This is just a shock to me. I can’t believe that they didn’t let him live out his contract. I think this was a mistake. Everyone wants the flavor of the month, Urban Meyer, but I think this is just another chapter in the history of how a fantastic football school has turned into just another legend. Notre Dame looks like Michael Jordan in a Wizards uniform.

This year I am trying to have a series of fun events on the calendar for the holiday season. In our community, not a lot of people travel for Christmas even though there are lots of people off of work. The idea is that if we have several small events, that we will be able to give students something fun to look forward to.

Here are some of the things we have scheduled:

1. Curling at Detroit Curling Club (Dec 17 or 18)
2. Skating at Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit (Dec 21)
3. Feather bowling at Bath City Bistro (TBD)
4. Bocce at Palazzo di Bocce (TBD)
5. Floor hockey at Joe Dumars Fieldhouse (TBD)
6. Movies and video games at the church (12/30)

That’s only 6 you say! Exactly. I’m still working on the last 2. But it’ll probably be bowling and a movie night. We need to try to contain the costs!

No, I am not complaining about something at the church. But I will complain about this pounding headache. Ouch.

It’s been hard to get anything done today or to think clearly at all. The good news is that I have a light work day and it probably isn’t a big deal to be late on ym paper for school.

I fear I may be getting sick. Yuck. Everyone else in the house has had a cold and I really don’t want one. More on this later.

I just got done watching Super Size Me. Kristen checked it out from the library tonight. I’ve wanted to see it since I first heard about it, but we just got around to it.

Kristen fell asleep about 10 minutes into it. She hates documentaries thoroughly. Not that she is a prude or anything, but if it isn’t a home re-design show or a makeover show… She’s not watching it.

I was disgusted by what I saw. But I’m not 100% the facts all pan out on that one either. It’s kind of got that Michael Moore feel to it where everything is believable when you are watching it, but when you apply your mind to it some of the logic just falls apart. The reality is that the filmmaker could have eater tofu for 30 days and had similar results. When you don’t have a balanced diet and exercise you gain weight and feel like crap. That’s a surprise?

On the other hand, I thought McDonald’s was gross before I watched the movie and was just further disgusted by them after the movie. I think taking apart any major corporations marketing strategies will always lead you you wicked consumerism.

In the same regard, I am officially leary of Wal*Mart after watching “Is Wal*Mat Good for America?” on Frontline a few weeks back.

I don’t know whether to stop shopping at these two places, or readjust my portfolio since they are both so profitable?

There has been a lot said and written about protecting yourself from allegations and improprieties lately. Especially with the sex scandal of the Catholic church looming large in the minds of Americans. This is further developed in the media who rarely portrays pastors as normal people. They are often portrayed as sex craving hypocrites. The movie “Saved” pretty much nails the stereotype.

What this means to a pastor like me is that I have to constantly be overly careful. Even a few years ago this merely meant that I shouldn’t do anything alone with a female student. But this is now being extended to mean that I shouldn’t ever do anything alone with anyone. Should I feel guilty about being alone with my wife? Afterall, she is a volunteer staff person. Oh my goodness, Pastor Adam has sex with a volunteer! News at 11.

This is manifesting itself as we prepare for the Northern Ireland mission trip. As part of the trip, I have always wanted to have both a male and female leader go with our students. In this particular trip, the adult leaders role is very minimal since we are turning over the reigns of leadership to YFC from the onset. Yet I have always felt it was a good idea to take along a female leader just to be there for our girls. The rub with this is that some “old hens” have decided it doesn’t “look good” for a pastor to travel with a group of students and a single woman.

On the one hand, it’s my fault since I took what I had heard as a rumbling and took it to the deacons to think about before it manifested itself as a problem. To me, the whole thing would go away with a little education about this particular trip. It didn’t.

