If you know anything about philosophy and want to laugh out loud then go...
here
Enjoy...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Coach Weds 16-Year-Old Student
Here is an article I received today...I wanted to get some feedback. There are questions at the end of the article to ponder.
Anguished Parents Sign Consent Forms, Saying They Had No Choice June 22, 2007
The Hagers are trying to figure out how life went off track for their teenage daughter, Windy. They envisioned that life for the good student and promising athlete would be filled with dreams of the prom and college, but that all changed this week when Windy, 16, married her high school track coach.
"She was a dream kid," said her mother, Betty Hager. "We'd never have to worry about Windy trying to get by with something." At South Brunswick High School in North Carolina, Windy's greatest passion was track and field. "She just always was outside, always running, and her name's Windy I guess she was predestined to do love to do that," Betty said.
But that passion led her down a troubling path. Special Attention From Coach During Windy's freshman year, her 38-year-old track coach, Brenton Wuchae, began taking a more active interest in her, offering to give the 14-year-old rides home from practice.
"He just seemed like a genuine guy, like he was there for the kids," said Windy's father, Dennis Hager. But the Hagers eventually grew uneasy. Their phone bills showed text messages between Wuchae and Windy as late as 2 a.m. They also discovered worrying e-mails. In one, Windy wrote to a friend, "I don't care to look at anyone other than him. He is the apple of my eye, I've never felt this way for someone, but I just don't want to lose him because of my parents' power trips."
The Hagers confronted Wuchae. "He assured me there was nothing like that going on, [and that] they were just friends. His intentions were purely appropriate," Dennis said. Not satisfied with that answer, the Hagers turned to the school district, which spoke to the coach. The principal of the high school wrote to the Hagers, "I have seen nothing but a cooperative attitude from the teacher, and to the best of my knowledge, he has not had any contact with Windy since then." "School officials can't be responsible for what happens the other hours of the day, and I would think the relationship developed much more outside of school," said Brian Shaw, an attorney for the school district.
The Hagers contacted police; they even tried to get a restraining order. "We've tried everybody. We've been to the law. We've been to the school board," Betty said. "Our family has come and tried to talk to her. We've had people on the phone with her for hours family, friends. We've been to our pastor asking for guidance. We've been to his pastor."
Meanwhile, the Hagers say Windy withdrew, refusing to speak to them until she asked them to sign a consent form so that she and her coach a man more than twice her age could get married. Although anguished, her weary parents gave in. "Signing those consent forms was the hardest thing I did in my whole life, but we had to move on, it was going to kill us all," Dennis said.
Monday, Windy and Wuchae married, and he resigned from the school. But was Windy really old enough to understand her decision? Experts say it's a difficult situation. "With most teenagers, they're not sure yet who's who and what's what and what should be done," said Henry Paul, author of the book "Is My Teenager OK?" "It's obviously up to the adult figure to set the boundaries." Windy and her new husband would not comment for this story, but the Hagers realize what they've lost. "She could have done anything," Betty said. "She could have set the world on fire. She threw it all away."
Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures
What would you have said had the parents come to you or if you had talked with the 16-year-old girl? Why?
To my ministry friends...what if you were one of the two pastors in this situation. What do you tell the parents if you are their pastor? How do you handle the situation if you are the coach's pastor?
I found this article and the implications for all of the parties involved interesting and wanted to get some comments...
Anguished Parents Sign Consent Forms, Saying They Had No Choice June 22, 2007
The Hagers are trying to figure out how life went off track for their teenage daughter, Windy. They envisioned that life for the good student and promising athlete would be filled with dreams of the prom and college, but that all changed this week when Windy, 16, married her high school track coach.
"She was a dream kid," said her mother, Betty Hager. "We'd never have to worry about Windy trying to get by with something." At South Brunswick High School in North Carolina, Windy's greatest passion was track and field. "She just always was outside, always running, and her name's Windy I guess she was predestined to do love to do that," Betty said.
But that passion led her down a troubling path. Special Attention From Coach During Windy's freshman year, her 38-year-old track coach, Brenton Wuchae, began taking a more active interest in her, offering to give the 14-year-old rides home from practice.
"He just seemed like a genuine guy, like he was there for the kids," said Windy's father, Dennis Hager. But the Hagers eventually grew uneasy. Their phone bills showed text messages between Wuchae and Windy as late as 2 a.m. They also discovered worrying e-mails. In one, Windy wrote to a friend, "I don't care to look at anyone other than him. He is the apple of my eye, I've never felt this way for someone, but I just don't want to lose him because of my parents' power trips."
The Hagers confronted Wuchae. "He assured me there was nothing like that going on, [and that] they were just friends. His intentions were purely appropriate," Dennis said. Not satisfied with that answer, the Hagers turned to the school district, which spoke to the coach. The principal of the high school wrote to the Hagers, "I have seen nothing but a cooperative attitude from the teacher, and to the best of my knowledge, he has not had any contact with Windy since then." "School officials can't be responsible for what happens the other hours of the day, and I would think the relationship developed much more outside of school," said Brian Shaw, an attorney for the school district.
