What do I Know?

You can tell the couth of a person by what "facts" we share on social media.

Too often, we are emotional and in our attempt to hurt others, we throw everything we can against and wall and see what sticks.

It doesn't matter if all the details are true or not, it only matters that it makes it way into the public.

Those on defense, have two choices:

1. Defend themselves.

2. Don't defend themselves.

If you do the first one, you may feel better and get out details that are wrong or different that what is reported, but the attackers thrive off that. Because the more info you put out there, the more they have to attack.

If you do the second, it could die down quicker, but misinformation is all anyone gets, and anyone who is outside the loop will believe what they read without any investigation at all, we take it at face value as being true.

I can tell you, I have been angry at situations, but I have tried (tried) to abstain from directly posting, unless it's about someone I care about, then I kind of lose my mind.

But I like the passive-aggressive approach. Write a blog entry and if they see it or not, they have to assume it's about them.

It might be, it probably isn't.

But it saddens me, because there are legitimate issues to fight against, but how do we go about doing it?

The truth is often relative, and the outrage may be just because you're not the one making the decisions.

Fall Break in Uvalde

Recently, my wife and I drove down to Uvalde, TX to pay our respects, meet some new friends and help with basketball athletics class at Uvalde High School.

Uvalde is the site of one of the worst mass shootings in history. It is where 19 4th graders and 2 teachers were murdered and others were severely injured.

It was an unusual place to be.

It's been just 5 short months since this horrific thing occurred, but it has been on my mind since. It touched my heart in ways other shootings haven't. I don't know why, but it has.

It was unusual because of this bad thing happening, yet the cruel reality of life is that it goes on. There were people at restaurants, in the grocery store, laughing and going to school. It is a cruel reality, but it is also just reality. 

Now, for the families and friends and most everyone in the community, life goes on, but they have had their lives given new, alternative paths they didn't expect to have. Their anger and desire for something to be done can absolutely be understood.

It's a horrible situation.

You have victims that were mourned. 

You have angry, sad people involved who want to know how this could happen to their children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, brothers, and sisters.

You have law enforcement that is still there, but are taking huge criticisms, most of it warranted, and some of it makes them a sounding board. Many were following orders, I cannot see myself standing outside those rooms and not entering, but they were following orders. And I am sure many of them are not doing well mentally because of this and the criticism they are receiving.

You have school administration and who have had this "thing" thrust upon them. They didn't want this to happen and are having to deal with legalities of the situation that makes info coming out or firings move too slow for the people that are understandably angry.

And you have the shooter's family. 

Yes, they are victims too. Their relative was a sick, deranged individual who attacked his family and then did this heinous thing.

And they are still there, living in the community.

Some family members of the shooter, in shock I would guess, have made unusual statements to the media only pouring gasoline on a raging fire.

There has been protesting, verbal anger hurled at people who are trying to do their best, there has been firings and resignations, there has been so much hurt brought on by this...this evil that it hasn't stopped long after it happened in May, and I don't see it ending any time soon because of the nature of this evil.

And then there are those who are pushing along, doing the best they can in a horrible situation, trying to bring "normalcy" back to a place that will never be normal again.

Two of these people are the boys' basketball coach Ramon Burato and his wife Rosie. I helped Coach with basketball during the school day and my wife and I went out to eat one night with him and his wife.

What I found was two amazing people from Uvalde, who love people, and are the right people for the right time in this right place for them.

Coach does an amazing job in coaching his team. He loves his kids, he works hard and realizes that there is more to basketball than winning and losing and it couldn't be more true for him than ever before.

He is from and coaches at a town/school that has a high rate in many bad things in normal times and there are gangs in the community, so you know that element carries over into the school day and affects his players.

And he has players on his team who lost siblings on that day in May.

It's a community not unlike any around here in Southern Indiana, drug usage, drug dealing, overdose, gang activity, fights, suicide, and divorce. One that has had trauma, but now more piled on, a type that not many communities have had to deal with.

I feel for the families that lost children and loved ones that day, I am sick to my stomach and search for answers when I think about it.

But some may read this and wonder why I bring up caring about the law enforcement and the shooter's family. Because, they have been victimized in different ways, ways that will get very little empathy from the masses.

But I understand the anger, and I just try to put smiles on peoples faces when I am in those situations because it is messed up, really messed up right now. And we should love on people in need especially this drastic need. 

But, if something like this happened to my children, it would probably have to be someone else other than me to show sympathy for those that I would blame.

And that's why we need each other on this planet and in our communities, and I know it's a cliché, but we need Jesus.

Only then, will the pain be gone.

Until then, we must show Jesus life and love examples and help those who need it, to be convicted to reach out, and to put a hand on a shoulder, to listen, pick up a phone to call or text support.