Now it is clear that the deacons want 2 females to go on the trip to watch over everything like nuns. [OK, that’s an exaggeration!] Actually, there first preference is that Kristen go. This can’t happen. The second preference is that I take two unmarried females with me. As if it there were strength against sin in numbers? The 3rd preference is that I go alone with the students. This flies in the face of both the churches policy as well as the parents “safety button.” The last preference is that the students go alone. But who wants that?

There must a line. There has to be a point where we are exercising caution but not being legalistic. We should be safe, but still leave room for God to act and speak. We should attempt to be above reproach while acknowledging that we are always sinners and always capable to sin.

I suppose this is an entry of frustration. I don’t see why this is an issue. I understand the issue, yet I don’t like to see ministry inhibited by the sinful thoughts of others. At the same time, if we don’t respond to the issues then they think we are being shaddy and not “above reproach.”

Praise God for responsive and action oriented leadership. This is one of those cases where I know I could fight for and win my point of view… But it isn’t worth fighting over. I could win this battle yet cost myself too much collateral damage along the way.

See, I do learn.

Starting today, there are two new features of the site. Actually, they are links from the site which will give greater access into the author and his work.

Both are located on the right side links bar. Both are hosted by webshots.com.

1. McLane family photo page. This is our families way of sharing pictures with family, ministry partners, and other friends.
2. Light Force photo page. This is all the great pictures of our students and the things that we do with them.

I hope that avid readers enjoy these links and check them often.

Since I had asked to no hijack the homeschooling thread, I received and e-mail from a non-fan of my homeliskooling ideas. Here is what I revieved as well as my reply.

I really don’t want to have a year long back and forth conversation about this but do feel the need to express to you why your post offended me. I am not asking you to change your mind…just that you consider that the satan comment might have been inappropriate and just plain wrong.

My point was that you are really reaching to equate those of us who have chosen this manner of educating our children and other ways to be involved in the public square with having been deceived by satan.Wow…that is a truly extreme approach. Has someone else accused you of the same because your children are in public school? I would never make that leap.I’m not going to start another thread. You don’t have any desire to see both sides. You have decided that homeschooling is “wrong” rather than an option.I do see both sides and have had my kids in public school and may do so again when circumstances are different. We have children in our congregation from every possible educational setting…we do not push for any one option, we encourage the parents to do what is best for their family and to be actively involved in their kids lives. We also lift up and encourage our public school teachers some of whom think what we are doing is great and others who have bought into the whole set of NEA philosophies. By the same token we have both Democrats and Republicans and everything else represented and we make an effort to find unity in Christ and to allow each other differences in other areas.

I hope that at some point in the future you will be able to consider the possibility that those choosing this means of educating their children are not functioning as tools of satan. That is might be possible that many of us are making this choice as led by the Holy Spirit just as I’m sure you see your choice to support public education.

The satan comment troubles me the most. Have your opinions but that was just too much.

Here is my replay to the e-mail:

Again, sorry if my comments upset or offended you. These are myopinions and diversity of thought is quite valuable in the body ofChrist. But I do feel that removing children from the public schoolsto separate them from the world is a victory for Satan. We are nevercommanded to withdraw from society, but to change it. The same God whotoppled Rome with his church can easily topple the influences that arebeing poured out onto our children.

Those parents who have withdrawn their children for other reasons… Ihave no problem with at all. Let’s be clear about that. Students whoare disabled and the schools aren’t capable of properly teaching, etc.

You can also take the example of Satan winning by dramaticallyunder-educating Christian children. Homeschooling is a system thatlacks accountability, structures are developing… but until then Icannot support it. In states with accountability (such as CA) there islittle follow-up when students fail and rarely punishment for theparent as there should be. Likewise, the homeschool books I have seenare inadequately teaching advanced subjects. It seems that thehomeschooling movement is aiming to prepare students for service inthe small world of the church instead of preparing the next generationto conquer the world in the name of Christ academically and asleaders! This too plays into the hand of Satan who will bewell-pleased to see a naive generation of believers.

