More often than not, the outcome we create in our head is far worse than the actual outcome.

“We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” – Seneca

‘For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, '

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Banning more than just Books

Banning books in schools presents more significant problems than simply not adequately preparing students for college. A recent article in Inside Higher Ed highlights a few of the possible outcomes of banning books in high school, including lack of college readiness and a stifled passion for reading. The report focuses on the efforts of conservative groups to ban books that do not fit their conservative worldview, including books like Gender Queer: A Memoir or Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You.

While the topic presented is critically important to the future of our free society, the author falls short by making the discussion more about conservative politics than the banning of books. The reality is that both the far right (as noted in this article) and the far left have been busy banning books. Teachers in California, for example, were barred from using To Kill A Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and others in lesson plans in an effort to keep students from harm.

In context to education and a free society, the goal of this article should not be to point fingers or take sides but rather to be unified in the concept that banning books is generally a bad idea. History has shown this to be true. Words are not violence, and books are not triggers. We need to encourage students to read books of all perspectives. More importantly, we need to encourage students to read books that challenge what they think, to force them to explore their preconceived notions and ideas. Educators cannot do that if the very books they need to expand the minds of their students are not allowed in their curriculum. Further, sheltering students from the realities of the world by not allowing them to read conflicting or unpopular views will not prepare them for life. This problem is not a problem of left versus right or conservative versus liberal, this is a problem of freedom versus censorship and right versus wrong.

Is Gainful Employment the only Metric?

This linked article on the Biden Administration’s intent on bringing Obama’s Gainful Employment rule back into play for for-profit universities is fascinating. As a general rule, these universities have had a history of not making the gainful employment standard. This situation leaves students in debt and without the salary necessary to repay their debts. This problem also leaves taxpayers holding the debt when the students can’t repay it.

Protecting students is essential, without a doubt. Making sure that they get the education they pay for and then translate it into increased income is an integral part of that equation. However, this article overlooks some critical facts in discussing the details of the rule. For example, the article points out that the for-profit universities that this rule targets only account for “5 percent of students in higher education.” Given this minimal impact, I wonder if this rule is going far enough or possibly targeting the wrong group of educators with penalties.

Under the new legislation, “all institutions would have to report how their programs fare in comparisons of students' earnings with their debts, though the penalties would apply only to career programs and those offered at for-profit colleges.” If 95 percent of students attend non-profit public institutions, wouldn’t targeting those institutions be more impactful? Why target a fraction of the institutions accountable for helping students rack up debt.

I am a supporter of higher education in all forms. Colleges and universities have real value and provide students with much more than a simple debt to repay. Much of the value received by students is intangible. You cannot simply boil education down to the salary received by the student post-education. An educated population has a more significant benefit than simply higher salaries. This legislation tries to solve a problem by looking at one factor out of many. Doing so reduces the value of education to nothing more than dollars and cents.

A Prayer for Clarity

I’m always looking for helpful prayers and motivational tidbits for my students. I found this prayer today and thought many of my students might find it useful:

Lord Jesus, You have assured us that You are not the author of confusion. With confusion comes a lack of clarity, and with a lack of clarity, there is always a distraction and a feeling of hopelessness. Therefore, I ask You to make me sharp and quick-witted. Help me to focus and tease apart messy situations so that I can be of use to others and help resolve problems. In Your almighty name, I pray. Amen.

Maybe someone else could use some clarity as well.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. '

Matthew 7:7-8

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” ‭‭James‬ ‭2:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” '

Mark 10:45

‘Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. '

1 Peter 5:8

Today I am grateful for all the people in my life who care for me. I am very lucky to have a loving family, excellent parents, and many close friends. I know that this gives me a distinct advantage every day.

‘Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. '

Philippians 2:6-7

Today I am grateful for quiet time alone. Some days there is just nothing better than a little quiet time alone to read a good book, listen to some music, and relax.

‘Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? '

Job 38:36

‘I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. '

Philippians 4:12-13

Today I am grateful for warm socks. There is just nothing better than a pair of warm socks on a cold and rainy day. Warm feet are essential to success.

‘My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. '

1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Today I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity I have to teach others. My students are awesome, the course material is interesting and engaging, and I am finding new and exciting ways to bring the material current and make it even better. Teaching is the thing I have been looking for in my life for some time and all I want to do is be great at it.

‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

Romans 8:38-39

Today I am grateful for homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. My wife makes the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in the world. Seriously, without a doubt the best. Amazing when warm and right out of the oven, but equally awesome with a nice hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. There is just nothing better.