I will post more about this topic in the ensuing days, but if you are a parent in the 45 states that have adopted the Common Core standards, please consider filling out the opt-out form and taking it to your school. While this doesn't appear to be any kind of legally binding document, it will force the school to communicate with you about these standards. Tell other parents and get them involved. If parents will raise concerns, the school board must reply.
http://truthinamericaneducation.com/uncategorized/ccss-parent-opt-out-form/
Also check out these links:
Senator Chuck Grassley's efforts to defund CC
http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2013/04/grassley-launches-effort-to-prohibit-common-core-funding/
Glenn Beck's opposition to CC
http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2013/03/glenn-beck-blasts-the-common-core/
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Christian Tactics for Political War
While attending my first Tea Party meeting this week, I found myself struggling to describe this blog, which has all of three posts (when I post this one). "My posts are reflections on my changing political views," I finally explained, partly to discourage further curiosity, since I haven't merited the title "blogger." I see myself being like those unpublished poets who haven't written much, but whose minds and journals are teeming with jumbled ideas they'll write down...some day. Until the words manifest themselves on paper, or on the screen, all the ideas are but fancies of an idle brain.
I listed all the ideas teeming in my brain, and this one asserts itself as the most consuming: Christian responsibility in American politics. I'm forever questioning whether my words in social media in response to politics are Spirit filled. Venture into the contentious political blogosphere and Twitterverse without the armor of Christ and you'll quickly become of the world, not just in the world.
My view of this worrisome issue expanded again last night, unexpectedly, at a one-night women's retreat. Featured Bible teacher Donna Gaines painted a panoramic view of the Bible, highlighting the motifs that symbolize God's presence from Genesis to Revelation. What made me sit up on the edge of my seat was her current mission: partnering churches with Memphis public schools. As she talked, I realized she was describing another tactic of the political and cultural war we are facing in America. Christians in the Tea Party are valiantly battling on the political front by educating the public via social media, organizing rallies, supporting candidates, and starting petitions. These are our defensive tactics. Equally, or more importantly, we have powerful offensive tactics that promise to release our country from the strangling grip of liberalism. Unlike the offensive tactics of the Left, which are destructive and catastrophic, our offensive tactics are constructive and life giving.
Jesus sends us "as sheep in the midst of wolves," and instructs us to "be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16). Most Christians are pretty good at being doves, though not so much harmless as useless. We need to train ourselves to be wise as serpents by looking for opportunities to infiltrate Satanic strongholds.
This tactic begins with prayer and fasting. Gaines admits she could never have organized what is happening between faith organizations and public schools in Memphis. The only explanation possible is that this is God's strategy, and he was looking for the humble and willing servants who would band together with the unity of the Spirit. Failing schools are places of apathy, poverty, hopelessness, and even violence; but by virtue of being such a burden, apparently, these schools have become a weight the government might willingly unload onto churches by allowing them to adopt schools in which Christians will tutor students.
Socialists are wise snakes who, for nearly a century, have employed an effective tactic of targeting American youth through the educational system (see the film AGENDA: Griding America Down). Anyone with even an elementary understanding of history knows tyrants educate the youth to turn the next generation into thralls, but instead of using the same approach with the mind of Christ, we Christians are submissively bowing to the Supreme Court mandates citing "separation of church and state." Serpents are not so easily crushed underfoot.
We should be ashamed at the way we have cowed and retreated from the battle. We should bow before God in fear instead, and with prayer and petition, ask for serpentine wisdom to see breaks in the enemy's line. The God who parted the Red Sea will part the enemy's offensive line.
Political involvement shouldn't be abandoned; we need to support the Palins and Carsons and Bachmanns who have suffered brutal attacks on their character to defend our freedom. Some of us, though, may be called to fight behind the lines in less conspicuous, but no less significant, places. No matter how oppressive our government becomes, remember there are always loopholes, and God always reserves a remnant of his faithful children.
I listed all the ideas teeming in my brain, and this one asserts itself as the most consuming: Christian responsibility in American politics. I'm forever questioning whether my words in social media in response to politics are Spirit filled. Venture into the contentious political blogosphere and Twitterverse without the armor of Christ and you'll quickly become of the world, not just in the world.
My view of this worrisome issue expanded again last night, unexpectedly, at a one-night women's retreat. Featured Bible teacher Donna Gaines painted a panoramic view of the Bible, highlighting the motifs that symbolize God's presence from Genesis to Revelation. What made me sit up on the edge of my seat was her current mission: partnering churches with Memphis public schools. As she talked, I realized she was describing another tactic of the political and cultural war we are facing in America. Christians in the Tea Party are valiantly battling on the political front by educating the public via social media, organizing rallies, supporting candidates, and starting petitions. These are our defensive tactics. Equally, or more importantly, we have powerful offensive tactics that promise to release our country from the strangling grip of liberalism. Unlike the offensive tactics of the Left, which are destructive and catastrophic, our offensive tactics are constructive and life giving.
Jesus sends us "as sheep in the midst of wolves," and instructs us to "be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16). Most Christians are pretty good at being doves, though not so much harmless as useless. We need to train ourselves to be wise as serpents by looking for opportunities to infiltrate Satanic strongholds.
This tactic begins with prayer and fasting. Gaines admits she could never have organized what is happening between faith organizations and public schools in Memphis. The only explanation possible is that this is God's strategy, and he was looking for the humble and willing servants who would band together with the unity of the Spirit. Failing schools are places of apathy, poverty, hopelessness, and even violence; but by virtue of being such a burden, apparently, these schools have become a weight the government might willingly unload onto churches by allowing them to adopt schools in which Christians will tutor students.
Socialists are wise snakes who, for nearly a century, have employed an effective tactic of targeting American youth through the educational system (see the film AGENDA: Griding America Down). Anyone with even an elementary understanding of history knows tyrants educate the youth to turn the next generation into thralls, but instead of using the same approach with the mind of Christ, we Christians are submissively bowing to the Supreme Court mandates citing "separation of church and state." Serpents are not so easily crushed underfoot.
We should be ashamed at the way we have cowed and retreated from the battle. We should bow before God in fear instead, and with prayer and petition, ask for serpentine wisdom to see breaks in the enemy's line. The God who parted the Red Sea will part the enemy's offensive line.
Political involvement shouldn't be abandoned; we need to support the Palins and Carsons and Bachmanns who have suffered brutal attacks on their character to defend our freedom. Some of us, though, may be called to fight behind the lines in less conspicuous, but no less significant, places. No matter how oppressive our government becomes, remember there are always loopholes, and God always reserves a remnant of his faithful children.
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