I do firmly believe that Satan is well pleased that he has convincedmasses of Christians to remove themselves, the minority, from theeducational process of the non-believing masses. Without thisGod-ordained influence on school boards, PTAs, and volunteering in theschools, Satan is allowed to have his way with well meaning educatorsand administrators… will humanism cease naturally? Removal ofChristians from the public school arena is leading to further decaywith no checks and balances. This is giving up the war for a battle.

What about the utter arrogance of it all? I have yet to meet a singlehomeschooling parent who felt their public school system did anadequate job of education. Universally they think they are superiorand the homeschooling literature just feeds this thought. At a formerchurch, even the principal of the school we ran homeschooled hischildren. It is arrogant to think that one persons children are morevaluable than the others. It is sad that many think that THEIR kidsare too good for the public schools and that PARENTS think they arebetter teachers than trained and credentialed professionals who areheld to accepted standards.

You’ve also read more into my words than were there. I said I felt itwas wrong for secondary education (7-12) but an OK alternative forprimary. (k-6) My argument there has to do with training children todeal with the world. People are correct when they refer to “the waythings were historically” that children were taught at home… howeverin an agrarian society a secondary education was not needed and theywere often sent away to secondary schooling and apprenticeship. Assecondary students, if they are withdrawn… and there is no equalsubstitute by means of a homeschooling club, club sports programs,etc… when is the entry point “to the world?” As a graduate of abible school who deal with these homeschoolers, college is too late.For the most part they were 4-5 years behind developmentally fromtheir Christian school and public school peers. Their well-meaningparents had dealt them a serious blow. I have a dear friend who didnot know what her genitals were for until she was in a childdevelopment class in college. How is this good for a young lady? Isthis preparing her for the world? I think not.

Again, I am sorry if you are offended. I will clearly say it again. If anyone chooses to educated their children in the primary ages… more power to them. I support it. Have fun. If nothing else it will give them an appreciation for the hard work of teachers. But I firmlybelieve that once a child reaches adolescence they are best served ina school setting away from mom and dad. Private school, Christian school, public school, boarding school.. whatever. It is invaluablethat they be prepared for post-secondary education by trainedprofessionals AND that they experience the hardships of adolescentindividuation under the care and supervision of their parents.

For your information, I’ve had this same discussion with many, manyhomeschooling parents. Even in my church. I do not mean to tear theirdecision down. It is between them and the Lord. But I feel it is myresponsibility to educate the parents of the ramifications of theirdecision. I don’t get paid to make everyone happy, there are timeswhen a shepherd is really building up the flock by lovingly correcting.

We had a student watch the kids last night so that Kristen and I could go out for dinner and a movie. It’s been a while since we’ve had the chance to go out, so it was nice.

We had dinner over at the Office Pub and made our way over to the Romeo Theater. I have wanted to see Christmas With the Kranks since last winter when they began promoting it. I read the book last Christmas as I was dealing with my hatred of the holiday rush!

The theater was packed at the theater as both movies were starting at the same time. I don’t know why they do this, but it does manage to make things a little hectic. Long story short we managed to find two seats and got our popcorn in plenty of time for the movie to begin.

Since both of us had read the book, we knew the plot pretty well. While we thought the movie was cute and fun, like the book it dragged a bit during the middle. I felt like some things were well represented while others were done poorly. There was a Santa Claus character inserted in that was just silly. I was also lost in the silliness of Santa Claus (Tim Allen) playing a regular guy in a Christmas movie. I just thought he was the wrong actor in the movie for the part. I would never believe he was an accountant. Jamie Lee Curtis was incredible as usual. Kristen and I agree that the scene with her in a bikini was worth the entire movie.

Overall, it was a nice night to get out and enjoy spending time with Kristen. Sometimes we forget to do that and it is too sad. We could have gone and watched infomercials and I would have been happy just to be alone with my “baby’s momma.”

Well, I opened my big mouth and got into another debate with homeschool freaks. (Not to be offensive… but these people are so sold out to homeschooling that they can’t even be reasoned with!)

Here is what was said to me.



