What a hectic week and half.

 
This last week has been crazy. On Thursday December 11th at 5:45pm Aiden Thomas was born. He was originally 19inches, then 21, and finally 20. He weighed 7lbs and 4ounces. Aiden was almost the same size as Trevor, just a little smaller. Aiden was also two weeks early, which is good overall. My parents and Tommy drove through the night wednesday night to be here in time. So, I took Thursday and Friday off of school. We have been working on our Christmas play for the following Wednesday. On Wednesday it started to SNOW! I was amazed. So we left school after a few hours and had to call off Thursday and Friday. Now we are on break. Lucklily on Tuesday we were able to go to Trevor's Christmas performance. He did great, check out the video. So Tomorrow Aiden has doctors visit, actually he has three this next five days, plus we have Christmas. I am busy with my Master classes, although I get a little break right now. I am also working on a few different projects. Becky is enjoying her time with Aiden and loves being home. She might not want to go back to work. Check out the pictures section, I added a lot of new pictures. Working on some videos.

Trevor's first school performance

Aiden Thomas

 

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY!

Thank You LEC Worship Committee

Last year I posted a blog about how I have not been met in the worship services at the LEC (Lutheran Educator Confernece). This year was different. This year was Traditional Service and it was good. I didn't see anyone complaining about it being traditional or boring. The Sermon was excellent. The preacher gave the same sermon to our Church in celebration for our 50 years of Education. Thank you LEC and PSW District.

Past few weeks

 

A lot has been going on this past few weeks. Great Grandma and Grandpa Burk came to visit, Halloween, and getting a new place. We are finishing up our move this weekend. As you can see in the picture, Trevor was spiderman for halloween. We went to Grace again for Trunk or Treat. We stayed a little longer this year, last year we didn't even make it to the treating part. We have pictures on our picture part of the website, take a look. Pictures of our new place and with GGM/GGP Burk are also up. I will take new pictures of the place once we get evertying moved in. This past weekend I took over pretty much everything in our old garage and a few extra boxes. We ahave a lot of work to do to reorganize and be ready for moving on Saturday.

We are moving

If you have not heard yet, we are moving, not far, just down the street. We will let everyone know more when we actually move. We are going to be renting a house, 3 bedrooms 2 baths, plus a bonus room, open kitchen with island. It has a fireplace and a covered patio with lights. 2 car garage and 1,900 square feet. It is the type of house we would want to buy. We would love to have anyone over now, we will have room. I will also be able to use my charcoal grill again, with my gas grill we will be able to have nice bbq's. Stay tune for pictures and news.

The Next President is....

My Little American!

Across the Nation Years later, still not the same..

As a child I remember going to the apple orchard every year, and even more than once a year a few years. I remember walking through the rows of trees, picking apples. I remember coming back to the main place and stand in line for some good donuts and apple cider. I remember the bees and how I hated that part. I also remember the place we would go to would have some animals and also can't forget the hayride. That was Michigan! 2,000 miles away in California this past weekend we took Trevor to pick some apples. The first place we went to we weren't allowed to pick, but we did buy some cider, but it wasn't made there, it was shipped in frozen. No donuts plus it was expensive, 15 dollars for a half bag of apples. So we went to a different place. We can pick our own there, and it was cheap, 75cents a pound. So we took five minutes and we had 11 pounds of apples. It was windy and chilly. No hayrides, no cider at this place, no donuts and no hayrides. The good thing, no bees. So it wasn't the same as I remember. How things change overtime and how things are as good as you remember when you were a child. The most important thing though was Trevor had fun.

Primatech Paper Company relation to Education

Primatech Paper Company

What is the big deal about a paper company? Bigger question what does a paper company have to do with education? As most of you know I am working on my master for educational administration.  While going through my first few classes I have found a new philosophy on education.  Education is on the wrong path and has been for a long time.  We are doing harm to our children, my education has let me down.  We have known about the major different learning styles for a long time, being Cognitive or Psychomotor, or the newer differentiated learning.  But, is that enough?  NO!  There are many more talented writers and bloggers out there that can talk about how we are training our children for jobs not even created and what is the newest technique for implementing the latest internet tool.  I read over 30 blogs a day with great information and encourage you to find some good Blogs on topics you enjoy to learn.  I sit in webinars and listen to educational presentations in real world and Virtual (Second Life).  As this Post evolves, I will be changing it.  I just wanted to get a solid foundation down while 1. I had time 2. I didn't forget it. and 3. I haven't seen this thought yet anywhere besides my own thoughts on twitter.