Life is hard, I think too often we make it harder than we should, but if it is hard for you, it is hard for someone else and by reaching out and helping others, it is amazing what lessons and fulfillment you get for yourself. 

Truth Over Tribe

I am reading a new book called Truth over Tribe (Pledging allegiance to the lamb, not the donkey or the elephant), and it's a book I feel very much relatable to my life.

I am the liberal in conservative circles and the conservative in liberal circles, and 100% it is my fault.

I have taught for 24 years now and one of the main things I try to get across to my students is that there are different perspectives on any given issue. You don't have to believe what someone else does, but show some respect and be able to defend your own opinion or facts.

It's my fault because I talk too much and have an opinion even more too often.

And, if that person is arguing from a feet planted, firm perspective, I just have to try and show a different way. I don't know why I do it, I should just keep my mouth shut, but I don't sometimes. 

And then...

That person either treats my perspective (which may not even be my opinion) with respectful disagreement or, well, doesn't.

And then because I can be emotionally immature when treated like I don't know what I'm talking about, tend to maybe lose it a little.

Ok, sometimes a lot.

I am not perfect, and I sure as heck don't know everything, but I can promise you if I put it out there, I have thought about it a lot and tried to look at an issue from every angle.

Just because I don't agree with something or someone doesn't agree with me, doesn't me that we are wrong, in fact, we are just looking at something from a different perspective.

Abortion?

You're looking through the pregnant woman's perspective or the unborn's perspective.

Illegal Immigration?

You're looking through the people running for a better life's perspective, or how can we handle so many new people and still function perspective.

Law enforcement?

You're looking through the police perspective or the minority policed perspective.

And on and on and on.

Here's a good test for you when it comes to whether you have an open mind or not.

Do you ever feel that your "side" is wrong on any issue or does anything wrong, misspeaks, etc?

Also, when your "side" does this, are you willing to admit it or even speak up and point it out?

If no on those questions, you just might be part of the problem.

But so am I, but I'm trying.

Grace, Always Grace

That teacher just lost her mom.

That teenage student is used to being verbally and physically abused at home.

That police officer is going through a divorce.

That pastor just lost a child to cancer.

That accountant had a flat tire on the way to work.

That principal has a sick pet that has been with her for a long time.

That lawyer has been sexually assaulted.

That coach is dealing with a drug addicted sibling.

That construction worker is getting over alcohol addiction.

That doctor has lost multiple patients this week.

That soccer mom gets no help from her husband.

That McDonald's worker is dealing with a mental illness.

That tech manager is dealing with a parent with Alzheimer's.

That PTO president wishes her kids acknowledged her.

That student wishes her parents would tell her they love her.

That fire fighter has a sick relative.

That young girl has dealt with sexual abuse.

That young guy has dealt with sexual abuse.

That former student is dealing with a criminal trial.

That current student is angry because they've been through more rough things than you have.

That air traffic controller is dealing with a disease that creates pain every day.

That nurse is addicted to pain meds.

We are all dealing with something. What may not seem a lot to you, very well could be huge to that person. 

When dealing with others remember, always remember that a little grace can go a long way.

We're Not in Gangs

I got caught up in it a little when I first became a believer.

When someone left their current church, it was almost like they had committed some unforgivable sin and it would be awkward when you saw them in public.

How dumb is that?

I mean...we're not in gangs.

And if someone continues to go to church, but it's not their current church or the church I attend, I don't care.

Do they still believe in God?

Do they still believe Jesus is the Son of God, died on the cross and was resurrected three days later?

Are they still growing and helping others?

Yes. Yes. and Yes.

Then great for them.

I don't care about differences in churches.

They preach for an hour. Good for them..

They preach for 15 minutes. Good for them.

They have acapella singing. Good for them.

They have a rock and roll band on stage. Good for them.

They do something completely "strange" from your church? Good for them.

If they're not breaking any laws from the government, they're not breaking any moral laws from the Bible, and they believe the above things...well, good for them.

We are taught division from birth; favorite towns, schools, sports teams, etc, etc, but the church needs to get over itself and it's division.

If you're Catholic, I love you.

If you're Methodist, I love you.

If you're Presbyterian, I love you.

If you worship in any church, and heck, even if you don't...I love you.

We must get over our divisions and learn to be the hands and feet of Christ and not the hands and feet of our denomination.

That's Okay

I've noticed that I don't read as much, I don't watch movies as much, and I haven't been writing as much.

And I wonder, is it because I am only reading 140 characters at a time often every day, I watch 10 minute videos often every day and it's causing me not to want to write.

When you are being inundated with short bits of info, the longer bits can be tiring because you don't have the stamina for it. You've gotten out of the habit of reading or watching longer.

I have had some ideas about what to write about, but forget when I get back to a computer to write things down, and maybe that has something to do with it.

I do know that from time to time, my intelligent father would make comments about having too much information, and tune out from time to time.

