Voices of Sudan

"A 'worldly Christian'? What a misnomer.
You might as well talk about a heavenly devil."
Billy Sunday


David Johnson is changing the way we see our world, one picture at a time. Last Thursday I had the privilege of meeting him. He shared his story with my students and within the span of one hour an eternity of possibilities were revealed; a story about the most powerful force in the universe- the love of God, fleshed out through a faithful follower of Christ.


David Johnson is the President and Founder of Silent Images, a non-profit organization whose mission is to give voice to the voiceless.
Here is the Mission Statement:


MISSION
Silent Images is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that seeks to tell the stories of hope in the midst of persecution, poverty, or oppression through journalistic photography, videography, and writing. The stories and images are provided to non-profit organizations in an effort to educate and be a voice for the voiceless around the world.

David's message to the students of Trinity Christian Preparatory School was a call to arms; a challenge, I pray, some will accept.

Curriculum, Rubrics and Things People Say

cur·ric·u·lum  (k-rky-lm)

Origin: L, lit., a running course, race, career
latin; currere, to run

a fixed series of studies required, as in a college, for graduation,

qualification in a major field of study, etc.

I love questions. Well, some questions, the ones that cut to the chase. Certain questions are fun, like, "Does God have favorite colors?" He does use blue and green alot. Some questions are tricky.
How about these:


Where is the line that separates contentment and apathy?


When does confidence become arrogance?


What is the value of a teardrop, or a timely word?


And then, there are questions that chafe our minds, leaving blisters on our pride. These are the questions that speak to underlying issues. These are the questions we pose to ourselves. A few weeks ago a parent said to me, "I don't even know what you do." What I do? I was offended. For nearly two years her child has been a student in my art classes. Then I asked myself, "What did she mean by that?" My mind traveled all over the board, from the Slough of Despond to the Valley of Humiliation (to borrow from John Bunyan). I searched the ancient records (my lesson plans), checking them against State and National Standards (which they met or exceeded). Finally, a classic movie line came to me- "What we've got here is failure to communicate" (voted #11 in American Film Institutes' 100 Movie Quotes Poll- click here to see the entire list), from Cool Hand Luke.


Daily, I am inundated with the thought process of the teenage mind so I understand a few things about it (2 of my 5 children still remain in this category). Here is one thing I know- as a general rule, teenagers don't communicate well with their parents, especially when it comes to school-related matters. And, in their defense, after spending all day doing schoolwork they don't want to give a recap in the evening. As a result, many parents have no idea what occurs in their child's classrooms, unless something exciting or challenging happens, and that is why the comment from the parent went deep. My job, as a teacher, is to communicate. I am called to meet students where they are and lead them further. I must be persistent and consistent. This includes ongoing conversation with parents. 


So, I must say, "Thank you!" to the parent who reminded me that my job doesn't end when the bell rings.


I have been asked, on occasion, "How did my child get a 'C' in Art?"
Here is the answer-


1. Occasionally pays attention
2. Completes every other assignment
(odd or even, the student's choice)
3. Finishes assignments as quickly, and poorly, as possible
4. Files a formal request for mediocrity
(see below)


Formal Request
For Mediocrity 

On a more serious note, here is the rubric I developed for Westminster Academy, Memphis, TN-

On Priorities, Performance and Purpose

Isaiah 61:1

It has been said, "Be careful what you pray for- you may get it!" On September 30, 2007, I was in Winston-Salem listening to Roger Wiles give an eloquent message to the Covenant of Grace congregation. His sermon included this passage:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news

to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to captives,

and freedom to prisoners

Isaiah 61:1

As I meditated on the passage I prayed this- "Lord, give me the afflicted and brokenhearted youth of the Piedmont and by Your grace and strength I will help teach them." Two years later, God answered that prayer. I did not realize how challenging the task would be. And so, I did what I have always done- I went into 'Martha-Mode', pouring my time and energy into lesson plans, study, reading countless articles... exhaustion ad infinitum.

A few weeks ago I heard these familiar words, "Michael, Michael, you are worried and bothered about so many things", words originally spoken by Jesus to Martha. I can relate to Martha. Here is a piece of her story:

Now as they were traveling along, Jesus entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42 NAS

Here are a few comparisons:

Martha - Mary

Busyness - Simplicity

Alone and Grumbling - With Jesus and Listening

Focused on doing - Focused on being

Many things - One thing

I received my work ethic from my father, a hard-working man who, at 78 years of age goes into the office six days a week.  I believe work is important. I believe work honors God. But yesterday I realized that all my life I have worked for one purpose- acceptance; I wanted a father's approval. When performance becomes more important than purpose, priorities realign- a realignment that becomes cancerous. It is subtle, insidious and at enmity with the unit known as family. I have allowed it to come between me and my family.