SO WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT?  WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH PAPER COMPANY?

If you go on the primatech website and you click on about us and then you click on the logo in the upper left hand corner you get a secret website.  Now they don't try to hide the secret website but the possibilities are there for education.  So how does this relate still?  Are you still confused? How is Education suppose to change to have hidden websites?

Well, Primatech isn't a real company, it is a company on the show Heroes, and this is how it fits into education.  Heroes has taken an all in your face attitude to promote its show.  You have the show on tv, you have the normal show website (plus fan website), you have interaction by creating your own Hero for their graphic novels on line, and now you have a website based on their company that is a front for their secret job.  This is what we need to do in education, we need to be using everything and anything to educate our children.  How will you educate your child?

Again this is a rough start for something I want to take time to work on and write about.. .comments will be beneficial!

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Happy Birthday Trevor

Birthday pictures are up, some pictures of Becky are in her up, and more Trevor being Trevor pictures. We had a great birthday!

Trying out Ping.FM

Just something fun.

Click here for full screen version

Day Out in the Park

VBS in Review

I put pictures on our Picture day from VBS, but I finally got to use a great program to make the video.

New Trevor Videos, They are also found under My Vidoes on our Picture Page

Summer is Over :(

Although I sill have a week and half before students arrive in my classroom, I do have meetings starting tomorrow. This summer went by way too fast. To catch up on here:

1) A few weeks ago I started feeling Aiden
2) This is Trevor last week at Desert Christian, He starts at my school with me on the 20th
3) We got Trevor a Memory game and he kicked butt when we played it... he actually remembered where all the pieces were after he saw them in their place.

What is Trevor doing when we are not around?

I was surfing the internet when I found this.

Some of the VBS Pictures

VBS

VBS (Vacation Bible School) was this week and it was a lot of fun. Trevor had his good moments and tired moments. Check out pictures There is an album for each day.

A month left of Summer Vacation.

It's A BOY!

Becky had an ultrasound today (16 weeks) and we found out that it is a boy. We have decided to name the baby Aiden Thomas Burk. The two new pictures are up.

A little time for Reflections

This is us and this is what I think!: Just because something is New does not mean it is good

A While back (Check link) I wrote about the LEC (Lutheran Educators' Conference and their lack of Traditional Service and pushing the Contemporary music on us. This past week I was at a Lutheran Conference in Indy for DCE and Youth Workers. It was a great time!

I decided to go to a seminar on a new way to worship. It changed my view on contemporary services, although you won't see me raising my hands and dancing in the pews any time soon. This ministry (called Room211 (based on Acts 2:11) Link to their Website) is very much still wrapped into Lutheranism. They follow the Church year, They have all the main elements, They still profess the word of God. They just use different methods.

I do have to say, they are doing God's work!

Fourth of July 2008

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July. We are going to go see fireworks tonight, We didn't get to see any last year because Trevor was sick. Check out the new pictures entitled May 2008 to June 2008.

At the movies with Trevor.

At the movies with Trevor. A nice father and son time :)

New Ultrasound

 

A lot has happen since our first ultrasound... My school year ended and I am on summer vacation, which isn't really a vacation for me, I have to go into school every day. From the picture you can see we got a new ultrasound.... The due date is Dec 24th. Trevor can't wait... he asks already to play with his brother or sister. He loves looking at the pictures also. This summer is going to be busy, I have some trips for Youth. Becky and I will be celebrating our 6th year anniversary.

The First Picture

 

Here is the picture from our ultrasound. The Baby is inside the black area. Hard to see, but the Baby's heart takes up about a third of the baby. We will add more as they come. We are thinking about getting a 4D Ultrasound. We had it done with Trevor.

New Pictures check them out Trevor 08

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New pictures

 

Some new Pictures in Trevor 08 and Pictures from my NASA/Air Force Trip. Check them out whenever!

