Isaac is taking the next step in his jiu-jitsu journey.
He’s been chosen to join a new leadership team at Elevated Studios. The older youth now have a vehicle for becoming mentors to the younger kids.
Leadership
No Banned Books
There are no banned books. Between libraries, new and used book stores, personal collections, little free libraries, ebay, Amazon, and a million other sources, there is no book on the “banned” list that isn’t readily available anywhere in the U.S.
We even have a full week where these books are celebrated and shared widely.
The only controversy is over “public” schools that have to make curriculum/content choices about what is taught. If these institutions are indeed “public,” than the public should have a voice in those choices. Parents are also stakeholders who can object to certain texts.
Not every book can be read, nothing is “banned” if it is not chosen for a curriculum.
It’s a distraction from the real negligence occuring in schools. I know a local high school English Languange Arts (honors) class that has yet to even begin a novel. How many books will these kids be reading if they’ve gone almost half the school year without one? What might be “banned” is irrelevant if they are reading nothing.
Don’t miscontrue my perspective. There are few boundaries in our educational environment. I have been challenged by librarians on what I allow my sons to read. These are the same librarians who allowed pornographic material to be highlighted in the New Juvenile section at Appoquinimink Public Library (https://delawaredad.com/2023/09/25/nsfw-pornographic-comics-in-the-kids-section/).
I don’t trust librarians, nor public school teachers, nor anyone else, to choose what my children read. I am blessed to have home education as an option. I fully understand the perspective of the parents who want to have a voice in the system.
I’m Glad He Said It
Isaiah is tough. I’ve read 53 of 66 chapters and I’m not sure what’s going on.
I’ve been waiting for a switch to go on, but I can’t see the arc of the book.
Isaiah 53 is a heavy one. It predicts the coming and suffering of Christ in shocking detail 700 years before His birth.
I was relieved to listen to this sermon as Pastor Allen Nolan expresses how hard it is to really understand this book.
I’m going to pause and dig into Isaiah 53. There is a ton of literature and I feel like there is a space for me to receive more understanding.
On a Walk
The boys ran, jumped, raced, and climbed more than they walked, but it was a wonderful way to spend the waning day with them.
Recycled
Just digging up some older posts on deschooling:
https://delawaredad.com/2024/10/09/grateful-for-deschooling-and-unschooling/
https://delawaredad.com/2024/09/04/homeschool-now/
https://delawaredad.com/2024/03/13/dont-teach/
https://delawaredad.com/2023/02/23/on-unhealthy-assumptions/
https://delawaredad.com/?p=5899
https://delawaredad.com/?p=5140
Isaiah 51-52: Promises Fulfilled
In these chapters, God restores the Earth to the bountiful time before the fall of Eden.
Isaiah 51:3 RSV — For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
Half the Country?
Officially, there are 337 million people in the US. It’s probably closer to 400.
About 140 million people voted in total. About 67 for Harris. Half the country didn’t vote at all. Voters are a noisy minority.
I Disagree
Found on Facebook:
I would never abandon a friend for sharing thoughts that I found to be deplorable. I would listen with a compassionate heart and try to understand.
Shutting down conversations before they start makes people feel alone and neglected. It traps people in their own heads when they need to work things out with others.
I am where I am because I listened to people I disagreed with and cared about.
To Vote or Not to Vote
As a minority voter in a state like Delaware (also, most U.S. states), there is really no purpose in voting in a national election. That said, I’m more interested in the deep conversation over the principles behind whether to vote or not. Although I lean into Christian arguments against voting, these two conversations are entirely secular in their approaches.
I agree with Tom Woods and Dave Smith on most political issues, but I’m not convinced by their encouragements to vote in this election:
Alec Zeck and Derrick Broze discuss a freedom mindset that doesn’t entertain voting:
“What am I doing wrong?”
We attended Junior Rifle Club‘s Pumpkin Shoot today. Westen was missing the targets with a handgun and asked one of the volunteers, “What am I doing wrong?”
It was a small gesture, but this kid has been acting very self-assured in all of his dealings with me.
It’s nice to know he still has a capacity for humility.