I couldn't understand it then.

I understand it now.

I guess I am in a time in my life where writing and reading aren't a priority, I don't feel the inspiration to do these things, but that's ok.

Think! or Don't, but Don't Tell Me...

There's too much information and too many people have too many "informed" opinions on any given situation due to that.

Yea, I know. That sounds bad, but a few uninformed people would be nice for the informed to lead around, right?

Yea, probably not.

But what has happened is that too many people feel that they are as informed as experts on situations. 

But to be fair, experts in one field tend to give us their "expert" opinion on issues they don't know as much as we probably do.

I believe what I believe and I believe in the absolute truth of Jesus Christ, but I cannot understand people who are closed minded enough to not want dialogue on any given issue. 

I  will even discuss, debate, dialogue on Jesus.

But people close their minds, and often those who think they're uber open minded are closed just inside a different set of points.

And then there's me who has taught social studies for 24 years now and have been intentional in using logic and reason  to discuss any given point. 

I want my students to think!

But thinking is not being done. It's not being done by the closed minded, uninformed, emotional, knee jerk reactionaries and it's not being done by (gasp) the elite, intelegensia.

One side doesn't care to think and the other side...well, they have it all figured out and there is no questioning their...um..."expertise" as deep thinkers.

I am not sure which is worse, I really don't.

I Don't Have the Answers, But I Know What to Do

My heart hurts.

Maybe it's my head.

No, it's my soul.

You know the thing you can't measure.

Yet, you're gonna tell me it's the chemicals in my brain.

It's not.

It's the inherent truth that I know this isn't how it's supposed to be.

It's all part of God's plan, so they say.

But I don't get it, and I don't want to hear it.

God either does it or allows it.

But that doesn't mean, I can understand Him.

Why does evil exist?

I have some answers, but they're not good.

As a believer, I have to try to explain it.

But as a non-believer, you have to explain it and everything else.

So I will rely on the understanding that I can't understand it all.

I will lean into the pain and hurt to grow.

And I will do all I can to help those going through the same thing.

Do I have the answers?

No.

But I know what to do.

That is to love, pray, love, help, love, fight, and love.

God forgive us for we know not what we do..... 

Do Something or Please, Please....Just Be Quiet

 I don't love guns. 

They make me nervous. 

They're loud, they're dangerous, and I am not a fan.

Yet, I own one, and I believe that under the 2nd amendment, you should, too.

I have always believed and still do believe that guns are not the problem, it's a rotting to the core culture.

But I am tired.

I am tired of mass shootings.

I am tired of children being murdered for being at school.

And I am tired of both political parties doing nothing.

One side continually points out it isn't the guns fault, it's the people doing the shooting that is at fault, and I agree.

The other side continually blames the other side after one of these things happens and then does nothing saying that their hands are tied because of the other side's beliefs.

Yet. the side who wants something done has been in power before and did little to nothing.

I am not in favor of executive orders for much of anything, but I am tired of the grandstanding.

The current President is of the party who gives speeches and blames the other side of the aisle.

His outraged emotional speech last night was moving....but it's time to do something.

Radical change comes from radical action.

This current President, must enact an exeuctive order banning assault rifles, or he needs to either be quiet or admit, he only speaks to get votes.

It's sickening.

It's depressing.

And we need to do something....

Something............................................................

I Am Tired...but Just for Today, for Now

Today is not a good day. It isn't a bad one either.

But nothing specific going on, just worn out. 

Worn out psychologically.

I feel as if I am doing nothing and feeling overwhelmed all at the same time.

I want to travel.

I want to help.

I want to disappear into the woods.

I want to walk the train tracks and camp out along the way.

I want to go to the beach.

I want to run basketball camps for poor children.

I want to go and stay for a month at a time.

I want unlimited funds so I can go where I want, do what I want, any time that I want.

It is selfish, I know, but I want to be able to give my time and money to those I don't see every single day of my life.

I know I am making a difference, at least I hope I am, here, but the monotony of the every day is....tiring. 

I have tried for the last two years to be positive in negative situations, that even that is "old".

I am tired today of the same, of the me, of who I am and what I can and cannot do.

But tomorrow is another day, heck, I may even be better in a couple hours.

You make of life what you want it to be.

I am tired right now, but I know how special and blessed I am to have the family I do, the job I do, the friends that I do.

Even typing this out has helped some.

Some.

Always Accused, Often Answering, Always Presumed

Indiana is a choice state when it comes to attending public schools. You may attend any school you want as long as there is room and they let you in.

If you are lucky enough to be located in a suburban area in the middle of a county close to an urban area and somewhat at the center of the wheel when it comes to other suburban and rural schools, you should feel good. And your school has a good reputation academically and extracurricular wise, you will get many transfers into your school.

