Special Ed Math

Today I am substituting for Mrs. McGee. She teaches six periods of Special Education Math. I am a History, Language Arts kind of guy by nature, so this is something of a challenge for me. Though as you can probably guess, I do not have a great deal of teaching responsibility or I would not be writing this post while my three students are working on their project.

Mrs. McGee left all of these classes the same project to complete. They have $500 to spend on Christmas items. They must buy 5 items. They are not required to spend all the $500. They must determine the amount of tax on their subtotal. It their total is more than the $500 they must replace the items with those of a lower price so that the total will not exceed $500. When they find the total they are required to write a check for the amount. Some in these classes have spent every penny of the $500. While others have only spent part of the $500.

Is there a life lesson to be found in this somewhere? What an interesting idea, not spending more money than you have. What do you think of this idea?

And now a few additional thoughts.

Have any of you ever read the writings of Frederick Buchner? He is an award winning author turned preacher. He is truly a wordsmith. If you have not read his writings, let me recommend him to you. So just for some things to think about, here are a few quotes from Frederick Buchner.

"It is as impossible for men to demonstrate the existence of God as it would be for even Sherlock Holmes to demonstrate the existence of Arthur Conan Doyle."

"Pay mind to your own life, your own health, and wholeness. A bleeding heart is of no help to anyone if it bleeds to death."

"Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too."

Just some things to think about along the way.

Bob

Kingdom Kids

Some creative and wonderful ladies in our Children's Ministry came up with this name for the upper Elementary Bible class. I am honored to be teaching this group of young people this quarter. They are a blessing to me. They are a tribute to the godliness of their parents. They are unique as well as important members of our church family. They are bright and insightful with a strong spiritual focus. I love this class. For an old man who has spent most of his adult life teaching Adults they are a challenge and high point of my week. Thank you for the opportunity to be a small part of your lives, "Kingdom Kids."

Alec Watson
Annie Chadwick
Jared Cook
Jaxon Williams
Shelby Smith
Silas Williams

I am doubly blessed this quarter because I co-teaching with my 26 year old son Jamin. As a father I have invested time, teaching and true love into the lives of my children. As parents we teach, instruct, discipline and pray that they will learn the lessons we share from our own mistakes and failures. I simply do not have the words to tell you the joy and pride I feel as I listen to my son teach others people's sons and daughters. I hope in the near future to also teach with my daughter Jana (age 24), who also teaches in our Children's Ministry. These are two of my own "Kingdom Kids," the third (Jordan age 21) is still in college.

I have, for most of my life, wondered if my wife Nelma and I have been successful as parents. It is a question that I am still asking even after my children are grown. Have we made a difference not in the world but in the life of one child? As we work and teach with our children we can make a difference in the lives of these "Kingdom Kids?" Stephen Covey says we should, "begin with the end in mind." This close to the end of my life, I ask my self if I have made a difference in the lives of others? Have I helped some tired and troubled soul along the road of life? I long for my heavenly home. Yet, I wonder do i have more race left to run? When I am gone will I leave anything to help someone else run their course?

I look at my "Kingdom Kids" and pray that I can help them on life's journey to avoid many of the pitfalls and mistakes I have made. God help me, I pray each and every day, that I may teach, relect the image of Jesus and not cause even one these "Kingdom Kids" to stumble.

Just some things to think about along the way.

Bob