The amazing rebirth of Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

1) He wants to play for Detroit. 2) He wants to play goalie. 3) He wants to win. 4) He wants to play for Detroit."I've had like three stages of my career," he says. "I was here, then I went away, then I was back. I've had the best of both worlds. The first time I was here, I didn't even know other guys in the league. Then you get out and you see how other organizations work, you meet different players, different people. Then you think, 'I had it pretty damn good before.' "And so he is back to his pretty damn good -- back to where he belongs, Detroit, where he says he will live for the rest of his life.When they yell players' names at hockey games, it can be a fad, a spontaneous eruption. When they yell "Ozzie" at Joe Louis Arena, it's more like a career cheer, a hometown familiarity, the thing he has wanted more than anything else: to be a key part of this franchise, to hopefully retire in this jersey.

The amazing rebirth of Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press




What is there to say about Ozzie, He was here for 2 Stanley Cups, he probably could have done the job in 2002.  I always liked him.  I am glad he is back and playing awesome, just like having McCarty back is great.  If it was up to me Stevie Y would still be playing.  What makes me like Ozzie even more is his dedication to the Wings, he never wanted to leave, and when he did go, all he wanted was to be back.  It is just the right thing to do, having a player with that much dedication and loyalty to the team to stay the rest of his career!

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Just need a break

This week ends my first Master Class, my next one starts up next week. Just need a break!
We have gone to school every day since Easter and still have two more weeks before a day off. Just need a break!
Trevor was in the ER again this week. He cut his head open, no stitches, they just glue him back together, don't know how many more trips I can deal with. JUST NEED A BREAK!

Are you afraid of the dark?

Nickelodeon use to have this show called "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" I used to love that show. I also used to and still do, love to watch horror and suspense films. I love going to Knotts Scary Farm . I can't get enough of those type of scream fest. What I do have nightmares about are things happening to my family. Last Thursday night, a nightmare was coming true. Trevor was sick. He was laying in our bed, I went downstairs to get him some water and to check on Becky, I went upstairs and he was just laying in the same spot, not saying anything, so I put the cup to his mouth for him to take, and nothing, I started yelling at him, my heart started to pound, my blood pressure rising up. I kinda picked him up, and he was just dead weight in my arms, His lips started to turn blue, his eyes, were glassy and started to roll into the back of his head. My nightmare of losing my son was upon me, He was dying in my arms. White stuff started coming from his mouth, I helped to get it out. After that, he started to breath again, but was still not ok. During this time, Becky called 911. After the vomit was gone, we could hear the sirens, so I let them in. Even now, when I close my eyes, or just stop doing something, The frightening picture of my son, helpless haunts me. The doctors say it is normal for toddlers to have fever induced seizers.

Trevor seems to act now as nothing has happened. He is back to his cheerful playful self, which is good, it helps ease my pain. A neighbor, who we never met before or talked to, Becky and I are kinda hermits, we keep to ourselves. Came and gave us a candle and was saying that they were praying for us, and that they mention it at the school they work at (which is a school in my school's athletic league). Becky mention when you think all people are just heathens and out there for themselves, someone like this enters into your life and reminds you of God's glory.

ESPN - Ranking the playoff goaltenders - NHL

3. Dominik Hasek/Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings

No team has a one-two punch in net like the Detroit Red Wings. With
more than 100 playoff wins combined and each having previously led
Detroit to Stanley Cups, Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood's experience is
a big plus. The 43-year-old Hasek has looked shaky at times this
season, but still ranks within the top five in league GAA. The two-time
MVP is the Wings' No. 1 goalie to start the postseason, but if he
stumbles, Osgood is a more-than-capable replacement. The 35-year-old
Osgood led the league in GAA and was the NHL's best to start the
season. No team allowed fewer goals than the Wings this season, and
goaltending is a big reason why.



2. Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Ducks

It has been an injury-plagued season for the defending Stanley
Cup-winning goalie. The latest problem, back spasms, caused him to miss
four games. But, somehow, he has still been able to put together one of
his best seasons. Despite starting only 57 games, Giguere has been
spectacular. Since the beginning of February, he's won 14 of 18 starts
with a 1.43 GAA and only twice allowed more than two goals in a game.
It looks like the former playoff MVP is again ready to drive shooters
crazy at the most important time of the year.



1. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils

At 35, Brodeur is still the best there is, arguably the best ever. This
season, he ranks within the top five in games played, GAA, save
percentage and wins. With a 1.92 career postseason GAA, including three
Stanley Cups, there is no one better at this time of year. Of the 16
playoff teams, only Anaheim has scored fewer goals, so Brodeur will
need to be perfect this postseason. He usually is.

ESPN - Ranking the playoff goaltenders - NHL


This is how ESPN ranks the top three goalies in the playoffs, The funny thing is, their first two Brodeur and Jiggy  are out, sitting at home watching the remaining games on TV.  Hasek is now on the bench and Ozzie is the starter.  In his first two start Ozzie, allowed only one goal, which came with 40 seconds left in regulation in game 5.  Hasek won the cup for the Red Wings in 02, Ozzie won it in 1998, and was reliever in 1997.  They both know how to win in Detroit and for Detroit.  They, ESPN, does have it right when they have a one two punch, better than any goalie combination.

Another thing ESPN gets wrong is there is no mention of CUJO, a former Red Wing Goalie, he has been playing outstanding.  If anyone knows, its the wings, that a Goalie can kick you out of the playoffs, I have seen many times the Wings only lose because the other Goalie was outstanding!

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A Blessing in disguise.

So I get a called yesterday saying, I have been approved for a trade in for my new laptop. I go and after waiting for almost an hour, at least it seemed like that. They said you have how much you paid for it to buy a new laptop. My Blood Pressure started to boil. Wait a minute. Just because I paid a sales price, the computer is worth more. The computer was under warranty, so its not my fault. You can not take my laptop and give me a crappier one instead. Another guy came over and said he will guarantee that the one I pick out, will be better than the one I had. It looks exactly the same and seems like it has a little more memory and runs a little faster. Really this blog is about me, jumping to a conclusion that they were out to rip me off. In Life, things happen and we need to remember there is a reason, even if it was that my first laptop died, on the last day of my Easter Vacation and I have been almost a month without one. Just smile for the speed bumps along your life!

Stop Loss

"Stop Loss" the movie should had taken advice from its own name and stopped the movie a few minutes before they did. Because, they loss me from supporting it. Going in I wanted to see it but fear its message. During the film, besides the poor acting, it was winning me over. Then came the so called facts in real life. I know there is a special word for what it is called, but can't remember. Anyways, it became very clear if not before this was nothing but a jab at President Bush. If you didn't get it when one of the characters told his commanding officer to, "screw the President," you would get it when it talks about how the President sent 30,000 soldiers back into Iraq. Does war suck? yea, I have had friends and family fight in Iraq in the last five years. I know it would be a big downer if you thought you were done but had to go back. The movie also shows how the horrors of war can effect and affect families when they come home. The post war syndrome (I believe that is what it is called) is something that needs to be addressed. The movie was full of one liners, that were actually funny at parts. The most touching part of the movie was during a funeral scene (one of the soldiers shot himself), just too close to my grandfathers death. It hit me once Taps started to play and the presentation of the flag. I wish it wasn't so political, otherwise, it would be an ok movie. Either you will agree with the movie or find it a little troubling.

Grind Line is back: McCarty, Draper, Maltby start; 2 in 3rd for Franzen | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Grind Line is back: McCarty, Draper, Maltby

Grind Line is back: McCarty, Draper, Maltby start; 2 in 3rd for Franzen | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Felt good to see McCarty back on the ice for the Wings, a little slow, not a lot of ice time, but it was good.  Plus the Grind Line got to start, a classy move non to say the least about Baps.  Hopefully the Grind Line can be as productive as it was in 97,98, and 02.  I would love to see another Stanly Cup in my life time.  It will be Trevor's first also. 

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Trevor's Puppy Classic

 

The Last 20 Days

Today is my younger brother, Tommy, Golden Birthday, he is 24 now. What an OLD MAN!