If you are good at sports and athletes transfer in, WHETHER THEY MOVE INTO YOUR DISTRICT OR NOT, you will catch grief.

If you are a semi-personable person and the parents you are around ask you about your school and your culture, you will be called a recruiter...if you actually like the place you work and tell them about all the success you can have at that school. 

I have gotten multiple flyers from other schools and corporations "recruiting" my two student-athletes. I throw them away, you're wasting your money with me, but I get it. You are trying to get students into your building to help pay for things (money follows the student in Indiana).

In fact, there are many people who are not happy with all the transfers we get at our school and tend to point out things they don't like. Yet, when you ask a simple question where they have done the same thing (maybe not as many, but you can find them), they act as if they're innocent and have followed the rules.

Yes, so have we. 

So stop.

You're wrong.

And I do expect that if this article is found, you will spread it around on your good ole boys text group and bad mouth me and my school, then smile when in public.

Finally, any time you would like to hear the truth and not the assumptions of your opinions, I would love to speak with you.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday...The Cross, The Sadness/Doubt/Fear, The Empty Tomb

Today is Good Friday, it is the day that is remembered as the day that Jesus was convicted, tortured and sent to die on a cross. 

It was a horrific death, if you don't know, you might think it was just being nailed to the cross that was the pain, and that was awful, but usually someone on a cross died from asphyxiation. 

They would lower their diaphragm and could not breathe, so they would have to pull themselves up on the nails to get air into their lungs. 

Eventually, you would become so exhausted that you died from that asphyxiation. A terrible death. 

If they death took too long, Roman soldiers would stab you to finish you off quicker.

That's just a small explanation of what Jesus went through on Friday.

We often celebrate or remember Friday and Sunday in the Christian faith. Sunday, the tomb is empty, Jesus has overcome death and has taken on the punishment we deserve. He died for us.

But Saturday has kind of intrigued me the last few years.

Imagine your leader in many ways being murdered on Friday and yet unaware that Sunday is coming.

Imagine the sadness, the doubt, the fear by His followers on Saturday.

The absolute sickness and depression that would have engulfed them, I think we can only imagine.

The Sunday comes and the happiness and fulfillment that Jesus is back, He is alive.

Now imagine that without lives?

How often have we been so sad, so full of doubt, so fearful and yet, we make it through often with the help of The Holy Spirit?!

If you're reading this, you have overcome every single bad day or time of your life and are living and hopefully thriving.

So use this time whenever you feel lost!

You can be mad, sad, depressed, upset, whatever....but Sunday exists and it is coming.

Is it Ok for Athletes to Cry After a Loss?

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: Yes, because...

Crying after a loss is not a bad thing, in fact, I believe it's a good thing. 

It shows a few things, one, you care. 

Two, that you've put in a lot of time and not getting the reward you think you deserve is...ok. 

Third, you must be able to get that emotion out without throwing things, hitting anything, or hurting yourself.

Tears are ok...they're good. 

My kids have played a lot of different sports, my wife and I did, too and we all did or have competed. We have given it as much as we can, and we care. We wanted to win, not because losing would make us losers (ok, maybe that's one of my problems, but anyway), but because they are keeping score and if they do then it matters to win.

That gets me to point two. We put a lot of time and effort into sports, really anything, it doesn't have to be sports. By putting that time and effort into it and then competing during the event, if you do not win, it hurts. And it shows you are a competitor, not a baby.

Finally, with point one and two, when that time comes that you lose, it is better to cry than to hurt yourself, break something and show everyone how NOT TO deal with adversity.

Cry...cry it out.

Then get back to work so that you don't feel that again, which you probably will, but it's time to get back to work to improve. 

And show that you are mentally tough that you can be down, but you will get back up again, and again and again and again....

Poland...I made it home. Final thoughts.

Well, I have had a couple days to think...I have tried to keep names out of my writings, some were ok to mention.

But some highlights and lowlights of my one week trip to Lublin, Poland.

I was flagged in Detroit heading to Warsaw, questioned about my intentions on my trip.

Polish is a hard language to learn/know.

I lost my passport.

I got off the train in Lublin one stop too early which isn't a big deal because Uber will find you, but I was by myself...in the dark...just waiting for something else bad to happen.

My coach friend was hard to do much at beginning of trip...he possibly had Covid.

I tried to help at the gym with Ukraine guests, and they got mad at me and wouldn't take my money to donate.

Went to the Old Town, the Nazi Concentration Camp.

Watch two pro basketball games and a practice.

Meet with a church, put the into contact with other churches in US.

Go to the Poland/Ukraine border and visit a Guest camp.

Made two new contacts for future basketball camps.

Donated $700 to organizations helping Ukraines on the ground in Lublin.

Figured out how to mess with the train, planes and Ubers in Lublin and Warsaw.

