I recently came across a Facebook post with a picture of a guy holding up a dead rattlesnake that was quite large.
I have to admit my suspicion which prompted me to Google "giant rattlesnake." In a flash, the picture was found. The only problem was that the Facebook post referenced the guy in the picture being from Texas, while the googled page said he was from Georgia. I could go deeply into plagiarism which was so evident, but the illusion is what I wanted to concentrate on.
This shocking picture is quite similar to a somewhat famed picture of giant camelback spiders being held by the military person.
http://www.grose.us/pics/camel_spider.jpg
Here is the trick: it is called forced perspective. In both cases focal points give a known comparison as a background. In the case of the snake it is a 6'2" man, and for the spiders which are closer to scorpions in fact, it is the soldier's leg. From an artistic standpoint forced perspective takes on a surreal feel, but in these instances, the effect is more realistic to make it seem real.
If you check out the can by the guy's foot holding the snake, it looks rather small. The truth is that the snake is being held four to five feet out in front of him making the snake look much larger than it really is.
Similarly, if you focus to the right of the fighting camelback spiders, you get a better idea from the sleeve of the soldier holding them up as to how big they really are. Not to diminish either creature, the other soldiers are keeping their distance and a rattlesnake is ominous regardless of how big it is.
So, what instructional tidbit can be gleaned from these photographic illusions? I suppose I could mention the importance of visual literacy or the fact that images as well as film can be manipulated. Or I could discuss how we have to be careful with intellectual property, and all of this is important when it comes to lesson design. However, I feel compelled to point out a world view comparison. Our hope, faith, and trust is in God alone. The world sees Christ as some small figurine dangling from a chain: a forced perspective. The rock singer Madonna was once quoted saying that the crosses she wore we "sexy."
The flip side is, that the brutality of sin and the curse placed upon the real man Jesus is a truth that was far from beautiful. A tiny figurine He IS not, for the man Jesus is fully God and was not held captive in death. No, He spoke life into existence: His power is immeasurable including His love for each person regardless of his/ her wickedness. Satan would have mankind to view Christ as some figurine. Rather, he is the King of all, Devine Creator who loved us enough take our sinful punishment. He really is that big and so is His love for you.
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From NCLB to CCR
The last ten years emphasized accountability of schools through standardized testing requirements. The ultimate goal was that every child would meet standard on state required tests. Each year the numbers of students meeting standards increased until all students were to be meeting standards, or beyond, by year 2012. Schools whose student numbers that didn't meet requirements started receiving consequences: this was No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and seems a logical path right?
With the end of an administration and an era of education legislation comes a new philosophy that emphasizes preparedness for college. In other words. All schools should follow the same standards across the country that are rigorously preparing every student for college or careers. This sounds pretty good right, because everybody gets the same education.
The problem:
NCLB was a pipe-dream that unfortunately led to extensive test-prep, unethical behaviors in testing situations to avoid penalties, and in truth, ten years of a lot of bad teaching, not to mention a somewhat justified loss of respect for public education. Kids were still being left behind and there was a decline of fresh educators entering the force and a growing exodus of experienced teachers tired of of the brow beating. This has further led to a rise of districts outsourcing positions to oversees teachers. Now that's effective legislation for the betterment of our country.
So, does CCR offer a better solution? It does offer change, but is limited in funding. It seems to be some cruel legislative Superbowl idea of having schools compete for limited governmental perks in order to be able to upgrade to 21st century technologies, and equally important, needed staff training. In the meantime financially strapped states have already had to cut funding of various institutions and with schools being large portions of states payrolls, schools have taken sizable financial hits. It sounds like another pipe-dream and we know who being left behind.
But have I talked about the real problem? The initial proponents for educating children publicly were the puritans in the 1700's. Their primary belief was that an educated society was crucial for a stable safe society that could interpret scripture and live accordingly. They had lived under religious oppression prior, that discouraged the commoner from learning to read. They believed their former teaching to be erroneous. Compulsory education did not come for another hundred years. Fast forward to 1962 and a critical court case Engel v. Vitale ruled against prayer in the school. The big picture: schools have been relied upon to address social needs/ills of the culture they serve throughout the decades, but have gradually had impediments added over time. As a general rule, they do the best they can, but is it enough? The answer is no. Legislation is not the answer to our society's issues and that includes public education especially now when our social ills are far from agreed upon.