A lot has happened including two separate visits from family and friends. First Great Grandma and Grandpa came in for the weekend before they head back to Michigan. It was a great visit. Trevor though was a little sick and not himself. More recently Katie (Trevor's Godmother) and Mike came to visit for a few days. Again, it was a great visit. Even though Katie is pregnant she played ball with Trevor in the house, Mom (Becky) got involved and well lets just say she knocked over our wedding picture (maybe she is saying something?) We went to Hollywood one day, going to Universal City Walk and eating at Bubba and Gump's. Always good food! We then went to the Mall. It is part of the Kodak Theater which is next to the famous Chinese theater that has all the handprints. There are always unique people in Hollywood, that day was no different. It was different that we had a sudden hard rain fall for a little while. Another night Jim came over and we played Hearts.

I also started my Graduate classes, two weeks done, six more weeks to go for my first class. It has had it bumps as everyone in the class is getting used to E-Learning. I still do not like how the online tests are set up. The professor liked one of my journal review that he suggested I start a blog for the class that would outlive the class and live forever out in the World Wide Web. CUW Ed Admin Blog. I have been enjoying the class very much, but now with school starting up again I will see how it goes. Which brings to the last point of my Easter break which was good until now. My NEW laptop died. Saturday night, I turned my homework in for the week, power down. Sunday I went to turn it on and nothing! :( I took it to Best Buy, they need to ship it out, luckily it is still cover under warranty. I did had to pay (my choice) for them to do a back up grabbing any files they could before they shipped it. It is funny that they charge 100 dollars for a back up. If I was more religious on my back ups at home I wouldn't have to worry. I am about 2 months behind at home. The worst part is my programs. Most likely I will lose all my installed programs. I am also going to lose all my emails for school. I am not happy about that. I had few people I needed to email back. If this happened two weeks ago I would be as upset, but wouldn't be as mad since School starts up again tomorrow! I hope to get it back as soon as I can!

Wishing everyone had a great Easter!

P.S. this is something I forgot to say when I originally wrote this. My girl's basketball team won the Championship this year. On the second day we had to play three games back to back to back with the last two against a team that beat us on Day 1 (It is double elimination). In day two our first two games our Defense was stellar in the first half, not giving up a single point. The second half of those two games let my bench to play a lot. In the Final game, we got off to a bad start. I think the girls were a little tired. We were down 8-0 at one point and 8-3 at half time. We got it tied up 11-11 about half way in the fourth and won 14 to 11.

What else do I need to say.

There is a lot I can write about this video. There is a lot I want to say, but will not say anything. I will let you take the video in for yourself. I will let you decide what this video is saying to you.

A Good Visit

This past weekend went by way too fast. Trevor got to see Great Grandma and Grandpa Burk. It was really good to see them. Trevor was still a little not himself. He has been clingy a lot lately. We ordered his new bed. It should be here in a week or so. It comes with everything pictured, the bed, the table and chairs, and the storage unit. If you did not know, Trevor climbed out of his crib a while back. We are afraid of him hurting himself. Other news, Trevor is doing good in school and loves it. We are hoping to have him start going to my school in June. We are now getting ready for Katie, (Baby Dobbs), and Mike to come. It should be fun. I go on Easter Break at 12 on Friday. I also start my classes on Monday.

Technology in the Lutheran Classroom: I've Officially Lost Control...

I've Officially Lost Control...I've officially lost control of my Computer Science elective class (i.e. learning to program using ALICE). I've never taken a CS or a programming class before in my life, so I thought I could just stay one step ahead of the class by reading through an ALICE textbook and everything would be OK. I could fake it :-)Well, after much reasoned conclusion (and lack of time..our dishwasher is on the fritz and I've been tasked with the time consuming duty of hand-washing), there is no way I can keep up the charade any longer. So today I bit the bullet and officially announced that the class is smarter than Mr. Jacklin and from here on out, we'd be learning together!OH, the look on their faces! I got several looks of disbelief. Several, "OMGoodness, did he just say that out loud?" looks. Finally there were those kids who have been past me for quite some time now making video games, interchanging object parts, and generally "owning" ALICE. They looked at me with a gentle smirk, saying with their eyes: "It's about time! Tell us something we didn't already know!" I couldn't snow these kids even if I tried. It was if I was at an AA meeting and just announced, "Hello, I'm Mr. Jacklin and I don't have anything else to teach you about ALICE."So, to make a long story short, we'll be learning together. I will learn from them as much as they will learn from me. To be honest....it's very liberating and...I'm OK with it. Not being the expert is a position that is quite uncomfortable for me, but it's a posture that we will all take on sooner or later as teachers.I've come to understand that my role as a teacher is not one of "expert," but one of mentor, facilitator, and leader. These kids aren't "empty vessels" anymore (if they ever were). They have a depth of knowledge in some areas that surpasses mine.The one area in which I have an advantage over them is that they don't know what to DO with the stuff they know. That's were I come in! As teacher, I can help them order and interpret their world; help them put together the pieces of a chaotic information, knowledge landscape.Now that...I feel comfortable doing!