Sat on a Paris runway for 3 hours before taking off on our 8 hour flight.

Saw my wife and kids and remembered that no matter what I do to help in this world, those three are the most important people in my life and I need to make sure I take care of them first.

To all those who donated and prayed, I am so thankful for your help. You were able to help me help others in small ways and in large ways.

I am glad to be home, but cornerstonehoops.org is not finished by a long shot in trying to bring joy and hope using basketball to anyone and anywhere that will help us.

 

Poland: March 31, 2022

I woke up at 5:45 AM to take my home Ellume test for covid...it was negative!!!

I took a train to Warsaw, met Marcin face to face, walked around Warsaw, went to the US Embassy, hung out with Marcin and went to bed. 

Oh...saw one of the places where the Warsaw Ghetto from WWII was located.

I am exhausted and Friday will be a long day of travel. 

I leave at 6 AM, so I need to be there by 4 at least.

 

March 27, 28, 30

Monday, I met with the Priest in Lublin and have put him contact with another Catholic church in the states. This church in Lublin is working with and dealing with the Ukrainians. They're doing a wonderful job. 

I also was able to donate about $700 that will directly help these guests from Ukraine. All those that donated money, you can trust to know that it is being used for good.

I then was able to watch a Men's basketball game here in Lublin. I was a VIP fan.

Tuesday, I was able to visit the border.

Two weeks ago there were thousands of people, today....very few.

The priest was able to get us into a facility where guests are living and they gave us a run down of what they're doing. 

Poland has done a wonderful job!

I got to watch a Start Lublin practice.

Wednesday, I have my appointment with the US Embassy on Thursday in Warsaw, so today is my last day in Lublin.

Poland: March 27, 2022

I was able to come to grips that my passport is probably lost, so I will contact the US Embassy Monday for more information and what to do.

I visited with my friends that coach Start Lublin basketball team, went to a women's game.

Marcin has schedule me a meeting with a priest in Lublin who does work with the Ukraine visitors.

That is tomorrow.

 

Poland: March 26, 2022

Today was a slow day. I walked around Majdanek Nazi Concentration Camp here in Lublin, it was windy. Waiting to see if I can find my passport and contact with anyone to help.

It's one thing to go to a Holocaust Museum in the states and it's entirely different to actually stand and visit where the thing actually happened.

Really overwhelming and the crows...there are crows there and makes it even more ominous.

I went back to my room and watched a lot of the IHSAA state finals on my phone.

Poland: March 25, 2022

I got on the phone to see what to do about my passport....I lost it, I can't believe it.

Coach Spasev put me in contact with a person in Warsaw who has contacts in the airport.

Marcin is looking around and making calls. I feel much better having someone advocate for me in a foreign country. It's scary to be here and not have that passport. Marcin told me I can get around Poland with my US driver's license.

I went walking around the Old Town of Lublin. Pretty interesting to know that the town is over 700 years old. I did pass by the Ukraine consulate and there were quite a few people waiting outside to try and get visas etc. It is amazing what one persons decision can do to create chaos in so many people's lives.

Coach Spasev put me in contact with a woman who does humanitarian work for Ukraine's.

Yea...so she got back with me and wanted to know if I could find war type materials...I'm not that guy.

Poland: March 24, 2022

I arrived in Warsaw today. Interesting, before I got on the plane in Detroit to head to Warsaw, I was flagged and questioned by security.

Apparently, there are Americans who are involved in trafficking children and taking pharmaceuticals into Ukraine and making money in the Black Market.

I was asked quite a few questions, I wasn't nervous because I hadn't done anything wrong and didn't plan on doing anything wrong, but after about 5-10 minutes, I got on the plane and headed to Paris then Warsaw.

Landing in Warsaw, it was sort of late and I wanted to get a train to Lublin and be there before it was too late. Before I went out through security, I stopped to use the bathroom and then headed out to get a taxi to catch a train to head south. I usually keep all my documents in a book, so I don't have to keep pulling it out of my pockets. Well in that bathroom in the Warsaw airport is the last time I remember having that book.

I lost my passport.

And I felt like I was going to puke.

I ended up getting my train ticket and making it to my AirBnB that night and the next morning I called my friend, Tane Spasev to let him know and what I could do for help.

Too Many Victims on Both Sides

March 16, 2022

I have been glued to the news channels during this war in Ukraine.

I feel a connection to Ukraine and it's why I am heading to Poland, but...

I can't help but think of all the innocent Russians whether in the military or at home who are against this Russian aggression.

Unfortunately, in any given aggressive behavior by a government causes dislike or mistreatment of all people in that area.

We've seen it with Muslims being blamed for the actions of the extreme minority and we are seeing it with Russia.

There are many Russians who have been arrested for standing up against Vladimir Putin and many more will be arrested.

There are innocent troops who may be against the war or have been mislead or lied to about what's going on in Ukraine.