Drew, if you have personally had negative experiences with families who homeschool, may I suggest you do some research beyond your own experience to see what a family who does this well would look like! I also take offense at these statements:



QUOTE FROM ME

I guess I am just frustrated that Satan is winning the hearts and minds of many parents I know who have turned to homeschooling. (Please don’t see that as inclusive to you, I don’t know you.) He has convinced some parents that things won’t change and they only ever get worse. He’s convinced some parents that their children are somehow more valuable than children from non-believing families. He’s convinced some Christians that “being seperate from the world” is pleasing to God. He’s convinced them that they can’t make a difference and that the no of a school board is no to the gospel.

What in the world does all of that mean? I must tell you that Satan has not won our hearts and minds and that we are not convinced that things will never get better (we just can’t justify using our children to fix this). We most certainly DO NOT consider our children more valuable than those of non-believing families [many homeschoolers do so for purely educational reasons…many homeschoolers are not Christians!] We are actively engaged in our world…just not in public school right now. We know we can make a difference and we are making a difference.

My response:

My statement is what it is, I am not going to back-peddle. I’ve done research and I’ve even seen a few decent examples of homeschooling. You say I should research outside my point of view, you should do the same.

If you were to look at the big picture instead of the small picture you could see that you could make a difference. It’s not about your children, it’s about taking you, a trained professional willing to invest time and money into education and a believer, out of the system.I don’t hide my view, I believe it is wrong for anyone untrained to do secondary homeschool education. (6-12 grades) [I also don’t oppose primary homeschool educating even though I chose to not do it, I can respect it as an OK choice]

I feel that parents have a responsibility to know the long-term effects of removing themselves from the public schools. To give up the war [public schools] for the battle [some individual chidlren] is, I think, giving the victory to Satan. That’s my point of view. It’s really not short-sided. I’ve lived in 4 states now and seen it at each place. It is the same all over. You have people who think homeschooling is great and you have people that think it is bad. I know it is a huge industry that makes millions and it has it’s converts who are sold out to it. I’ve read some curriculum and I’ve met plenty of students, my opinion is that it is not as well-rounded of an education compared to the total package of public school.

QUOTE FROM HER

I am also not anti-public school and every year we re-evaluate this choice. I also am not willing to sacrifice my kids to an incredibly flawed system. The majority of the teenagers (smart teenagers) in my youth group cannot read aloud without stumbling. They cannot do simple math (accurately adding money up after collecting it for a youth event for example). That is not acceptable!

I don’t think this is representative of the system in general. Likewise, I’ve had homeschoolers in my groups that were 2-3 years behind because their “well-meaning” parents were bad teachers.Look, I am not trying to hijack this thread. It’s about resources. My opinion to the original post was the best resource they could get was to put their children in the public school.

QUOTE FROM HER

I also take offense at these statements:



If you are offended by others perspectives, I am sorry. You do not hold the keys to these grey area choices any more than I do. Perhaps this is why you have chosen to homeschool? I believe a diversity of opinions is a strength and not a weakness. I welcome your thoughts and reactions. But can I ask that if you chose to continue that you please start another thread?

You can read the thread at Homeliskooling thread at YS forums If this is anything like last time, I am certain to get nailed by some guy like Scott from last time.



To all visitors made at me for speaking out against the cult of homelischooling… WELCOME! Please leave your comments below. Just remember that we still live in the U.S. Members of Landover Baptist Church please leave your comments in the original hillbilly.

As usual, everyone ate too much. As usual we all got on each others nerves. As usual I left with a headache.

I don’t know what the solution is, but there are too many people at the in-laws house to pull this off any more. For some reason it’s our kids who always get pushed around and rough housed and not Gwen and Eric’s. I’m just a little sick of that and if I were to vote right now I would say that I have plans for next Thanksgiving to just stay home with our family.

This is a great excuse for Kristen and I to re-open our dreams of home ownership. I doubt that we will be able to buy anything in the next year… But it would be incredible. It is a missing ingredient for our family.