Goal of Education…Christian, that is.

[B]ut the ultimate goal of Christian education is the making of full-fledged disciples of Christ, whose entire existence has been radically transformed into full conformity with the image of Christ.

Greg R. Allison, A Theology for Christian Education

Ahhhh…now we’re getting somewhere! Dissemination of knowledge does not, even further cannot, correct morals and values, much less make one a Christian. I am seeing more clearly the far reaching influence of Platonic thought that to know the good is to do the good. Knowledge is not the ultimate goal of education that is distinctly Christian. Oh no! We have a much more grandiose end!!

Recycleable!…with plastic??

Once or twice a year Office Depot comes out to our office and puts on a showcase of all of their new products…everything from pens to computer accessories to storage products. Of course, we get freebie samples It is interesting this year because the emphasis, the in-your-face-marvel-at-how-GREEN-we-are is RECYCLED MATERIAL and RECYCLABLE. Pens that are made from 70% recycled material, mailing labels that are made from 100% recycled material and are 100% recyclable! So let us give you a freebie to test how great these are: here is your individually packaged-in-plastic-sample pen in a plastic baggie, here is your packaged-in-plastic-sample highlighter in a plastic baggie, here is your packaged-in-plastic-sample labels in a plastic baggie. Put all these samples in a plastic Office Depot bag.

PLASTIC

PLASTIC

PLASTIC EVERYWHERE!!!

Trip Photos

Okay, I finally got some pictures online…then I’ve been messing with trying to embed a slideshow on the blog, but haven’t been able to get it to work. Determined, I figured my html skillz were shot…probably still are…but I checked the support pages to discover that wordpress doesn’t allow embedding flash…bummer!

Well, we took a “few” pics, so peruse at your leisure!  It was an awesome trip!!

Guatemala Trip (click here)

 

Christian ethics should be viewed from a positive perspective rather than from that of negativity. A corollary of this position is that the main thing in our Christian life is not that we have died to the old way of life, but that we have been born again for the new way of life. All too often Christians look at morality from the negative viewpoint. Christian growth does not come from what we don’t do. It is rather a product of what, in our daily lives, we actively do. The Christian ethic is a positive ethic, and the Christian life, as an expression of that ethic, is a positive, active existence.

– George R. Knight, Philosophy & Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective

Have you read a psalm lately??

I have been re-introduced to the Psalms lately. They are beautiful! They are SOUND in doctrine and RICH in emotional expression. They are songs and poems. They are man thinking and feeling before God. They are real humans with real problems being real before the Real God…sometimes in strained whispers, sometimes in angry shouts! They are inspired. There is no emotion unacceptable to God; yet the Psalms are instructive in thinking correctly while we feel. Take a moment to meditate on one…

Have you read a psalm lately?

How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.

It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Psalm 133

 

(Paul is not the only one to speak about unity!)

Back in HOT TX!!

We made it back to TX today. It is scorchin! We’ve definitely been spoiled by the beautiful weather in Guatemala Well, much to write about, funny stories to share, but now we are at home, hoping to take a nap! We started today at 3:30 and traveling can sure make you weary

Recess!!

Today we went to a small Christian primary school that was started by missionaries 6 years ago because there was no school in the area. Our “missionary guide” Kirk comes semi-regularly, so he is a celebrity with the kids:

Visiting school

They want “vueltas,” that is where you take them by the arms and swing them around, like this:

Vueltas

Luke visited the kindergarten class:

Luke visits kindergarten

Terminamos con una prueba!

Yesterday I finished teaching my class…with a pop quiz!! The students were a bit concerned, until I told them it was just for fun and the winning group got 2 big Hershey’s chocolate bars to share! It was neat because as soon as the quiz was over, the winning group, without even discussing it or anything, gave one chocolate bar to the other group.

Teaching

It has been a great experience to teach here. The students were very gracious and patient with me.  Here is a picture of the class. These are all first year students at the seminary, completing the 2nd of 3 trimesters.

My class

Passing Quickly

Our time here is going quickly. In the days to come I will write more about our experience,  but now is time to enjoy new friends, see various things, and spend time talking and learning. Yesterday we were invited to lunch, “real” Guatemalan food.

"Real" Guatemalan food

To Kneel or Sit, That is the Question

One week in and we have caught the cultural bug…that is the technical name for indeterminable stomach sickness Thus we have been faced with the question: to kneel or sit before the porcelain throne?? Thankfully it seems to be a one-day deal, and we are doing better today. Please pray that Luke does not get “it.”

In nicer news, Mere took Luke to Sunday school today.

Sunday School

Play time

Rain, rain, go away!

We had a fun trip to the old capital of Guatemala, although it rained the whole afternoon! But we scored in the craft market because one of our new friends who is a national was able to do the bartering for us, probably knocking half the price off for the gringos! It was good to spend some time with new friends!