I have been to Ukraine, I've been to Kyiv...I never once thought I was in a "Nazi" country with genocide occurring. It very much seemed like a calm, peaceful European city/country.

So when I think of the innocent Ukrainians, I can't forget about the innocent Russians, too who are being subjected to a lying, evil (yes evil) leader.

I pray for all peoples in the area and I pray that we attempt in our violence to not act in vengeance, but in reconciliation.

Unless Something Outside of My Control....

 March 10, 2022

Well since I have decided to go to Poland, I have been hit by a lot of "attaboys". Makes me feel funny. I am doing this in Jesus name, but I seem to be getting the attention for it. I get it, it makes sense, but it still makes me feel funny.

I am doing this because I feel convicted to go and help in Jesus name, not for me to get complimented.

In three days, I have raised around $900 from people who know I am going and wanting to help me go and help. 

Talk about overwhelming!

I am on year two of having my NPO and last year I raised funds to do what I was called to do, but by a much fewer amount of people than have reached out in the last few days.

I am so thankful for everyone who is helping me to help others.

I have had many people tell me they will pray for me, and that is great, but prayer and financial assistance is a different type of commitment and I am thankful. More than I can ever put in words.

I guess I am writing today because there are so many emotions I am experiencing.

Oh, and my family supports me. Where I am going is relatively safe and my wife and kids have gotten used to me doing this.

But my mom...she's not happy about it, she doesn't like when I travel out of country anywhere, but this is close to a war, so I get it, but mom...I am 52.

I will continue to write as I feel motivated to do so.

Still lots of mowing to do (I do that to help raise funds) until I leave.

My Thoughts on the War in Ukraine

I have been paying attention to history my entire life, I have seen the repercussions of events before and during my life.

My visit to Kyiv last summer has personalized this war with Russia invading more of Ukraine more than any other world history event in my lifetime.

And I have some thoughts.

1. Russia cannot win unless they completely pull out of the Ukraine and help to rebuild the country. That's not going to happen, I don't believe. So Russia is probably the most isolated country in the history of the world and will not change if they "win". So if Russia wins, it loses. Maybe not so much Vladimir Putin, but the Russian people who have been victimized by this action.

2. Vladimir Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has had multiple attempts on his life from Russian agents. Zelensky has become a popular, strong leader not just in Ukraine, but throughout the world. If he lives, he will be one of the most popular politicians/leaders ever, but if he dies, he becomes a heroic martyr.  Many Ukrainian people will never fight if Zelensky is killed.

3. War is horrific. It happens every day somewhere in the world. The vision here could be given to too many places in the world.

4. If Russia uses a false flag to bomb somewhere inside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, World War III will have started. Any aggression towards a NATO country will be a direct attack on the United States. This will get the US involved and will escalate the fighting. If there is any indication of how bad Russia's military is from it's lack of quick win in Ukraine, then they could very well feel pushed in a corner. That corner could have just one option and that is a nuclear military strike. Escalation is not good, yet we cannot let this stand.

5. This is not President Trump's or President Biden's fault. I don't care how either President handled Ukraine or Putin before this. This invasion is completely and totally the leader of Russia Vladimir Putin's fault. To make this a political gain to blame a US President is wrong.

6. There are three options here: complete Russian pullout, guerrilla warfare for a long time under Russian occupation or escalation. The first is the best, but I am not sure it will happen.

Conviction: A Strong Persuasion or Belief (Poland)

March 8, 2022

"Go"...Jesus said.

Conviction is a strong persuasion or belief. I have felt convicted many times in my life and I have not followed through.

I am doing it now.

I feel convicted to go to Poland to help in any way because of my time spent in Ukraine. My time spent there with the people was wonderful and watching what the people are going through is hard to watch.

So, I'm going.

It seems dangerous, especially to people who may not travel internationally, but it won't be anymore than any other trip as I will meet up with two old friends who coach a pro basketball team in Lublin.

There are some loop holes to jump through (is that the correct saying?), but I will help in some way from stacking or moving good, to feeding people, to giving money to organizations in that area to help.

I have been overwhelmed by those who have donated to help me do this and I won't let you down.

The plane ticket is bought and I am just waiting to go....

Thank God (literally)

I was baptized at 32.

I was doubter, questioner, I guess agnostic up until then, so I guess I don't get it.

I see it in my family of people who have grown up in the church and I see it in others who grew up in the church, this callousness that we can develop with cynicism.

Jesus becomes a fall back, an emotional entity when we feel compassion. He's not an every day, want to live for entity.

And I guess that's why I don't get it.

What I don't get is the consistent lambasting and arguing of believers online. I mean, seriously, what difference are we making? In fact, we're probably turning more people away by behaving that way. We may feel better about ourselves, but we're just tickling the ears that agree with us and angering those who disagree.

