On dumb tee shirts: Smart girls do their own homework
As a parent, I think I have just about had it up to my neck with attitude tees for girls. Sassy sayings on shirts are popular at all sorts of clothing stores, from trendy boutiques to the most long-standing department stores.
Now J.C. Penney has stepped in it.
The old-school retailer really put its proverbial foot in it, offering a tee shirt
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Friday, September 2, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Getting Ready
I went up to Oxford, Ohio today to meet with one of our Habitat Partner Families. If you don't know, Oxford is the home of Miami University. It is a small college town that most likely would not exist without the college.
As we drove through the Miami campus, there was a real sense of anticipation. Very soon the campus will be bustling with students as the fall term begins. I realized as we drove through the small downtown business district that was practically a ghost town today will in less than two weeks be bustling with cars and people. Everywhere I looked there were signs that University employees and the city itself were preparing for a new year full of promise.
I invite you to join me in praying for all of our college students as they prepare to begin another year of school. Some are just beginning. Some are looking forward to a final year and then onto the world of employment (if they can find jobs in this stagnant economy). Wherever students find themselves, I hope and pray that God will help them to learn, to grow, and to be who God created them to be.
Thank you for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!
As we drove through the Miami campus, there was a real sense of anticipation. Very soon the campus will be bustling with students as the fall term begins. I realized as we drove through the small downtown business district that was practically a ghost town today will in less than two weeks be bustling with cars and people. Everywhere I looked there were signs that University employees and the city itself were preparing for a new year full of promise.
I invite you to join me in praying for all of our college students as they prepare to begin another year of school. Some are just beginning. Some are looking forward to a final year and then onto the world of employment (if they can find jobs in this stagnant economy). Wherever students find themselves, I hope and pray that God will help them to learn, to grow, and to be who God created them to be.
Thank you for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
No Free Houses
I had a meeting today in Lebanon, Ohio. We were meeting with a Partner Family whose house will begin construction on Saturday. We met at the McDonald's in Lebanon. When I first walked into the McDonald's, a man who was sitting there drinking coffee must have seen my Habitat for Humanity shirt. He asked me, "Would you build a free house for me?"
Well, when I heard this man's question, I stepped closer to him and decided to use this as a teaching moment. In fact, I really love it when I get to do this because I get to talk about the mission and ministry of Habitat for Humanity. I shared with the man that we do not give away free houses. I told him that our families have mortgage payments. I also told him that they have to complete 500 volunteer hours along with take classes in personal finances, home ownership, and home maintenance. I went onto say that Habitat is not a hand out program but a hand up out of poverty.
I think I overwhelmed the man with the information I was sharing with him about Habitat. He seemed to be somewhat taken aback. He sheepishly responded "Well, I thought that's what [Habitat] did. I thought you give away free houses." I reiterated to the man that Habitat is not a giveaway program. He smiled at me and then I walked away.
On my drive home from Lebanon, I thought about my experience with that man at McDonald's. I wondered what he thought about what I said. I wondered if he had a better idea of what Habitat does and what we are about. I wondered if he went home and told his family or his friends about Habitat. I wondered if maybe he spent some time on Habitat website learning even more about Habitat. I wondered if he might one day even consider volunteering for Habitat and joining us in giving families a hand up out of substandard housing.
Who knows? I hope and pray that God planted some seeds in this man's heart. I am glad that God allowed our paths to cross.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!
Well, when I heard this man's question, I stepped closer to him and decided to use this as a teaching moment. In fact, I really love it when I get to do this because I get to talk about the mission and ministry of Habitat for Humanity. I shared with the man that we do not give away free houses. I told him that our families have mortgage payments. I also told him that they have to complete 500 volunteer hours along with take classes in personal finances, home ownership, and home maintenance. I went onto say that Habitat is not a hand out program but a hand up out of poverty.
I think I overwhelmed the man with the information I was sharing with him about Habitat. He seemed to be somewhat taken aback. He sheepishly responded "Well, I thought that's what [Habitat] did. I thought you give away free houses." I reiterated to the man that Habitat is not a giveaway program. He smiled at me and then I walked away.
On my drive home from Lebanon, I thought about my experience with that man at McDonald's. I wondered what he thought about what I said. I wondered if he had a better idea of what Habitat does and what we are about. I wondered if he went home and told his family or his friends about Habitat. I wondered if maybe he spent some time on Habitat website learning even more about Habitat. I wondered if he might one day even consider volunteering for Habitat and joining us in giving families a hand up out of substandard housing.
Who knows? I hope and pray that God planted some seeds in this man's heart. I am glad that God allowed our paths to cross.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Happy Birthday to the Happy Birthday Songstress
Happy Birthday to the Happy Birthday Songstress
Happy birthday to you.Happy birthday to you.Happy birthday, dear special one.Happy birthday to you!
