Peacemakers

“Blessed are the Peacemakers…”

We are not immune to an unjust and unrighteous society. We must endure the effects of a broken humanity that is consumed by a narcissistic personality with an insatiable appetite for more. Endurance comes from the field of battle and from the furnace of human connectedness, not from the seat of the cynic.

Our battle and the friction that we encounter is not necessarily with people, but the result of confrontations between principles, ideologies, and perceptions fought within the spirit of mankind.

We criticize because we do not understand; we do not understand because we listen to the wrong voice. We listen to the voice of anger, bitterness, hurt and pain. We listen searching for a reason to find fault and to place blame, rather than to bring healing and understanding. We listen to replace responsibility with abdication and dereliction of our human duty.

Our greatest problem is a lack of trust in the ultimate reality of a sovereign God. This is a trust that opens and closes doors of opportunity. It is a trust that brings conquered territory at the expense of obedience in the present reality.

“…for they shall be called sons of God.”

Blessings,

Elton O. Brooke, EdD

Be Still

Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10 - NASB)

Many versions use the phrase “be still” rather than “cease striving” but I’m not sure that they have different meanings. I fell prey to one of those finger puzzles when I was a kid. You know, the little tube made of straw woven together – you stick a finger from each hand into opposite ends. Pull as hard as you like, it’s almost impossible to pull your fingers out. If you relax and gently push your fingers together the puzzle slips off. So, “be still” or “cease striving,” they both mean the same thing.

Have you ever tried desperately to take control of a situation or solve a problem only to have a friend or mentor tell you to be still? It happens during prayer when we are really wrestling with something and we hear that quiet voice say “stop striving, be still, be quiet – I’ve got this.”

We tend to struggle with the sovereignty of God when we do not understand our circumstances, or we feel out of control. The message of these words brings us into a place of conflict because scripture indicates that we are to be people of action. But in certain circumstances we are to take no action other than to trust God.

So, how do we know the difference? If I can be still long enough to listen for God’s voice I imagine I will know…

During the upcoming holiday season, may we find ourselves in such a place where we must be quiet and listen. Only there will we find the meaning and purpose in life we so desperately long for.

Blessings, my human friends,

Elton O. Brooke, Ed. D.

Struggling for the Answer: The Place of Learning

While trying to be unobtrusive as I entered to observe a class, I heard the teacher respond to the query of a somewhat confused and perplexed 9^th grade student; “I want to you to struggle with it first, this is high school.” I quietly smiled to myself, understanding that the teacher was really saying, “If I give you the answer, you will learn nothing but the answer.”

Learning is more than discovering the answer, it is building knowledge and understanding. Ancient wisdom says: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Wisdom is the cognitive processing of experiences that leads to the proper application of the lessons learned. In other words, knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to use it in a smoothie.

It is tempting to provide the answer when someone is struggling with a problem. Whether we are teaching students in a classroom, helping our children with homework, or counseling someone in the office, it is important to allow the person to struggle with the issue. Learning only takes place when we meet a problem head-on and stubbornly wrestle until we understand the when, where, why, and how of the solution.

We need to experience the harshness of a battle and the suffering of defeat. The reality of life is that we do not always win. We WILL lose at some point in time. It is unrealistic to expect that we can create win-win solutions to all of life’s problems. In order to win, someone must lose, give up, surrender, or relinquish ownership of something that is of personal value. It is in the moment of defeat and loss that we learn some of the most valuable lessons.

And what are those valuable lessons? I am not going to tell you. I want you to struggle with it, or sit in the question. Besides, I really can’t give you the answer. What you take away may be entirely different than what I will learn. Learning is a shared human experience with uniquely different results.

The fact is that we are in this struggle together and need each other for support, guidance, and counsel. In many ways we are God’s plan “A” for one another and there is no plan “B”.

Stay connected my human friends...

Elton O. Brooke, Ed. D.

Developing a Vocabulary for Success

A good vocabulary is an essential element for life and learning. My father had an incredible passion for learning new words and he took every opportunity to instill that same passion in me as he helped me study my vocabulary words in grade school. I have vivid memories of him pronouncing the words backwards and I would have to spell them correctly. His goal was for me to know them so well that I could literally spell them backwards and forwards. If anything, it helped me create visual images of the words rather than having to memorize their correct spelling.

Words are important to us because they help us communicate in an articulate manner. Words help bring clarity to our thoughts and life to our ideas. The following are some words that are foundational to how we develop patterns of success.

·         Intention (noun): the thing that you plan to do or achieve; an aim or purpose.

