Are Schools Talking With Or Digitally Talking At Parents?

Photo by Nguyen Nguyen from Pexels

It's amazing how much things have changed since I was in school. Back then we brought home test papers for our parents to sign. That was a lot of fun when I got an "A", not so much when I got an "F". Now everything is electronic, with an email at the end of the week telling me what my child may or may not want me to know. To be honest I'd rather schools go back to having me sign tests. At least then I might actually know what’s going on.

Yes, I understand that we live in the information age but there is a point where information becomes useless. At least when kids bring papers home I can see what they are having trouble with. An email with a grade tells me little to nothing. I've even had times when the weekly email gave the wrong impression, like when one of my sons seemingly failed a test in a class where he would normally get straight A's. Turns out he missed one question in one section on the test. Because the section only had two questions, missing one meant getting an "F" on that section. I was left scratching my head until I learned he had gotten an "A" overall on the test.

In this digital age I see grades without context. I can't tell if my sons are struggling because they don't understand one topic or if something else is going on. In effect the schools send me more information while managing to leave me out of the loop. This leaves me learning a new way to read, one that allows for understanding the new tech school information system. Ultimately though, I have found an old tech solution to the problem. Each day after work and school we having a “debriefing session” where we talk about each class. With all of the avenues for getting real time information, the best answer is still an old fashioned conversation.

As a parent, do you like the new tech ways used by schools to send information? Do you feel like you are part of a conversation with your school or do you feel like they are electronically talking at you?

Could You Forgive Officer Guyger?

Would you be able to hug the person who was convicted of murdering your brother? On October 2nd Brandt Jean hugged Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Brandt's brother Botham. News reports say that even the judge, who later gave Guyger a Bible, was brought to tears. There is a lot to unpack from this dramatic moment in a Dallas court. For those who do not understand, let's take a moment to discuss what happened.

Jesus calls His followers to forgive those who do wrong as often as they wrong us up to seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). This is at times one of the most difficult parts of the Christian calling. It does not matter the size of the wrong or how much it hurts, believers are tasked with forgiving because God has forgiven us. That does not make it easy to forgive but it does give us an example of how we should respond. Now I don't know Brandt Botham but it appears he has taken that example to heart.

In looking at this example we must understand that forgiveness does not necessarily mean that we forget what was done nor does it mean we downplay the significance. God is described as being just and justice must be served. Even with the free gift of salvation promised under the New Covenant there is an expectation of justice. As a result the penalty for our sins had to be paid as required. Jesus gave His own life to pay our penalty. As a result the requirement for justice is satisfied and we are forgiven.

Botham Jean's family will likely never forget what happened. Hopefully they all, like Brandt Botham, can find it in themselves to forgive while never forgetting their loved one. This does not mean civic leaders should end their call for changes in how the system responds to people of different races. If something is wrong, it is still wrong even after we forgive. Whether or not justice was served in the courtroom is up for debate but one way or another justice will be served before God's throne. How that penalty is paid is up to Guyger.

Along with expressing his forgiveness, Brandt Botham expressed a desire for Amber Guyger to seek God's forgiveness. This also should be a natural response for all believers, as natural as forgiving others. We know that God demands justice. We also know the price of being found guilty before God, a price we should not want to see anyone pay. Because of our understanding of what happens and because of God's love in us, we should not want anyone to pay that price, no matter what they have done.

Don't get me wrong, I can think of a handful of historical figures for whom I'll shed no tears over their suffering as a result of their sins. But in general the Christian heart should long to see others receive Jesus, driven by love to share the Gospel of Christ. It's not up to us to decide who is redeemable and who is not. Instead we are compelled by love and by the Great Commision to make disciples for Christ, even if it means carrying the message to those whom we know are guilty.

How God Blessed Us in September 2019

Photo by C. Cagnin from Pexels

Financial Blessing During Unanticipated Event
She was one of my wife’s favorite aunts and it would have been difficult to tell my wife she couldn’t go to the funeral. Because of the location, going to the funeral involved booking airline tickets and hotel reservations. These meant spending a lot of money for something of great value to our family.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

What an awesome promise we are given in Philippians 4:19. The Bible tells us that God will provide according to His riches in glory, not according to our faith or our works or anything else about us. His provision is according to what He has and by extension by Who He is.

God kept this promise by providing cash for the plane tickets and for the hotel. It’s funny how we always have what we need, even when the unexpected happens. I thank God for His provision and His love.

The Blessing of Restoration
The trip was important to my wife but why was it important to God? It was important because the desire of my wife’s heart. It was also important because God was ready to do the work of restoration. Even while mourning the loss of a loved one, my wife and her cousins were able to re-establish bonds which had grown weak over the years. God restored family ties and we look forward to growth in this area of our lives. This is a great blessing on which we cannot estimate the value.

The Blessing of a New Chapter
A few years ago my wife left a job where the work environment had taken an uncomfortable turn. God opened a door back then to a better working situation but at lower pay. We had to make some changes, but God provided for us and moved my wife forward along a path He showed her one night during her quiet time. We learned last month that she will receive a promotion with a pay increase that puts her back to where she was on her old job. This is a blessing both financially for our family and career wise for my wife. I thank God for providing for us over the past few years and for His blessings as we move forward according to His will.

How has God been blessing you? Contact me on Twitter (@denniswcoleman) or via email (dcwriter1@hotmail.com) to share the work God is doing in your life.

I Love Old Books

I love old books. Yes, I do occasionally read e-books but there is nothing like the cover of a physical book nor the feel of turning the page. And I prefer an older page, one that has yellowed a little with the passage of time, over the feel of one hot off the presses. Oh, don't worry my fellow writers, when applicable I do buy new in order to support all of you who make a living with the printed word. But when I can, I buy old.

When I can, I also buy hardcover. There is some sort of tactile appreciation that comes with holding a hardcover book that I just can't get from an e-book or even a paperback. By the way, I hide the dust jacket until I finish reading. (Am I the only one who does that?) I prefer the look and feel of the actual cover. Dust jackets often slip and slide, rubbing on the cover and making the book uncomfortable to hold. Give me a hardcover and the older the copyright the better.

I only recently started collecting old books, spurred on by something I found while at work. While helping a retiring colleague clean out her office, I found an old Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary. The copyright is 1971 which I guess is not real old by book standards but considering this came out before my first year of elementary school it seems old to me.

This is a handsome book with its black cover simulating leather. One look and I knew I needed to take it home. Then I read its table of contents which listed a "Proof of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address." Finding this treasure made it a keeper in my...um...book. I doubt it is worth very much and likely never will be, but it will hold a prominent place in my library. That is, it will hold that place once I finish remodeling that room in my house.

I did have a shot at a book that one day might have been of some value. It was a rare version of a Sherlock Holmes book. This version had pictures in it from one of the movies. Online I found hints that it was worth more than the asking price at the vendor where I usually buy old books. I hesitated, thinking I was missing something and taking time to gather more information. I guess my loss is now someone else's gain. That's fine with me. I'm not in it for the money. I simply love old books.