I used to say when I first started in education, "We shouldn't take the light out of the public schools." However, I have come to realize that yes children are also carriers of the light but, to rely on the government's answer to learning doesn't align with scripture. It is the family's job to train up the child in the way that he should go. School's mission used to be to support all other institutions, including family. Times have changed and so has the idea family. That mission no longer exists and in some cases the relationship is adversarial.
The answer is found in the Word and the Church. I recently read a Barnum report about church's investing. The biggest investment is in adults as a rule. Barnum feels it should be reversed due to poor retention of our kids and I agree. I live in a city of 109,000 population. There are 7 Catholic churches in town. Each church claims a constituency of 1500 families. That is approximately 35,000 professing catholics: every church is tied to a school. Talk about an impact on a community. Protestant churches aught to take note. If we want to spread the gospel the best way to do it is through kids. Our investment should be in creating top notch, high tech, affordable education that not only educates, but indoctrinates the Word of God. If we truly want to evangelize our communities we need to follow the Puritan example and invest our money in our children and their educations and not rely on a faulty state system with proven failure.
With the end of an administration and an era of education legislation comes a new philosophy that emphasizes preparedness for college. In other words. All schools should follow the same standards across the country that are rigorously preparing every student for college or careers. This sounds pretty good right, because everybody gets the same education.
The problem:
NCLB was a pipe-dream that unfortunately led to extensive test-prep, unethical behaviors in testing situations to avoid penalties, and in truth, ten years of a lot of bad teaching, not to mention a somewhat justified loss of respect for public education. Kids were still being left behind and there was a decline of fresh educators entering the force and a growing exodus of experienced teachers tired of of the brow beating. This has further led to a rise of districts outsourcing positions to oversees teachers. Now that's effective legislation for the betterment of our country.
So, does CCR offer a better solution? It does offer change, but is limited in funding. It seems to be some cruel legislative Superbowl idea of having schools compete for limited governmental perks in order to be able to upgrade to 21st century technologies, and equally important, needed staff training. In the meantime financially strapped states have already had to cut funding of various institutions and with schools being large portions of states payrolls, schools have taken sizable financial hits. It sounds like another pipe-dream and we know who being left behind.
But have I talked about the real problem? The initial proponents for educating children publicly were the puritans in the 1700's. Their primary belief was that an educated society was crucial for a stable safe society that could interpret scripture and live accordingly. They had lived under religious oppression prior, that discouraged the commoner from learning to read. They believed their former teaching to be erroneous. Compulsory education did not come for another hundred years. Fast forward to 1962 and a critical court case Engel v. Vitale ruled against prayer in the school. The big picture: schools have been relied upon to address social needs/ills of the culture they serve throughout the decades, but have gradually had impediments added over time. As a general rule, they do the best they can, but is it enough? The answer is no. Legislation is not the answer to our society's issues and that includes public education especially now when our social ills are far from agreed upon.
I used to say when I first started in education, "We shouldn't take the light out of the public schools." However, I have come to realize that yes children are also carriers of the light but, to rely on the government's answer to learning doesn't align with scripture. It is the family's job to train up the child in the way that he should go. School's mission used to be to support all other institutions, including family. Times have changed and so has the idea family. That mission no longer exists and in some cases the relationship is adversarial.
The answer is found in the Word and the Church. I recently read a Barnum report about church's investing. The biggest investment is in adults as a rule. Barnum feels it should be reversed due to poor retention of our kids and I agree. I live in a city of 109,000 population. There are 7 Catholic churches in town. Each church claims a constituency of 1500 families. That is approximately 35,000 professing catholics: every church is tied to a school. Talk about an impact on a community. Protestant churches aught to take note. If we want to spread the gospel the best way to do it is through kids. Our investment should be in creating top notch, high tech, affordable education that not only educates, but indoctrinates the Word of God. If we truly want to evangelize our communities we need to follow the Puritan example and invest our money in our children and their educations and not rely on a faulty state system with proven failure.
Almost Epiphany
Have you ever felt like you were on the verge of an epiphany: that revelation of magnanimous proportion that would rock your's and everybody else's lives, yet you can't seem to break through? It is a love/hate thing for me when I feel that way.
