through his death.

One of the more enjoyable elements of this book is the words of John Adams. McCullough uses them brilliantly in providing needed evidence anytime he is positing a relatively new view on Adams. The more I read the more I got the impression that many times McCullough simply chose to let Adams speak in his own terms, as he deemed them still best for even these moments.

As I was drawn deeper into the book, I was particularly moved by Adams' faith and his view of the world, fellow men and himself. If only we, today, would walk as humbly and think as deeply about things. The way men, of his stature, conducted themselves was, in my opinion, one of the reasons for their brilliance. They wrote letters, read continuously and were always interested in learning anything new. Particularly moving was the way friendships could be maintained through correspondence for multiple years without one personal visit.

McCullough captures the tone of life like none I have ever read. If you read this book be prepared, it is long, but it is so very important that you not miss one word of it. Every word must be digested in order to capture the brilliance of the book. To skip or skim over any word or sentence would be to pour out the last sip of a great old rare wine; it would be wasteful.

In closing I have not read a finer book in quite a long time. McCullough is rare indeed, he blends historical accuracy with the finest elements of grammar and produces well written and historically accurate novels that are a pure joy to read.

If you want to read a great book this holiday season... John Adams is worth the time!

An Example of Process and Product

Last night our basketball teams travelled to Lexington High School to play an away basketball contest. I was not able to make the game, due to a prior commitment, but, as is my routine, in the morning, I retrieve the paper from my lawn and settle at my kitchen table to read it with my morning cup of coffee. I begin with the sports section, always looking for our scores first. I read that we lost by one and thought, at that moment, that we must have put up a good fight in that away area game. I, then, went to check my email and was delighted to find an email from Coach Ratliff of Lexington High thanking our coaches, players and fans for their behavior at the game last night.

Please read his thank you below and be encouraged. We have said from the beginning that we play to win, but how we play is as important to us as what happens at the end of our play. Last night we did not win either varsity contest, but we made a statement about who we are...we are Westminster CHRISTian Academy. We represent our Savior and our school before ourselves. I am very proud of our coaches, our players and our parents and fans. This...is what we are all about at Westminster Christian Academy. Well done good and faithful servants!

We wish to congratulate Lexington High School, as well, on their behaviors toward us. They were gracious hosts and treated us very well. We thank Coach Ratliff for taking the time to send us an email of encouragement.


Just a quick word. I've coached for 22 years at various schools and I just wanted you to know how fortunate you are. Your kids, parents, and coaching staff were certainly an enjoyment. They represent your school and athletic programs well. I almost had a heart attack when one of your JV basketball players thanked me for sweeping the floor before the game. WOW! That may not seem like much but it meant a lot to me. I coach the JV team and assist on the varsity and both teams acting great. Even though the varsity game ended on a questionably call they responded as mature team and coaching staff. I also clean the gym after the games and was shocked...you guys picked up your side! That has never happened. Lastly, my wife worked the concession stand during the varsity girls game and told me this morning how impressed she was with you people. All coming from so far away and could have stopped and eaten somewhere but it seemed they all bought something from the concession. Many asked where the money was going and when she told them the booster club they said keep the change. We have some good kids and parents here are Lexington too, But sure was refreshing to see it Friday night. Please tell Coach Stearns good luck keep it up.

Professionally,

Randy Ratlifff
Assistant Basketball Coach
Lexington HS

The Great Quotes Collection

I am reading a great book, John Adams by David McCullough. In it are some great quotes by President Adams. He was truly a great man who thought in the highest of categories. Enjoy some of his thoughts.

"Government is nothing more than the combined force of society, or the united power of the multitude, for the peace, order safety, good and happiness of the people."

"The preservation of liberty depends upon the intellectual and moral character of the people."

"Ambition is one of the more ungovernable passions of the human heart."

"Modesty is a virtue that can never thrive in public."

"Great necessities call out great virtues."

"When a mind is raised and animated by senses that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman."

We need more leaders who think in these categories?

More Lying, Cheating and Stealing…Surprised?

A recent study revealed that today's students lie, cheat and steal at alarming rates. According to the study:

"The attitudes and conduct of some 29,760 high school students across the United States "doesn't bode well for the future when these youngsters become the next generation's politicians and parents, cops and corporate executives, and journalists and generals," the non-profit Josephson Institute said."

The study goes on to state:

"In its 2008 Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth, the Los Angeles-based organization said the teenagers' responses to questions about lying, stealing and cheating "reveals entrenched habits of dishonesty for the workforce of the future. Boys were found to lie and steal more than girls. Overall, 30 percent of students admitted to stealing from a store within the past year, a two percent rise from 2006. More than one third of boys (35 percent) said they had stolen goods, compared to 26 percent of girls. An overwhelming majority, 83 percent, of public school and private religious school students admitted to lying to their parents about something significant, compared to 78 percent for those attending independent non-religious schools."

And, is anyone surprised? Students are still children and reflections of the major authoritative influences around them. When morality is removed from an institution that molds and shapes students from the age of six until the age of 18, there should be no great surprise in these findings.

The study goes on to state that "cheating in school continues to be rampant and it's getting worse," the study found. Amongst those surveyed, 64 percent said they had cheated on a test, compared to 60 percent in 2006. And 38 percent said they had done so two or more times."

The study also states:

"Despite no significant gender differences on exam cheating, students from non-religious independent schools had the lowest cheating rate, 47 percent, compared to 63 percent of students attending religious schools. "

There are many factors at play here. These "religious schools"are not Christian schools by any means, but any faith-based school that meets the criteria required to be part of the sample set. Size and enrollment are two of the elements that need to be large in any sample set in order to validate it and, then, take that information and make a statement about the general population; the chances of the average "Christian school" making a dent in the findings are low due to the fact that most "Christian schools" are small in size and in enrollment in comparison to the needed size requirements of a normal sample set.

The study does show all of us a few things. First, it shows us the power of education. Over the last 30 years, an attack on morality began in our schools. Slowly, battle after battle was fought and won, and the value system so prevalent in these United States began to erode away. Now, we awaken to find that the values we now currently hold are no longer in our young people. They no longer care about truth, morality or the greater good; they only care about themselves.

Second, because we know that well over 93% of our youth, and this figure is accurate for Christian families as well, currently attend public schools, something must now change in our public schools, in our private independent schools and even in our Christian schools. We can no longer worry only about curriculum and pedagogy!

And my last point is this: education is culture. The culture we see, currently, was shaped and molded by our schools and our educational philosophy of the past. To change and move forward, it will take all of us.

This is why we do what we do at Westminster Christian Academy. We understand the urgency and the importance of educating children in the Truth and the love of Christ. I love our students because they care deeply about their Savior and each other, but they are children and, at times act like children. It is during those times that we often find some of the greatest opportunities for education and discipleship.

If you come and visit our campus you will find great kids and a school that seeks to employ faculty and staff that are excellent in what they do and possess a great desire to disciple students and lead them to the truth of the Savior. This is Westminster Christian Academy!