War is a Business.

Today is 9-11...tragedy and war come to mind.

It is easy to forget that for a few powerful elite war is a business, and human lives are a commodity...much like the auction blocks of the African slave trade.

Christian rhetoric can bother the conscience at times, and I can feel the mold growing on my upper ganglia when I hear Christian language that subconsciously endorses war...

I have no desire to play the stock market, but I do receive daily updates on which stocks are going to be "hot." I subscribed to these updates simply because I teach economics and it gives me some great fodder for discussion.

I received this lead several days before anyone envisioned peace with Syria outside the use of force: 

"It`s your turn to make money on war! It`s the very time to do it!!!
As soon as the military attack Syria, oil prices will rise as well as MONARCHY RESOURCES, INC (M-ONK) share price. Start making dollars on Mon, Sep 9, 2013, get M-ONK shares."

Down right appalling, ridiculous, and contrary to the Kingdom of God!

I was reminded of something I read recently:

Chemistry Compilation

This post needs to begin with an apology to my 2012/2013 Chemistry class. I wanted to end the year on a fun and interesting note, so after our final test I assigned a final project. I divided the class into pairs...each pair was asked to prepare a basic Chemistry demonstration of some kind to present to an audience. With the busy schedule at the end of the year, I was never able to arrange a suitable audience, so we agreed that I would video the presentations and post them to my blog instead.

I promised to upload the compilation by early summer. No excuses....my head is now firmly in the sand, so no...I can't see the leaves changing color on the maple trees.

I'm not much for video editing, so what you see is pretty much exactly as it went down. However...the preparation week has been omitted for a number of good reasons.

For example: Note the volume of smoke created by Justin and Jordan in one of the final demonstrations on the video. Then imagine that demonstration occurring in a confined space known in the settled regions of Appalachia as a classroom....of course this is only in your imagination:)

After that week I noticed that I was super sensitive to anybody working beyond the perimeter of my peripheral vision (Not really). We all learned a lot along the way. I have some ideas for making the project even more effective next time and the students learned that teaching Chemistry might actually be harder than learning Chemistry....

They all did an excellent job...enjoy the video!

No Time to Tarry Here???

I pulled in my lane this evening hoping to finally catch up on some sleep...instead I found out that a dear sister from my church took her life today. Sandy is a single lady that has been attending my church for the last number of years...wrestling through this journey...

Now a song from one of my favorite children's choirs is playing through my head over and over....I thought I would share it. Life is a big matter of perspective....when one sees his life held up against eternity, he really has little time to be shoddy here....