·         Purpose (noun): the reason why something is done or used; the aim or intention of something; the feeling of being determined to do or achieve something; the aim or goal of a person; what a person is trying to do, become, etc.

·         Plan (noun): a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something; something that a person intends to do.

·         Goal (noun): something that you are trying to do or achieve.

·         Success (noun): the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame; the correct or desired result of an attempt; someone or something that is successful; a person or thing that succeeds. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary)

Live with intention and purpose. Make a plan for your life and establish goals that will place you on the path to success. If not, life is lived from one purposeless event to another. There are no plans or goals. We merely exist waiting for something to happen. Would it not be better to live with intention and purpose?

There is a better way to live described as:

·         Coram Deo: Living Coram Deo is to live one’s life entire in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the Glory of God. To live all of life Coram Deo is to live a life of integrity. It is a life of wholeness that finds its unity and coherency in the majesty of God. (http://www.ligonier.org)

Praying that we impact our students in such a way that they live life entirely in the presence of God.

Oed Maroc,

Elton O. Brooke, Ed. D.

Passing the Test but Failing to Learn

The professor entered our classroom on the first day of class and began lecturing as he walked between the rows of chairs. He introduced himself and stated that there would be two tests in the class; one over the first half of the text book and one over the second half. Material from his lectures would also be on the tests, so we better take copious notes.

I partnered with a friend (Steve) to study for the tests. About two weeks out from the first exam, we created lists of items from the first half of the text and compiled lists of important topics from the lecture notes. This is when I discovered the power of note cards as a study tool. Steve and I created acronyms, lists, and questions of everything we could imagine that would be on the test. We quizzed each other for days, and stayed up all night before the test. When 7:30 a.m. rolled around, we were already seated in the class and ready for the test. We were usually the first ones finished with the test – which we aced with no problem!

Here is the sad part; I don’t remember the name of the course or anything on the tests. I only remember the process of memorizing information to get an “A” in the course.

What did I learn? Techniques to memorize material? Absolutely! But where was the critical thinking and interaction with the content of the course? How did I cognitively connect information with practical application? Or, was the purpose of the course to be impressed with the professor’s knowledge and his gracious sharing with the unlearned. I’m sorry, what was the question?

The past 25 years in education have left an indelible mark on my life. Learning is more than education and assessments. It goes deep into the soul of the person and changes their perspective of the world and their place and purpose in life. Here are 5 things that I have “learned” from my experiences.

1.      The issue is not unanswered questions; the issue is unquestioned answers. Learning is more than discovering the correct answer, it is discovering truth. We may miss the truth if all we are seeking is the correct answer. Asking questions provokes critical thinking more so than merely providing answers. Questions can be threatening to the person who can only provide answers.

2.      Learning is both a shared spiritual and deeply personal pilgrimage – it’s not something I give “to” students – it’s something I “do” with them. Gone are the days, at least they should be waning, where the teacher is the keeper of all knowledge. Learning is the sharing of thoughts and the exchange of ideas and concepts, and the freedom to be wrong within the safe environment of a learning community.

3.      Yes, unequivocally, learning involves the mastering of information; students must know certain content before they can move to the next level. The basics of math and grammar must be grasped so that higher order thinking processes develop. The what (content) should lead to discovery of the why and how of understanding and application.

4.      We have been raising an isolated generation since the advent of Walkman Radios and headphones. Now we have a generation raised on IPhones and IPads with ear buds and blue tooth devices. The electronics are more advanced, but people are still isolated from humanity. We must open their hearts before we open their minds.

5.      We learn lessons from the school of suffering that we can learn in no other way. Learning and change are inextricably linked to the reality of human suffering.

We live in an educational environment where learning is defined by assessment scores and academic benchmarks. Both of these are good, but learning is more than percentages and numeric averages. It is possible to pass the test and fail to learn what is truly meaningful and necessary in life.

Experience: that most brutal of teachers, but you learn, my God do you learn.

(C. S. Lewis)

Continually learning…

Elton O. Brooke, Ed. D.

The Forge of Adversity

A few nights ago most of America witnessed an unforgettable moment in the history of baseball. Derek Jeter was at the plate for what would be his last at bat of his professional baseball career and smashed a walk-off game winning RBI single. It didn’t matter that the Yankees were already eliminated from the playoffs. He gave his fans what they came to see; ultimate achievement in the face of adversity.

The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything and wish you would have worked harder. (Derek Jeter)

Moments like these don’t just happen because of some mystical alignment of a constellation or childish superstition. They happen because the person has spent a lifetime training and preparing for such a defining challenge. Adversity is often the forge of character, hope, and faith.

