Confused about Common Core?

Image from larrycuban.wordpress.com

You may have heard about it. 

There are those that are telling us Common Core will unilaterally usher in a one-world government, map the brains of our children, and lead to Barack Obama’s re-election for a third term… potentially as the King of the aforementioned one-world government, I assume.

Those on the other side of the spectrum would have us believe that Common Core is a natural, good, healthy progression.  They argue this adaptation is a necessary thing… but quite honestly, me thinks they often protest (or in this case, promote), too much.  When politicos get that toothy grin and say “Everything is going to be fine.  Really.  Just trust us.”  Yeah, no thanks.

So what is Common Core?  Where did it come from and what’s it doing in our schools?

Wait, what you ask?  But yes, that’s right… many states are already using Common Core standards.   And for several years now.  In my home state of Pennsylvania – despite many, vast reports to the contrary – Common Core is, on the whole, actually raising the bar for our students in both Math and English.

And that’s what Common Core is – at least at the moment - merely a set of standards for Math and English.  It is not a mandated curriculum.  The Common Core standards we have in place provide the destination, but still give individual states and school districts the ability to determine their own curriculum however they choose in order to arrive at that destination.

So, is Common Core, in its current form, really a bad thing?

One could argue no, it’s not.  They’re just standards.  And that’d be true. 

One could also argue yes, they are.  They’re now tied to federal funding and the Feds have no business in the education of our children.  And that’d be true, too.

What’s a concerned parent to think?!

First off, don’t panic.  Irrational thought and actions are what led to both sides writing off the other as completely irrelevant in this discussion.

Our students need standards.  In fact, they need higher standards.  What we have now for Common Core Math and English standards, at least in Pennsylvania, I can live with.  And I think most of us probably can.

Image from trojantribune.com

But that doesn't mean I like the Common Core standards.  And here’s why…

It’s true… there’s no nationalized testing.  There’s no centralized computer where all of your children’s information will be held or data mined.  We don’t have a state book list mandating what our children must read.  We don’t.  We really don’t.

The thing is personally, I just don’t trust the government.  Yeah, they didn’t have anything to do with the creation of the Math and English standards – though they did offer a nice chuck of change to any states that adopted them.

But if we give the federal government an inch, it will take a mile.  If we haven’t yet learned this as a people and a nation, all hope for America may indeed be lost.

There’s not a set of nationalized standards today, but what about tomorrow? 

What happens when testing is standardized across the board to match the Common Core standards?  And if non-traditional students aren’t following the Common Core standards, how will their test scores be affected as a result?  Will their college chances suffer subsequently?    

What happens when suddenly states have all their students' info computerized?  Are you REALLY going to sit there and tell me the federal government isn’t going to try to obtain that data?

What happens when students in one state aren’t measuring up on the Common Core testing scores of another state?  Will there be calls for nationalized curriculum?

What happens when, in states like Pennsylvania, we like the Math and English standards, but our Dept. of Ed. doesn’t want to implement the Science, History, or Social Studies standards?  Won't we be tempted to adopt them down the road if the Feds offer more money? 

What happens in states that are already over-budget and under-water when it comes to the financial side of implementation?  We know standardized testing WILL be changing to computerized versions.  Is that really going to cost us $0 as taxpayers?  Really?  A government program that costs nothing?  C'mon...

Image from edreach.us

If you sit down with educators or curriculum writers, the simple fact is, they don’t know – and thus, we don’t know - the answers to these questions.

That said, are the Common Core standards we currently implement for math and English inherently evil?  No.  I’m sorry if you disagree, but they’re just not.

BUT, could allowing these standards be the first step down a very slippery slope into the unknown?  Yes.  Is that a gamble you’re willing to take with your child’s future and education?  Personally, I’m not.

What IS cool about Common Core is that all the discussion of standards is causing parents nationwide to actually look at what their kids are learning.  Across the country, parents are wondering what and if their children are learning... and subsequently, they're complaining about the lack of substance in educational materials, and blaming it on Common Core.  But is it really Common Core's fault?  Could it be that parents - as a whole - just never really knew what their kids were or weren't being taught?  

Our public schools don't exactly have a shining record for producing great students... before OR after Common Core.  Maybe consider private school.  Or, you could move to Texas.  Or, you could be really, really brave and go the homeschool route.  But I digress... 

The bottom line is, we know very little about Common Core or where it may take us.  We have more questions than answers.

In essence, when it comes to Common Core, the proponents are saying it's no big deal, they're just standards - or in other words, “What difference does it make?”  Where I would ask, “Can’t we read the bill before we pass it?”

(And yes, I know Common Core wasn’t legislated and it’s not a “bill” of any kind – most legislators didn’t even know it existed until recently – but just humor me.  You get the point.  ;-) )

This is the future of our children and our country we're talking about.  And if we don't ask questions, we won't get answers.  So what do you think?  Should it be #StopCommonCore or #StopAnyMoreCommonCore?