Technology in the Lutheran Classroom: I've Officially Lost Control...

As a teacher I feel for Rob.  God gives us talents and we try to use those talents as best as we can, but we don't know everything.  Students and, more annoying,  parents think teachers should not be human.  Not just in the fact of having a life outside of school, but also thinking we should have all the answers.  When you are teaching History or even Math it is a little easier to master these subjects.  They usually do not change the so often.  English is a little tougher because the so call correct ways of speaking and writing changes a little every year.  With Technology, is it even possible to master?  We are suppose to be teaching students for a future, for technology that is not even around yet.  How is it we can stay on top of EVERYTHING.  I read about 15 different Ed Tech blogs.  I search the web for thousands of different ways to do something (to teach).  The internet holds a lot of new ways that was not around only a few years ago. 

One thing will always be true, the Teacher will learn as much if not more than the Student each year.  If a teacher does not, I believe they are not doing their job.  God bless Rob and the rest of the Lutheran Tech leaders I enjoy reading.

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The Fischbowl: Calculus: The Musical!

The Fischbowl: Calculus: The Musical!

For all you math lovers out there (Jason). 

The link above is just for another blog about it.  To get to the site directly click here.

They have audio and video clips.  Check it out.  This would be good for high school age students.

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To Blog or to Live Blog

Technology Summit Day 2 Part 2

    If you are reading this you know what a Blog is.  In case you don't know, this is a Blog.  There are many different reasons to Blog.  I Blog to tell family and friends what is going on in our world.  I also use it to spew my nonsense mind. That is if you like it or not.  Yesterday I got to participate in a new thing, at least new to me.  It is called Live Blogging.  You can use Cover it Live.

    So what is the big deal?  Well during this technology summit (use link at top of this post) A fellow Lutheran Teacher and CUW grad was in a meeting.  They were talking about their Technology issues at their school.  He would type the main points or questions.  Us the viewers, even though we were not there, we could interact.  We posted our own comments and asked questions, and even answered some questions.  The person can relay what we are saying to those in the room with him.  Even if you just watched it was interesting.  When the session is done, you can end it and it is archived for anyone to view.  You can go back through the semi transcript.  It was sweet.  Please tell me other ways this can be used.  A pastor is going to try have their confirmation class do a live blog each service.  What else is there?

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playing around with some new cool toys out there.

I will be using this one for educated purposes in the future... but for now just saying hi


Get a Voki now!

You must check this site out.

Athanatos Christian Ministries, Inc, is a ministry committed to applying the Christian world view in creative contexts that range from Christian apologetics to education to the edification of the church to literature and the arts.

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith;

be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

From the Director:

Naturally, you want to know what Athanatos means. Athanatos is Greek for 'immortality' or, 'not dying.' If Christianity is true, that's what we are: immortal. We are adventurers unleashed for glory, freed from the burden of sin and fearless in the face of death. That's what we are, but that's not how we feel when we think of Christianity only in terms of our butt sitting on a pew.

This ministry is the outgrowth of my apologetics ministries over the last decade. No longer do I believe that the best, exclusive use of my time is to reach out to and contend with atheists. Today I believe that the Church needs to expand its vision and methods in order to keep people from falling away in the first place. To that end, argument is still useful, but it needs to be packaged in a way that our society can receive it. More than that, I believe we should present Christianity as the inspiring story that it is: with each of us as important 'characters' as we really are.