And in that group, there may be someone leaning one way or another and your interaction can push them one way or another.

Look, I am not perfect, in fact, I am as far away from it as you can probably get and still be legal. I am too emotional sometimes especially when someone or something I love is attacked. Call it the small town Indiana in me, but I have a chip on my shoulder. But in the old days, I would keep a list of enemies in my head of people I would have nothing to do with anymore. Now, I realize I have probably failed in many ways and I try to ask for forgiveness.

But in a very real world that we live in, people are hurting. People are struggling mentally and physically and I don't want to add to it....intentionally.

So when it comes to illegal immigrants, Muslims, LGBTQ, atheists, etc, etc, etc...I have an opinion. In fact, I have many thought out opinions that probably most of you or many of you would disagree with and I am ok with that. And I am really ok with keeping those opinions off social media. Face to face, we can have a talk, I am good with it, but I am not going to turn people away from Jesus because of...well, me and my behavior.

All of those above groups and every other group from divorced people, people in prison, murderers, rapists, child molesters, every single person on this planet, I am going to love and hope that they ask for repentance because I believe that no one is outside the grace of God through Jesus. And I truly believe that we all need is to accept that grace.

My issue is I do not want anyone to reject Jesus because as a follower of Him, I have given them a reason to not want to be in the "club" when we all need that club in our daily lives and for the life after this one here on Earth.

We have laws in this country, yes, I believe that, but there are people here legally, illegally, I don't care, I am going to help and love them if I can. My job is not to enforce the law, my job is to enforce the love of Jesus. I support our lawmakers, I support the laws being enforced, but I do not support or enforce the dislike or hate of the law breaker. 

I can't

Because I am a law breaker too.

Thank God (literally) for Jesus!

I have been asked and written about this before, but I give money to the homeless on the street, I will give money to people who ask me at a gas pump for help to get to wherever they're going and I know, absolutely know that I have been taken advantage of before.

My belief is that what I do in that situation is between me and God, what they do with my help is between them and God.

I'd rather be taken advantage of 100 times and be right once, than to be taken advantage of 100 times and be wrong that one time when I could have helped.

I write this to remind you, and me, that we need checked from time to time, that we need to look in the mirror and figure out are we being consistent? 

Are we being consistent on what we say we believe and how we live that out.

I wish you well.

I Got a Flyer in the Mail Today

I got a flyer in the mail today. 

It was from a local public school trying to recruit my two student-athletes to their corporation.

I got one the other day, too, and the month before that also.

Two were from public schools/corporations, one was from a private school.

These schools were trying to recruit my student-athletes.

By the way, I live right next to my kids schools. I mean, you walk around a fence and I am on Silver Creek school property.

Yet, I got flyers in the mail about attending other schools.

I didn't have to move, the flyers read.

There would be a bus to pick them up, the flyers read.

They had great academics, the flyers read. 

Oh...and their athletics teams/facilities were top notch, the flyers read.

Yet, my kids who live next to their school (literally) are getting flyers in the mail to attend other schools and I see the shiny pictures of their great facilities on the flyers. Heck, some nights I can even drive by a couple of schools with their lights on showcasing their athletic facilities.  

You could almost argue that my kids are being recruited for sports because they're both pretty good athletes, or maybe not. Maybe it's Indiana is a school choice state and all schools are trying to get students from all over the area to attend their school/s.

I realize that everyone in my neighborhood got the flyers, many without children, but still....

You can't have it both ways.

You can't.

You cannot have rosters filled with student-athletes that do not live in your school district and complain that others do the same...or I guess you can. It's a free country.

I had a coach here say a great line and it is so true from what I know, what I've seen, and what I've seen done..."a lot of dirty hands around here throwing dirt on our name."

I Just Want...

I just want to do good and not be criticized for it. Especially when I have done nothing wrong.

I just want to help other people and laugh/tease them without their feelings getting hurt, and my misreading the situation and saying the wrong thing.

I just want to make people feel better, help people and not have others think there is an ulterior motive.

I just want to help and have people recognize it and reinforce it, not drag me down for it.

I just want to not let things said or done hurt so much.

I just want to fight the good fight, but not have to.

I just want to be in a good mood, keep proper perspective no matter the arrows that come my way.

I just want to look to God when the lions are milling about.

I just want for my family not to hurt because of health issues.

I just want for my family not to hurt because of mental health.

I just want for my family to appreciate more and criticize less.

I just want to not feel mentally fatigued when wrongly attacked.

I just want to be bold enough to apologize first when rightfully criticized and not feel the need to attack.

I just want to feel wanted, needed, and appreciated.

I just want to know that I don't need to feel wanted, needed, and appreciated to do good stuff.

I just want to not take things so personally when attacked.

I just want to go and live in the middle of nowhere North Dakota with no Internet, cell phone or social media.