You Might Be A Liberal...

The siblings and I had fun making this one... enjoy!  

#YouMightBeALiberal

He is risen, just as He said...

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

Amen.

 ~Matthew 28~

Abbott, Costello, and Unemployment Numbers

Can't take credit for this one... but enjoyed it so much, I'm venturing into new territory and posting an email forward on my site.  Kudos to original author.  Enjoy!

If Abbott and Costello talked unemployment...

COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.

ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 7.8%.

COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT: No, that's 14.7%.

COSTELLO: You just said 7.8%.

ABBOTT: 7.8% Unemployed.

COSTELLO: Right 7.8% out of work.

ABBOTT: No, that's 14.7%.

COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 14.7% unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, that's 7.8%.

COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 7.8% or 14.7%?

ABBOTT: 7.8% are unemployed. 14.7% are out of work.

COSTELLO: IF you are out of work you are unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, Obama said you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.

COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!

ABBOTT: No, you miss his point.

COSTELLO: What point?

ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.

COSTELLO: To whom?

ABBOTT: The unemployed.

COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.

ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work gave up looking and if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.

COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles that would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!

COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?

ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how the current administration gets it to 7.8%. Otherwise it would be 14.7%. Our govt. doesn't want you to read about 14.7% unemployment.

COSTELLO: That would be tough on those running for reelection.

ABBOTT: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number?

ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.

COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?

ABBOTT: Correct.

COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?

ABBOTT: Bingo.

COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to have administration supporters stop looking for work.

ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like the Economy Czar.

COSTELLO: I don't even know what the heck I just said!

And that about sums it up, folks!

Bold Christianity & the Sanctity of Marriage

There are a lot of people re-hashing Reagan's theme that it's a time for bold colors - not pale pastels - when it comes to conservatives, Republicans, and politics in general.  And I agree with them.

I also believe it's time for bold colors in Christianity.  Why is it that we've become afraid to speak up for what we believe?  Everyone else does.  Time we do, too!

Indeed, if Christians say we believe what the Bible says, but then turn around and act like the Bible is irrelevant to our culture and daily lives... we put God into a box and stick Him on a shelf until it's convenient to pull Him out.  (Like when Easter and Christmas roll around.)  When this happens, relationship is abandoned for religion... and religion, literally, means bondage.  But Christianity isn't about religion.  It's about a relationship.  A relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  As Christians, we don't represent a religion.  We represent God and His ways to the world.  We are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), and it is our duty to speak His truth.

It's time to answer this question: is the Bible true, or isn't it?  Who gets to decide which portions of Scripture are relevant to our lives and which are not?

American kids grow up in churches that preach from the Bible on Sunday, but then turn around and tell them the Bible is wrong when it comes to say... creation...  sin... sexual relations...  And if the Bible is wrong about these things, what else is it wrong about?  Why not just get rid of it altogether?

Our society is teetering dangerously close to an entirely morally relativistic society.  Nothing is wrong, nothing is right and every man should be able to do whatever is right in his own eyes.

We hear a lot these days about tolerance and acceptance.  Seems everything and anything is tolerated and acceptable.  Everything that is, except a Biblical, Christian worldview.

Creationism is scoffed.  Abstinence until marriage is ridiculed.  Abortion has become acceptable.  Alternate lifestyles are encouraged.

Then there's that issue both unbelievers AND believers seem to have a hard time comprehending at this point in our nation's history: God doesn't approve of homosexual relations.  

Yup, I said it.  And no, I'm not going to apologize for God.  His world, His rules.  If you don't like it, take it up with Him.  (Think it's not in your Bible?  See account of Sodom & Gomorrah, Romans 1:21-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.)

That said, God loves everyone - including those who practice homosexuality.

As Christians, maybe it's time we start being like God?  After all, isn't that what Christianity is all about?

We can love those who choose to practice homosexuality without accepting (or encouraging) their actions - actions which God calls sin.  Love the sinner, reject the sin.  That's what Jesus did.

There's an old saying you may have heard, "Marriage is an honorable institution, instituted by God."

Marriage was God's idea.  And as another saying goes, "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."  Nevertheless, the movement to legalize gay marriage has taken America by storm and is currently being argued in our Supreme Court.

When did we forget that God created men and women different?  God intended for men and women to marry and raise families.  When a society rejects God's plans for marriage and the family, that society will self-destruct.  (Consider the falls of both Rome and Greece following their widespread national acceptance of homosexuality.)  If we look at the facts, while gay marriage provides no benefit to society... it will actually hurt society.