This does not mean that the packaging is more important then the message. Things are still true whether we like them to be or not. When a missionary goes to a foreign country there are some aspects of the culture that he can accommodate himself to but there are some things he simply cannot abide. The things he can accommodate himself to are things that he can use in order to communicate. The United States is a mission field. There are some things that matter to people today (like stories, movies, etc) that we can use but in reality should have never been left by Christians in the first place to be rediscovered by secularists. It is partly the aim of this ministry to re-capture and re-employ what was properly within the domain of Christian thought in the first place.

That means that Athanatos Christian Ministries will strive to produce thoughtful educational programs that are consistent with historic, orthodox, creedal Christianity, but also seek to connect through literature, through music, through story, among other methods we might imagine. Athanatos Christian Ministries is a big picture organization. Anyone interested in joining us or learning more is invited to contact us to see just what can be done.

Sincerely,

Anthony Horvath

Executive Director

Athanatos Christian Ministries

There is no other news here than I wanted everyone to check this site out. As a Christian we should be honoring that someone like Anthony Horvath would dedicate his life to this line of work. If you would like to support This organization there are multiple things you can do, besides filling out the donate form on the main page you can get something back by buying a book that Anthony wrote, Birth Pangs.

Please leave comments here or send them directly to Anthony on how you can help and think.

Response to Focus on the Family Bulletin February 2008 Article in the Real Life Section; The Love That Matters by Carl Lindskoog

The Love That Matters

I'm thinking of two lines. The first line is that of middle-school boys standing on their numbers for the start of another gym class. Two popular jocks are choosing up teams, and when there's no one left in line but you, the message is clear. In the words of a popular song, "You're no good. You're no good. You're no good. Baby, you're no good!"
The other line, coming earlier in life, is formed by paper sacks taped along the bottom of the blackboard in Mrs. Snarkley's fifth-grade class. It's Valentine's Day, and kids are asked to drop pretty little valentines into other people's sacks. Reaching into yours, you find one from the teacher. And then there's ... nothing. Meanwhile, you watch Beautiful Barb and Dashing Dan pour out their many valentines for all to see.
If I were a parent again, would I try to spare my kids from such pain? Of course. But we can't always succeed. And there's a prized rose among these thorns. Ultimately, we all have to learn that only One Person's love matters. And He keeps singing to each of our hearts, "You're so good. You're so good. You're so good. Child, you're so good!"
~ Carl Lindskoog

So what is the big point? The final line is spot on. It was actually one line that ticked me off. "...try to spare my kids from such pain? Of Course." That one little line make me stick my nose up to this whole article. I am so tired that we need to be walking on egg shells for every person in the world. We need to make sure their feelings are not hurt. We are destroying our youth. Rejection is the building block of succeeding. There is something into telling someone they are not good enough to be on a team. There is nothing wrong saying someone has to work harder. The person than has two choices, work harder or give up.

I have been rejected many times, and have been told I would not be good enough or that I would make it. I could have given up and cried to my mommy, but I didn't. I set out to prove the people wrong that said I could not do it. People said I couldn't graduate from college and now I am on my path to a master degree. People said I couldn't teach in a self-contain classroom and now I have taught every grade level 3-8th. Don't let other people say you can't do anything, but when they do, don't cry not fair. Work Harder.

The main point is still the same, God's love for us will never falter, and even though we are not GOOD Enough to be on God's team, he picks us first. God Bless...

The Will to Live from a Dying Man: Thoughts and Feelings about My Recent Lost

My grandfather recently passed away after days of holding on. Being 2,000 miles away I kept asking how he was doing and everyday I was told this could be the night. After a few nights of thoughts, Becky and I decided to just go to Detroit. We flew in and visited my grandfather in the
hospital, the smell of death was in the room, but he kept on fighting. A few hours later my older brother got into town and visited, and a few more hours after that, as my mom witnessed the room turned chilly cold, and he took his last breath. Two things come to my mind; 1) He waited until my brother and I got to see him, or I should say God didn't take him home until... and 2) The Angel of Death is cold. I have heard many times that rooms got cold before someone has died.
Thinking back as I write this it feels weird that my grandpa is dead. Memories have hit me in the strangest places and the most unique times. It makes me miss him just so much more. As a human we are so selfish. It is so hard to let go. Even though I know he is not suffering and is in Heaven. I guess we just need faith to get through all of this. I guess I just been so lucky, up to this point, I had all of my grandparents and even a great grandparent. The last time I had a death in my immediate blood line (not counting Becky's side) was in 2001. That was when I was a fourth year student. The death before that I was a Junior in High School. The first funeral I can remember going to was when I was a fourth grader. This is all to the best of my memory can recall.