The Hagers contacted police; they even tried to get a restraining order. "We've tried everybody. We've been to the law. We've been to the school board," Betty said. "Our family has come and tried to talk to her. We've had people on the phone with her for hours family, friends. We've been to our pastor asking for guidance. We've been to his pastor."
Meanwhile, the Hagers say Windy withdrew, refusing to speak to them until she asked them to sign a consent form so that she and her coach a man more than twice her age could get married. Although anguished, her weary parents gave in. "Signing those consent forms was the hardest thing I did in my whole life, but we had to move on, it was going to kill us all," Dennis said.
Monday, Windy and Wuchae married, and he resigned from the school. But was Windy really old enough to understand her decision? Experts say it's a difficult situation. "With most teenagers, they're not sure yet who's who and what's what and what should be done," said Henry Paul, author of the book "Is My Teenager OK?" "It's obviously up to the adult figure to set the boundaries." Windy and her new husband would not comment for this story, but the Hagers realize what they've lost. "She could have done anything," Betty said. "She could have set the world on fire. She threw it all away."
Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures
What would you have said had the parents come to you or if you had talked with the 16-year-old girl? Why?
To my ministry friends...what if you were one of the two pastors in this situation. What do you tell the parents if you are their pastor? How do you handle the situation if you are the coach's pastor?
I found this article and the implications for all of the parties involved interesting and wanted to get some comments...
Friday, June 22, 2007
Community and Creation: Lessons from a little town
When I first moved to Wilmore, KY I was amazed at the fervor the townspeople had for k
eeping corporate America away from their small area. The only thing in Wilmore that might remind someone of the city is Subway. And many locals talk about it like they rue the day the devil's fast food infiltrated their pure neighborhood. Coming from an area where I could frequent all kinds of restraunts within minutes of my house I just didn't understand the resentment for the corporate giant. They made real food real fast. (or whatever Subway's slogan might be) I thought the people of Wimore needed to stop cloistering themselves from the outside world and embrace the Subway just as I had.
I think my position has changed somewhat in just the few months we have been here. There is something to
be said for this quaint little town that time seems to have forgotten. The ability to walk through downtown with it's old buildings and be transported to another time when things were simpler. The locally owned businesses where the owner gets to know who you are and can have conversation with you while doing business. Being able to see pictures of Main Street when people rode horse and buggy and recognizing the town in which you currently live. It all has history and community that you can't create in a housing subdivision. There is something about it that seems right to someone who believes we should build up and encourage one another in community. Seeing people you know everytime you head "into town" has a comforting feel to it. It's a lot like family.
But there is something else about the way Wilmore has preserved itself over the years
that I am finding even more valuable: it has not been overtaken by urban sprawl. I continue to find spots in my ventures around the Wilmore area that remind me of how beautiful God's creation can really be. I grew up in central Indiana where the scenery is best when the corn is high. While I do see the beauty in that corn there is so much of nature I am experiencing here. The rolling tree covered hills that change colors each season. The creeks and rivers that make glorious music while you sit quietly. The wooded areas to run through where birds perch and small creatures scrurry reminding me that what God created truly is good. There is so much to take in and I am finally beginning to notice. My eyes are being opened to the divine landscape all around me and it instills awe in The Creator.
So while I still enjoy eating the occasional Subway Club, thanks be to God for opening my eyes to the community and creation found in this little town.
eeping corporate America away from their small area. The only thing in Wilmore that might remind someone of the city is Subway. And many locals talk about it like they rue the day the devil's fast food infiltrated their pure neighborhood. Coming from an area where I could frequent all kinds of restraunts within minutes of my house I just didn't understand the resentment for the corporate giant. They made real food real fast. (or whatever Subway's slogan might be) I thought the people of Wimore needed to stop cloistering themselves from the outside world and embrace the Subway just as I had.I think my position has changed somewhat in just the few months we have been here. There is something to
be said for this quaint little town that time seems to have forgotten. The ability to walk through downtown with it's old buildings and be transported to another time when things were simpler. The locally owned businesses where the owner gets to know who you are and can have conversation with you while doing business. Being able to see pictures of Main Street when people rode horse and buggy and recognizing the town in which you currently live. It all has history and community that you can't create in a housing subdivision. There is something about it that seems right to someone who believes we should build up and encourage one another in community. Seeing people you know everytime you head "into town" has a comforting feel to it. It's a lot like family.But there is something else about the way Wilmore has preserved itself over the years
that I am finding even more valuable: it has not been overtaken by urban sprawl. I continue to find spots in my ventures around the Wilmore area that remind me of how beautiful God's creation can really be. I grew up in central Indiana where the scenery is best when the corn is high. While I do see the beauty in that corn there is so much of nature I am experiencing here. The rolling tree covered hills that change colors each season. The creeks and rivers that make glorious music while you sit quietly. The wooded areas to run through where birds perch and small creatures scrurry reminding me that what God created truly is good. There is so much to take in and I am finally beginning to notice. My eyes are being opened to the divine landscape all around me and it instills awe in The Creator.So while I still enjoy eating the occasional Subway Club, thanks be to God for opening my eyes to the community and creation found in this little town.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Gettting Outside of Comfortable
(Excerpt only - not full article)
Bob Shacochis rants on the importance of living abroad-
If you want to know a man, the proverb goes, travel with him. If you want to know yourself, travel alone. If you want to know your own home, your own country, go make a home in another country (not Canada, England, or most of Western Europe.) Stop at a crossroads where the light is surreal, nothing is familiar, the air smells like a nameless spice, and the vibes are just plain alien, and stay long enough to truly be there. Become an expatriate, a victim of self-inflicted exile for a year or two.