Two of the most important questions that we can ask ourselves and our students are:

1. Where are you now?
2. Where do you want to go?

As we process the answers to these questions, we also need to take a more introspective look; is what I am currently doing helping me move closer to my goal; if not, what am I willing to change in order to move?

Life is all about change in the face of adversity. Failure to change is often a failure to grow and learn. Change is the result of an inward glance at our soul in light of our perception of life’s current circumstances; it is our perception of reality that defines our perception of truth. But our perceptions are not always true.

A true and righteous learning experience is sometimes adversarial in that it forces us to examine our greatest fear – that we may be wrong. Unless we walk through the fiery furnace of life with a tenacious spirit we will remain stuck in our fear and become stagnant in our faith.

If we fail to take this personal journey and face the giants in our own lives, how can we hope to see our students make the shifts necessary to prepare them for their future? May we step into the batter's box with a quiet confidence and swing with purpose and intention so that we leave the next generation an example of unwavering faith in the ultimate truth of the reality of a living and vibrant God.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

Stand strong, my human friends...

Missing the Mark

Let me begin by saying that this posting comes from a question posed to me by a friend and colleague. Knowing that Donna and I enjoy archery, he asked that if the word “sin” is defined in archery terms as “missing the mark,” what meaning could I extrapolate from this interpretation. This may not have been the exact conversation, but it is what I took away from the brief chat. So, here are my thoughts…

I found the following while doing a search for the Greek and Hebrew words for “sin”:

Thayer's Greek Lexicon - STRONGS NT 266: ἁμαρτία

 ἁμαρτία, (ας, ἡ (from 2 aorist ἁμαρτεῖν, as ἀποτυχία from ἀποτύχειν), a failing to hit the mark (see ἁμαρτάνω. In Greek writings (from Aeschylus and Thucydides down). 1st, an error of the understanding (cf. Ackermann, Das Christl. im Plato, p. 59 Anm. 3 (English translation (S. R. Asbury, 1861), p. 57 n. 99)). 2nd, a bad action, evil deed. In the N. T. always in an ethical sense…

The key things that stand out in this definition are: failing to hit the mark; an error of the understanding; a bad action, evil deed; always in an ethical sense. I am sure there are many other words and concepts used in Scripture to describe and define “sin,” but for the purposes of answering the question, I am only going to address it from “missing the mark.”

The ultimate goal in 3D archery (which is the one I am most familiar with) is to hit a small 12-point circle within in the 10-point ring. The 10-point ring is about 6” in diameter and the 12-point circle is about the size of a .50 piece. In some competitions, that small circle is worth 14 points. It is located outside of the 10-point circle. If you miss it, you get 5 points – high risk vs high reward.

The serious shooter will invest a great deal of time and money trying to master the ring. Archers shoot from a variety of distances; some target distances are known and some are unknown. The terrain changes from flat and level, to uphill or downhill. The position of the targets challenges the archer’s ability to adapt to varying light conditions. Everything is done to test the skills and abilities of the archer to focus on a small circle that represents a kill shot.

What? Did you think that archery was an antiseptic and clean sport? Archery represents one of the oldest forms of survival; kill so that you can eat; kill or be killed.

To master archery, one must first master themselves.

Muscle strength and control, matching arrow length and weight to bow draw length and draw weight, tuning the bow properly, maintaining proper anchor position, breathing technique, balance and form, focused and clear mind, and a slow and steady arrow release without thinking about releasing the arrow, and did I mention the cardinal rule of remaining relaxed?

In some tournaments the target is made of metal. The center area is left open. The goal is to shoot an arrow through the open area. Arrows that miss and hit the metal target are destroyed on impact. Thanks, I’ll stick with the 3D foam targets!

When I fail and miss the target in archery, I lose points and once in a while I lose an arrow. I miss the goal of making a perfect score of 200. If I’m good enough to hit a few 12-point circles, I have the potential to make up for a few bad shots, or possibly score even more than 200 points.

When I fail and miss the mark in life, I lose in a different way. I cause pain and suffering to myself and others, and I hurt the heart of God. It is far more costly than a few points and broken arrows. My selfish pride causes my spirit to fragment and splinter upon the anvil of God’s truth when I miss His purpose and plan.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians to think about how they lived their lives in the following quote from Ephesians 4:17-24:

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

May our aim be true and our focus centered on Christ: “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13, 14)

Blessings, my human friends.

P. S. Thank you, Scott! “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)