I just want my kids to be happy, healthy, and great at what they want to do.

I just want to not think so much, so often and so detailed and deep as it is exhausting.

I just want to be rich to help those less fortunate.

I just want to be famous to bring joy to people's lives.

I just don't want to be rich and famous and be joyful in what I am.

I just want to enjoy life and not let all of the negativity to enter my life, but more importantly to not enter my mind.

Brave New World in Indiana

I live in Indiana.

Indiana has school choice for K-12 schools.

That means that you can attend any school you want to attend, but you may (may) have to provide your own transportation.

Those students who attend your school and do not live within that school's district are called transfers.

In Indiana, the money follows the student and where they attend school. So each student is actually worth around $10,000 for the school.

Which means the more transfers the more money coming from outside of your district to better your schools.

Many schools have benefitted from transfers and many of these students play sports, participate in co-curricular programs and often benefit the school which they attend.

When these students enroll and attend our school, they are now Silver Creek students. 

They are not "false" students, they are Dragons. No more and no less than someone who transferred in while attending elementary school, 7th grade, or high school.

They are not students taking away opportunities from other students, they are raising the stakes for the current students are steering them into something else here at school.

Many schools in this area have benefitted from transfers, some who ended up being pretty good athletes, but no recruiting has occurred. If there has been, it's been the school or the sports program recruiting for itself. It's parents after being asked about the school and the community selling the school that their children attend and they want to share that experience with others.

In fact, our school board has approved sending school buses into other districts to make it easier for students in other school districts to attend our schools which is a great idea.

It's a brave new world and not many like it...I get it.

I've worked at schools who struggled to get out of district transfers and I work at a school who doesn't struggle with it.

But perception is reality, and you're going to hear negative thoughts from outside of your school, but when it happens within the school it is very disappointing. And when your name is slandered...makes it even worse.

I am thankful for the out of district transfers because they've helped me make more money as a teacher. I am thankful because I have met a lot of really cool kids from the surrounding areas. And I have enjoyed watching my school and others benefit from recognition by its students who are both from inside and outside of their "school" community.

You don't have to like how the system works, but it is the system and what is your school doing to market itself?

Again, you may not like it, but it's important in today's world

Or....

They don't have to do these things and that is ok, too.

Philosophically Confusing

Traditionally, people of faith tend to be a little more questioning of Darwinism than non-believers. Darwinism, simply put, is the idea of evolution through the survival of the fittest. Change from one species to another probably gets the most attention, but change within species (also Darwinism) is measurable and verifiable.

But let's get back to the whole "survival of the fittest" and people of faith, and let's pick on specifically evangelical Christians. Many new creationists (they believe that the world is 6,000 years old) are appalled at Darwinism and will tell you there has not been enough time for all the species to evolve. Many old world creationists, often argue the same thing, but will sometimes concede Darwinism evolution does occur within species.

Yet, over the last two years, I have noticed something rather interesting. Many people of faith, including evangelical Christians, have become Darwinist in their beliefs with Covid-19. What do I mean by that? Tell me if you have heard some of these terms in your church: "There is risk in living"; "We are all going to get it anyway"; "Masks and quarantining should not be mandated", and I am sure there are other examples. These comments are Darwinist evolution in nature (lol). The idea that there is risk inherent in living assumes survival of the fittest as does assuming everyone will get Covid-19, and finally that masks should be optional.

Now, I am not arguing for or against these comments, in fact, I probably agree with most of them, but this virus has revealed in us ideas we may not have always agreed upon before.

And I am not just going to pick on the faith groups either. The Darwinists have become oddly worried about the "weaker" of us in society. These people usually believe that evolution is a fact, that's it's happening and that is has made society and animal groups better and stronger. Yet, they seem to be concerned with those in society that don't want to be vaccinated, don't want to wear masks, don't want to shut schools down, and overall pose a greater risk to dying.

Sure, you could argue that those evolutionists want to protect themselves, but a natural thinning of the herd would often be considered good by those in that group. In fact, the thinning of the herd would occur in groups that they often do not agree on most any issue. So what's the problem?

The last two years have definitely been frustrating and a lot of growth and learning has taken place for me personally. I happen to fall into the class of the Darwinist here because I guess it follows more under free will and choice. I am vaccinated, I wear a mask, and I try to be somewhat smart, but if you choose to not do those things, well, I believe that freedom is for everyone even those that disagree with me. Even those who potentially want to harm to me.

So, in the short term we will move on arguing, getting sick, dying, and disagreeing over what is right with Covid-19. But here's what I believe, too. In the long term, those same thing will keep happening and I am not sure that it isn't time to live our lives freely with some intelligence...if you choose to.

But what do I know? I am just a regular person with an opinion who makes no decisions for others...and I kind of like it that way.