I'm tired of a roll-over-and-play-dead Christianity that seeks to pacify culture but ends up damaging our country in the long run!  I'm tired of a Christianity that sacrifices its principles on the altar of popularity, its virtue for votes, and its faith for a few fleeting moments of fame.

When culture and Christ conflict, Christians must choose God rather than man.  Because if God isn't Lord of all, is He really Lord at all?  If Christians would be on God's side, we will not be on the side of gay marriage.

But say that doesn't matter to you.  Say God's way isn't good enough or you don't agree with Him or you think Bible thumpers are just plain crazy and want to ruin other people's lives...

What about logic?  If we "redefine" marriage, what does it become?  Should polygamy be legal?  If a plurality of people "love" each other, should they be able to marry?  What about incest?  What if those parties "love" each other?  Should they too, be able to marry?  Should those under the age of 18 be able to marry for "love"?  If marriage is simple about rights for people who "love" each other, why would there be any laws regarding marriage whatsoever?

Marriage - as created by God - is a pillar of society.  God created the family unit to be Dad, Mom and kids. It's a fact, children do best when there's a dad AND a mom in the house.  Why?  That's how God made this thing called "family" to work.

But I know, you don't think God should have any say in this.  Alright then.  What about the American way... the American way of religious freedom?

Indeed, "If marriage is redefined, it will literally cripple religious freedom in America."  So said Eric Metaxas, author of the New York Times bestseller Bonhoeffer, in an incredible speech at CPAC 2013.

If you think gay marriage won't affect you, if you think Americans should live, let live and just let anyone marry because it's no big deal... think again.  Gay marriage is not only an affront to God and the Church.  It is also a threat to religious freedom in America.  Watch this clip of Eric Metaxas for more on this:

The truth is simple: marriage is not something that can be redefined.  

Like it or not, marriage was created by God as an institution between one man and one woman.  Marriage is sacred, America.  Let's keep it that way.

Stand with the Romeike Family

It's an incredible story... a young family flees Germany for the freedom to homeschool their children. They find asylum in the United States - the first family to be granted asylum for persecution resulting from the desire to homeschool.  It's groundbreaking.  It's courageous.  It's... AMERICAN.

Then, more than three years after this family integrated into our culture and built a home for themselves in Tennessee, US immigration decided to re-open their case and seek their deportation.

As a high school homeschool graduate with many family and friends who are (or were) also homeschooled, I am outraged by this action on the part of ICE.  But it's more than personal.

This is about America.  As Glenn Beck said yesterday, "If you believe in individual freedom... this is an extraordinarily important case."

To their great credit, the Home School Legal Defense Association is championing the cause of this young family.  PLEASE, join HSLDA, homeschoolers, and freedom-loving Americans across our great nation in standing with the Romeike family!

Read more information on this case and sign the White House petition to grant the Romeike's permanent legal status and end the threat of deportation... and while you're at it, please keep this brave family in your prayers, as well.

CPAC 2013

This past weekend, I attended my first ever Conservative Political Action Conference.  I have no idea how it took me 28 years to discover this phenomenal gathering that thrills the soul of a freedom-loving conservative political junkie, but discover it, I did!

In one word?  CPAC = incredible.

I could only attend on Saturday, but what a day it was.  Ran into old friends - one of whom I last saw on a trip to Taiwan - and met some truly remarkable people.

The speeches were amazing.  Favorites?  Dr. Ben Carson.  Eric Metaxas.  Gov. Sarah Palin.  Dinesh D'Souza.  Sen. Ted Cruz.  (Honorable mention to Steven Crowder for being a fabulous MC.)

While Dr. Carson's virtual declaration that he'll run for President in 2016 thrilled the audience, undoubtedly the most crowd-pleasing moment was when Gov. Sarah Palin whipped out a Big Gulp and took a few sips.  Thunderous applause.  Thunderous.

As far as controversy and division among conservatives goes... well, I didn't see it.  I don't know where it was hiding, but if CPAC was supposed to be a demonstration of how divided the right is... that didn't happen.  These people were energized and ready to fight - together - for America.

But what I loved most about CPAC was the sheer number of young Americans represented in Washington, DC that day.  The numbers were perhaps best represented in the straw poll results.  52% of voters in the CPAC poll were between the ages of 18 and 25.  Now consider that 48% of all votes went to Senator Rand Paul and Senator Marco Rubio.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  These two guys have clearly energized the youth on the right. If the GOP plans to win the youth vote, we need look no further...

A revitalized Republican Party is possible.  And I believe it's happening.  Indeed, the light shines brightest when the night is darkest.

So, if you're an American-loving conservative, get yourself to CPAC next year.  I guarantee you'll love it.

Chris & Dana Loesch

Congressman Allen West

Senator Ted Cruz

Blast from the past

A blast from the past... chatting with Sean Hannity last fall about my book... and surviving holidays with liberal relatives.