Kentucky kindergarten and Sunday school teacher Mildred J. Hill composed this familiar ditty in the late 19th century. Originally, she tagged the tune as “Good Morning to All.”
Her younger sister Patty, who also taught kindergarten, helped with the “
Happy birthday to you.Happy birthday to you.Happy birthday, dear special one.Happy birthday to you!
Kentucky kindergarten and Sunday school teacher Mildred J. Hill composed this familiar ditty in the late 19th century. Originally, she tagged the tune as “Good Morning to All.”
Her younger sister Patty, who also taught kindergarten, helped with the “
Sunday, May 22, 2011
A Call to Ministry
Today we had a guest speaker at my church. Alesia Smith is the Principal of Rothenberg Preparatory Academy in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. If you don't know, the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is considered a high-crime neighborhood and many of its residents live below the poverty line. While there is some redevelopment taking place in Over-the-Rhine, it is in many ways a very under served neighborhood. Many people in the Cincinnati would be afraid to travel to Over-the-Rhine out of fear of the crime that takes place there. I have been to Over-the-Rhine and while there are certainly signs of urban decay but there are also some really wonderful things about Over-the-Rhine. It has a rich history and some beautiful architecture. Also, one of the things that I have learned over the years is that no matter where you go, people are people.
Principal Smith challenged my congregation to pray for Rothenberg Academy. She also called us to pray about what we might do. She said that they don't need money. What they need is time. They need people to spend time with their students. They need mentors and prayer partners and after-school program leaders. They need people to be present.
Principal Smith's challenge spoke to my heart. I'm not sure what God is calling me to do. I don't have to make any decisions now since school is almost done for the summer. However, in the fall, my church is asking for 35 volunteers to serve as mentors for the second graders. I am going to pray about this. I have served as a mentor in the past and really enjoyed it. I know that it would be really rewarding and I would learn much.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!
Principal Smith challenged my congregation to pray for Rothenberg Academy. She also called us to pray about what we might do. She said that they don't need money. What they need is time. They need people to spend time with their students. They need mentors and prayer partners and after-school program leaders. They need people to be present.
Principal Smith's challenge spoke to my heart. I'm not sure what God is calling me to do. I don't have to make any decisions now since school is almost done for the summer. However, in the fall, my church is asking for 35 volunteers to serve as mentors for the second graders. I am going to pray about this. I have served as a mentor in the past and really enjoyed it. I know that it would be really rewarding and I would learn much.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Fascinating History
I have been watching through my Netflix subscription a BBC series on the English monarchy entitled Monarchy. It starts with the very beginnings of the concept of the English monarchy and covers each successive monarch. While I consider myself a bit of an Anglo-phial, I am learning a lot of new things by watching this series. It's really more of a lecture series than a television series. The same scholar hosts the entire series and he is the only voice that it heard. I didn't think he would keep my attention but he does a pretty good job. He reads from original texts and gives a lot of behind the scenes tidbits.
One thing I will say about the English monarchs, they were definitely not saints. They were corrupt and power hungry. Even the kings who were considered good leaders were also ruthless and ruled with an iron fist. They were also involved in more scandals than Jerry Springer could ever come up with. They were conniving and deceitful and down right mean.
One of the points that the series tries to make is that English monarchs were different from the beginning. They did not embrace the ideal of unquestionable supreme ruler in the same way that other monarchs did in Europe. They instead had to deal with the English people who often rebelled and kept their rulers' power in check. The successful kings and queens figured out a way to win popular support and use it to maintain their power.
I'm sure there are lessons for leadership in all of this. I certainly agree with Shakespeare when he wrote "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."
I hope you have a great weekend. Busy Saturday ahead for me. I'm attending a wall raising service in Oxford, Ohio in the morning and then a wedding and reception in the afternoon. Thanks for being a part of my journey!
One thing I will say about the English monarchs, they were definitely not saints. They were corrupt and power hungry. Even the kings who were considered good leaders were also ruthless and ruled with an iron fist. They were also involved in more scandals than Jerry Springer could ever come up with. They were conniving and deceitful and down right mean.
One of the points that the series tries to make is that English monarchs were different from the beginning. They did not embrace the ideal of unquestionable supreme ruler in the same way that other monarchs did in Europe. They instead had to deal with the English people who often rebelled and kept their rulers' power in check. The successful kings and queens figured out a way to win popular support and use it to maintain their power.
I'm sure there are lessons for leadership in all of this. I certainly agree with Shakespeare when he wrote "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."
I hope you have a great weekend. Busy Saturday ahead for me. I'm attending a wall raising service in Oxford, Ohio in the morning and then a wedding and reception in the afternoon. Thanks for being a part of my journey!