Somewhere out there in the recesses of my pondering might just be something really cool. On the flip side is the shroud that falls on the feeling like a curtain plummeting onto some poor sap of a performer that should never even walk near the stage, much less on it.
Some might consider the conversion of the Apostle Paul an epiphany, however Paul's claim to Apostleship found in Acts as well as II Corinthians describes an encounter with God beyond some sort of vision. He had a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. Though I am not a theologian, I can only imagine that Paul's stint in the desert involved further encounters, though this notion is dimly alluded to. However, few can argue against the magnitude of impact that Paul's experience has had on the world.
In a blog I read about epiphanies, the author had lit into someone for overuse of the word because the word represented something sacred to him. A comparison to an igniting sculpture bearing the name "Epiphany" was made. The author claimed that such rare occasions of visions of gods should be reverenced.
However, such sacred events should be common for the believer who dwells in the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit teaches us and enlightens us concerning The Truth. Jesus talked about this prior to his ascension. This was truly evidenced shortly after on the day of Pentecost as Peter preached, and further as these simple minded disciples literally rocked the known world; in many cases one by one.
So, how do we receive these spiritual encounters regularly? We posture ourselves in a place to hear God's voice. It is a daily search into His mysteries that He desires to share with us with the Holy Spirit as the Inboard professor. We saturate are minds with the Bible, then pray for revelation.
If that is all it takes, than why is it so hard? The reason is clearly connected to my analogy of what it feels like to lose that feeling. When should a believer feel worthless? The answer is easier than the belief: never. Why, because Jesus said when we accept him as Lord we become joint heirs with him. A pauper that finds out he is an heir to the throne will carry himself differently, unless he doesn't fully believe it.
According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." The interesting thing about this verse is that he didn't say he couldn't see or didn't know at all. No, while we walk out our life, God's mysteries are being made known to those postured to hear His voice. But...one day, it is all going to be clear as we are in His presence.
What's an epiphany? For a non-believer I am not sure. For the believer however, it might just be the same small voice that spoke to to Elijah or Samuel of old trying to get your attention. He just wants your glass a little less dark.
Somewhere out there in the recesses of my pondering might just be something really cool. On the flip side is the shroud that falls on the feeling like a curtain plummeting onto some poor sap of a performer that should never even walk near the stage, much less on it.
Some might consider the conversion of the Apostle Paul an epiphany, however Paul's claim to Apostleship found in Acts as well as II Corinthians describes an encounter with God beyond some sort of vision. He had a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. Though I am not a theologian, I can only imagine that Paul's stint in the desert involved further encounters, though this notion is dimly alluded to. However, few can argue against the magnitude of impact that Paul's experience has had on the world.
In a blog I read about epiphanies, the author had lit into someone for overuse of the word because the word represented something sacred to him. A comparison to an igniting sculpture bearing the name "Epiphany" was made. The author claimed that such rare occasions of visions of gods should be reverenced.
However, such sacred events should be common for the believer who dwells in the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit teaches us and enlightens us concerning The Truth. Jesus talked about this prior to his ascension. This was truly evidenced shortly after on the day of Pentecost as Peter preached, and further as these simple minded disciples literally rocked the known world; in many cases one by one.
So, how do we receive these spiritual encounters regularly? We posture ourselves in a place to hear God's voice. It is a daily search into His mysteries that He desires to share with us with the Holy Spirit as the Inboard professor. We saturate are minds with the Bible, then pray for revelation.
If that is all it takes, than why is it so hard? The reason is clearly connected to my analogy of what it feels like to lose that feeling. When should a believer feel worthless? The answer is easier than the belief: never. Why, because Jesus said when we accept him as Lord we become joint heirs with him. A pauper that finds out he is an heir to the throne will carry himself differently, unless he doesn't fully believe it.
According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." The interesting thing about this verse is that he didn't say he couldn't see or didn't know at all. No, while we walk out our life, God's mysteries are being made known to those postured to hear His voice. But...one day, it is all going to be clear as we are in His presence.
What's an epiphany? For a non-believer I am not sure. For the believer however, it might just be the same small voice that spoke to to Elijah or Samuel of old trying to get your attention. He just wants your glass a little less dark.
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