Enjoy!

And... just for fun... my all time favorite tweet...

Taxation without Representation

It's the "motto" on District of Columbia's license plates.  

In fact, this is the plate on President Obama's limousine:

Problem... or appropriate?
Here's what I think:

Oh, and PS... the District of Columbia will not allow the word 
"FREEDOM" to be listed on a vanity license plate.

History Channel's "The Bible" Greatly Differs From the Actual Bible

Ready for a Hollywoodized, selective series on God’s Holy Word that glorifies the characters’ struggles and victories while taking away from God’s Sovereignty? Then the History Channel’s “The Bible” is for you.

But if you prefer true-to-the-text narrative, you may want to consider passing.

On Sunday evening, “The Bible” debuted the first installment of a five-part series that will be airing over the next month on History. The first episode appeared to be accepted well across the board, but I personally was greatly alarmed.

I was initially excited when I saw previews for the series, and realized that the directors—Mark Burnett and Roma Downey—would take a few liberties to make the series come together smoothly, altering the text slightly to make it “fit the story” they wanted to tell. Regrettably, they went above and beyond slightly altering the text.

Not only was the acting cheesy at moments with many awkward scenes (the overall production dwarfed in comparison to Charlton Heston’s 1956 “The Ten Commandments,” which also Hollywoodized the story of Moses to some degree, but has stood the test of time as a classic), but the script literally altered the Word of God.

Last time I checked, that’s blasphemy, and that’s serious.

Galatians 1:6-9 warns that those who change the gospel will be accursed and Revelations goes on to note the severity of changing God’s Word:

"For I testify unto everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, and from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18-19, KJV)."

Anyone familiar with Answers in Genesis realizes that the gospel is written throughout the entire Bible, not just in the four books dubbed “the Gospels.” Therefore, to change any part of the Bible is to change the Gospel.

As far as being selective, “The Bible” did have a ten-hour time frame, but skipping over the destruction of homosexual cities Sodom and Gomorrah was obviously a well-thought out route. But what about Joseph? The series jumps right from Abraham almost sacrificing his son Isaac to the Israelites being captive in Egypt.

In the above scene, Abraham misses when swinging his knife down and turns to see an angel walk away after calling out Abrahams name in the distance before a lamb is spotted standing by a bush. Let’s review the biblical account:

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

“And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

“Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

“And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

“And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son (Gen. 22:1-13, KJV).”

Rather than conversing with Abraham, the angel merely shouts his name in the film – clarifying nothing. The angel did not tell him to not lay his hand upon his son and the ram stuck in the bushes turned out to be a little lamb just standing by a bush. A small discrepancy? Maybe, but the series is filled with them.

Later, when Moses meets God at the burning bush, God does not tell him to take off his sandals for he is standing on holy ground. Why not? Is God not holy? And the film completely skips over when the Lord turns Moses’ staff into a serpent as a miracle to show Pharaoh. Was the God of the Old Testament not capable of also performing miracles?

The story of David, which is to air next week (I was able to view the upcoming episodes with “press” access) is especially altered. Rather than Goliath coming forty days, he walks out of the crowd and calls out for someone to fight him—just one time. And in the film, Jonathan pipes up that somebody should fight him (that’s not in the Bible) before David quietly suggests in the background “I’ll do it.”

David then drops the shield Saul suggested he take and scoops down to pick up a few rocks (rather than fetching them from a stream, as the Bible records). Then David and Goliath have a conversation completely different from what the Bible records and David slays the giant.

The whole ordeal takes about five minutes, rather than building up over forty days with Goliath regularly mocking the Israelites. Again, maybe that’s only a small difference.

But changing the words of Jesus Christ himself?

(Spoiler Alert: The footage below has not yet been aired on TV.)

In the above video, Jesus walks into the water, asks Peter for help into his boat and goes on to help him pull in a few nets half full of fish. Wait, what?

Here’s the Bible’s account:

“And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

“And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

“And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

“For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

“And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him (Luke 5:1-11, KJV).”

The film skips over Peter telling the Lord that he is a sinner. Was Peter not a sinner? Are we not all sinners that must confess our sins and be saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again?

In the series, Peter asks Jesus what they are going to do. To which Christ replies, “Change the world,” followed by the two looking out over the sea with dramatic music.

That’s changing the words of Christ, as the series does throughout—denying the holiness of God in the case of Moses and not acknowledging that the disciples came to realize they were sinners in the case of Peter.

Please don’t choose to watch or not watch “The Bible” based on what I have written, but on what your convictions are based on what the actual Word of God says. Check the biblical accounts—do not take the word of Hollywood, such is a watered down gospel that, dare I say, is accursed.

-Guest post by Jon Heath