HCS Seniors.

Listen!

Are indeed quite intriguing. I have long admired their unique class, and now more than ever, I feel as though I have a duty to share my experiences with them. Though I have met, and taught quite a few people in my time, I’m quite convinced that each and every one of the seniors just rocks my socks.

I must also admit, I am a bit anxious about their “Senior prank.” I fear they will strike when, and where I least expect, so I’m constantly on my guard, for they are certainly terrifying in their sheer ingenuity!
Also, I’d Like to recommend a fabulous movie to all of you: “Whats Up Doc?” Its really a confusing movie, but wonderful.

Thats all for now.

-Ammo

Happy New Year!

Here’s to all of us feeling anti-social this new years.

Cheers!

Know Thyself

We’re experiencing some major upheaval at our school. Much harm has been done in the name of the future; many good people are being hurt because of the need to move foward with our vision. I think that we all can understand that organizational health might require shaking things up now and then, but it always ought to be done with honesty, integrity, and compassion. Of course, none of these three things have been present here in the past months.

I wrote a long letter over the weekend that I submitted to our board and administration. In it I called forth our leadership to be truthful and just… we await their response. I am dubious.

I wrote the letter not only because my friends were losing their jobs or being overlooked and devalued by our new administration, but because the truth has been treated as a commodity that can be used to serve any end so desired. I wrote the letter because I felt I could not look my students in the eye and continue to teach them about the radicality of the Gospel and the God who makes himself known in truth, justice, and vulnerability. Finally, I wrote this letter because if I hadn’t, I believe I would have lost myself.

On my way to work yesterday — whereupon I planned to deliver this letter — I listened to “Racing Like a Pro” by the National. It struck me with deep force and reminded me of who I am, who I was, and who I want to be. Here are the lyrics:

You’re pink you’re young you’re middle-class
they say it doesn’t matter
fifteen blue shirts and womanly hands
you’re shooting up the ladder

Your mind is racing like a pro, now
oh my god it doesn’t mean a lot to you
one time you were a glowing young ruffian
oh my god it was a million years ago

Sometimes you get up and bake a cake or something
sometimes you stay in bed
sometimes you go la di da di da di da da
til your eyes roll back into your head

Your mind is racing like a pro, now
oh my god it doesn’t mean a lot to you
one time you were a glowing young ruffian
oh my god it was a million years ago

you’re dumbstruck baby
you’re dumbstruck baby now you know
you’re dumbstruck baby
you’re dumbstruck baby now you know

Sometimes we slowly drift away from ourselves. Sometimes we are jolted back.

Grace is a funny thing.

All Worth It

Today I attended the graduation for Heritage’s class of 2007. One of my Health students, Adrienne Ritche, gave an address during the commencement ceremony that was, in a word, astonishing. I was truly stunned. Not only was it delivered with eloquence, but it artfully drew the listener (at least those with ears to hear) into ponderance of the bountiful mystery of life and of our God. Like this moment in time, life is both lived forward within the past, filled with sorrow and joy, overwhelming with abundance and a hope for more to come. Adrienne drew upon and synthesized so many of the richest themes we have read and discussed this semester, including the sage wisdom of Pastor John Ames. I could never have written, let alone delivered, such a work of staggering beatitude; this was the most astonishing fact of all.

I have to confess, I was deeply proud and profoundly moved.

Witnessing Adrienne reveal the depth of the gift that God has given us with this life… this moment made all the study, all the preparation, all the long hours of being a student and teacher worth it.

I stand humbled before God for this wonderful gift.

Thank you, Adrienne.

Biting the Blog Bullet

I’ve resisted blogging for several years. It always struck me as rather narcissistic; who would want to read my thoughts on random stuff? But here I am — a new member of the blog-o-sphere.

I think I’ve resisted blogging up to this point because when I read blogs I often feel like I’m in group prayer where I usually end up trying to sound really spiritual and deep. So I just have this to say before I take the plunge: I am going to to try my best to write for myself and not get caught up in taking this too seriously.

Hope it works out.