Sink into an otherness that reflects a reverse image of yourself, wherein lies your identity, or lack of one. Teach English in Japan, aquaculture in the South Pacific, accounting in Brazil. Join the Peace Corps, work in the oil fields of Saudi Arabia, set up a fishing camp on the beach of Uruguay, become a foreign correspondent, study architecture in Istanbul, sell cigarettes in China.
And here's the point: Amid the fun, the risk, the discomfort, the fog of miscommunication, the servants and thieves, the food, the disease, your new friends and enemies, you'll find out a few things you thought you knew but didn't.
You'll learn to engage the world, not fear it, or at least not to be paralyzed by your fear of it. You'll find out, to your surprise, how American you are -- 100-percent, and you can never be anything but -- and that is worth knowing. You'll discover that going native is self-deluding, a type of perversion. Whatever gender or race you are, you'll find out how much you are eternally hated and conditionally loved and thoroughly envied, based on the evidence of your passport.
You'll find out what you need to know to be an honest citizen of your own country, patriotic or not, partisan or nonpartisan, active or passive. And you'll understand in your survivor's heart that it's best not to worry too much about making the world better. Worry about not making it worse.
When you come back home, it's never quite all the way, and only your dog will recognize you.
(End of excerpt)
Erin found this excerpt a few days ago and I needed to post it to get some feedback. It fits in with some things I have been thinking about lately. Everything I read, watch and experience seems to keep reminding me how self absorbed we are. We need to think our way is right and our world is the most important. We think that what we are doing is crucial to everyone else's existence. We believe that our comfort and well being is the measure for how things are in the world.
I'm wondering what we think about this writing. Do we agree with the author that experiencing cultures different from our own will drastically change our persective? Do our perspectives need to be changed? Do we agree with the author's statement that we should be less worried about making the world better but instead worried more about not making it worse?
Over the next few posts I'm going to be working on some thoughts along these lines and would love feedback. Please let me know what you think and how you see our perspectives on the rest of the world and maybe we'll all spend some time in a foreign culture for a while because of our discussion...or maybe not...
Bob Shacochis rants on the importance of living abroad-
If you want to know a man, the proverb goes, travel with him. If you want to know yourself, travel alone. If you want to know your own home, your own country, go make a home in another country (not Canada, England, or most of Western Europe.) Stop at a crossroads where the light is surreal, nothing is familiar, the air smells like a nameless spice, and the vibes are just plain alien, and stay long enough to truly be there. Become an expatriate, a victim of self-inflicted exile for a year or two.
Sink into an otherness that reflects a reverse image of yourself, wherein lies your identity, or lack of one. Teach English in Japan, aquaculture in the South Pacific, accounting in Brazil. Join the Peace Corps, work in the oil fields of Saudi Arabia, set up a fishing camp on the beach of Uruguay, become a foreign correspondent, study architecture in Istanbul, sell cigarettes in China.
And here's the point: Amid the fun, the risk, the discomfort, the fog of miscommunication, the servants and thieves, the food, the disease, your new friends and enemies, you'll find out a few things you thought you knew but didn't.
You'll learn to engage the world, not fear it, or at least not to be paralyzed by your fear of it. You'll find out, to your surprise, how American you are -- 100-percent, and you can never be anything but -- and that is worth knowing. You'll discover that going native is self-deluding, a type of perversion. Whatever gender or race you are, you'll find out how much you are eternally hated and conditionally loved and thoroughly envied, based on the evidence of your passport.
You'll find out what you need to know to be an honest citizen of your own country, patriotic or not, partisan or nonpartisan, active or passive. And you'll understand in your survivor's heart that it's best not to worry too much about making the world better. Worry about not making it worse.
When you come back home, it's never quite all the way, and only your dog will recognize you.
(End of excerpt)
Erin found this excerpt a few days ago and I needed to post it to get some feedback. It fits in with some things I have been thinking about lately. Everything I read, watch and experience seems to keep reminding me how self absorbed we are. We need to think our way is right and our world is the most important. We think that what we are doing is crucial to everyone else's existence. We believe that our comfort and well being is the measure for how things are in the world.
I'm wondering what we think about this writing. Do we agree with the author that experiencing cultures different from our own will drastically change our persective? Do our perspectives need to be changed? Do we agree with the author's statement that we should be less worried about making the world better but instead worried more about not making it worse?
Over the next few posts I'm going to be working on some thoughts along these lines and would love feedback. Please let me know what you think and how you see our perspectives on the rest of the world and maybe we'll all spend some time in a foreign culture for a while because of our discussion...or maybe not...
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