I am a Martha who desperately wants to be a Mary, but this I know- I am accepted by God the Father. And tomorrow is a new day.

Wednesday, during faculty prayer, Bruce Corwin (Trinity's Principal), played a song by Misty Edwards. The song is written from God's perspective as He sings over us. The title-

'I Knew What I Was Getting Into'. Here is the link:

Teaching To The RMS

Root Mean Square

Digital 

Michael R. Carter

2011

In the Spring of 1974

a miracle occurred- I graduated from High School. It happened in spite of myself. My interest, my goal, my life was music- specifically, the band. I played a Farfisa Combo Compact with two Leslie 145's stacked (some of you reading this will actually know what that means). In my Senior year I played every weekend- teen clubs and skating rinks in two states. Life was good. Behind the band was a wall of amps- Marshall, Crate, Orange, Peavey. Quantity made up for quality. One thing we knew- the music had to be loud. When discussing amps, two things always came up- peak-to-peak and RMS. The first deals with an amplifier's potential. The second- the consistent average. Musicians are interested in the consistent average, the RMS.

In this moment, 37 years later, another miracle continues-

I teach High School.

God, in His infinite wisdom and humor, has called me to teach the very age I least enjoyed being. Now, thirty seven years later, I finally understand the difference between peak-to-peak and RMS. I am surrounded by students with uncharted potential, content with their RMS. I am surrounded by versions of my 1974 self, a person oblivious to potential, and I am concerned.  

May God give me strategies. 

Judy Racz

Creation Primordial Chaos
Oil on canvas
"I see the whole world as a holy place,
a reflection of the glory of an infinite, yet loving God."
Judy Racz


Inspiration is a curious thing; never sure of when it may 'show up', it is almost always welcome. Much like Jesus' descriptive language to Nicodemus in John 3, inspiration can be "like the wind." The word inspire is, after all,  from the Latin inspirare- to breathe upon or into. The works of Judy Racz inspire me.  


Here is a sample:

Gravity Waves

Mixed media on canvas

David and Jonathan Make a Pact

Oil on canvas

Transfiguration of Jesus

Oil on Canvas

Symphony No. 2, Gustav Mahler, Movement 3

Oil on canvas

Ayin

Oil on linen

Gimel

Oil on linen

Aleph

Oil on linen

To read about Judy Racz and view more of her work go to-

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~richard/racz.htm

and

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/judy_racz/

Capturing Moments

"Well, I suppose nothing is meant to last forever."

Vivian Maier

1926-2009

Unchecked, moments become days and, without notice, a decade seems but a moment. The Apostle James says that our lives are "just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" and with the vanishing, brilliance dims to obscurity. That was not to be for Vivian Maier. Her story is being heard and 'seen' around the world. Currently most of her work is owned by John Maloof, the man who purchased several boxes of negatives and prints from a storage auction in Chicago. In time her work will be displayed in major permanent collections. Vivian Maier captured moments for us, seemingly for just 'la joie de l'artisanat'- the joy of the craft.

I am grateful.

To find out more:

For an excellent story on Chicago Tonight, click here.

New Year

"The end of a matter is better than its beginning."

Ecclesiastes 7:8

"Let all souls praise God,

Halleluyah!"

The final verse in the final chapter of the Psalter

Psalm 150

"Far greater than the most sublime instrumental songs of praise is the song of the human soul. God's greatest praise is the soul that utilizes its full potential in His service."

Rabbi David Kimchi, known as RaDaK

1160-1235

Today begins the second decade of the Twenty-First Century. The first day of a new year is, for me, like early morning; anything is possible, hope renewed, a second chance. The first day is also a day of reflection. Where did the year go? How did I spend my time? 

According to a chart by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, the person who lives to be seventy-five possesses 39,420,000 minutes to spend. I have 10,500,000 left. 

A few of my 'minutes spent' are recorded here:

Sam and me in the studio recording Neon Fish

many years ago

Joshua and Sam recording on Sam's iPad
Christmas 2010

Our First Date

many years ago

A recent date

recently

This year came with three snowfalls, a rare occurrence for Fort Mill, South Carolina, and an opportunity for walks in the wood.

January

February

December

This year marked the beginning of my second year with Trinity Christian Preparatory School; an exhilarating chapter in the journey of life. 

Bruce Corwin and me

Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan's Purse

Charlotte, NC Facility

And a good day in Brazil-

Me and Tom Owen, 1992