During the funeral I held it together pretty good, that is until the Army Color Guard presented the Flag to my grandma and "Taps" was playing. "Taps" is an interesting story how it came around and how it means so much. Maybe because that gesture made it real or because what that meant? My grandfather was a draftee in WWII. He saw a lot of action, was in active combat for more than 100 days without relief. He received the Purple Heart for being shot by a sniper. He saw a lot of his friends die. The strangest thing to think about is that he took lives. Something that is unbearable to think he was able to do that. Maybe it is the respect, that three men part of the Army who never knew my grandpa, that was shown. Or how they stood in Salute in the parking lot as the Flag was carried past them. The memories that come back.


In the Bible Jesus experienced a lost a few times, but, after he found out that John the Baptist was beheaded he (Matthew 14:13) withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. John was a friend and a family member. Jesus needed to get away (even though the crowds followed). So I got away also. Ok, I was going to get away no matter what for last weekend, but this lost justified it all. Our Youth Ski retreat is what I needed. Although Becky and Trevor were not there, other people were. I was able to get my mind off of my grandfather and the pain that was in my heart. I was in the presence of God's beauty, how can you be sad? I got to meet new people, which is always a cool thing. The main question for our Bible Study was what does Retreat mean. To me retreat means withdraw and heal. I am lifted up to know I do not need to worry and that I am happy that my grandfather withdrew to God and he is healed.

Can you argue when you have this as proof?

Recently a few friends and I were discussing whether or not Michigan is the best team (Football) in the Nation. Their statements were the last few years have not been the best, haven't beaten OSU in more than 4 years and so forth. Let me just lay some things out here right now

Wins and championships

* Most wins (869) and highest winning percentage (.745) in NCAA Division I-A football history
* The most conference championships of any college football program in any conference (42)
* The most winning seasons (110)
* The most undefeated seasons in Division 1-A football (25)
* One of only three schools with a winning record against every Division 1-A conference, including independent schools such as Notre Dame.

Scoring and schedule

* The largest scoring delta (points for minus points against) in college football history
* One of the highest all-time strength of schedule rating in college football

Attendance and television

* The highest NCAA home attendance every year since 1974, except for 1997
* The largest (non-racing) stadium in the United States (Michigan Stadium, seats 107,501)
* The largest crowd to ever attend an NCAA football game: 112,118 on November 22, 2003, at Michigan Stadium vs. Ohio State
* The longest current streak of over 100,000 in attendance at home (208 games)
* The most televised school in college football history (382 televised games)

Current streaks

* The longest current streak of non-losing seasons (40 seasons; 1968-present)
* The longest current streak of bowl game appearances (33 seasons; 1975-present)
* The longest current streak of games in Division 1-A since last being shut out (287 games; last time on October 20, 1984, at Iowa)

Honored pageantry

* The number one sports rivalry: Michigan-Ohio State, according to ESPN's "10 Greatest Sports Rivalries"[5]
* The best helmet in football, according to ESPN's "End of Century" Special
* The best uniform in sports, according to ESPN2's 64 Team Bracket Results[6]
* The only fight song in the Hall of Fame

What else is there?

Michigan Claims 11 National Titles to go with NCAA, but in reality they have won 14.Michigan Football

Michigan has been invited to play in 39 bowl games in its history, compiling a record of 19-20 in those games.

Note: From 1918-1945, the Big Ten did not allow its teams to participate in bowls. From 1946-1974, only the conference champion was allowed to attend a bowl (the Rose Bowl), and no team could go two years in a row.

So many years Michigan could not go to a Bowl game, where they would have been invited.

Before this years win over Florida, Michigan last Bowl win came against no one other than Florida. Some say this years bowl game was revenge for last year scam.

As a sum up, you can say Michigan is just the BEST! VICTORS VALIANT! HAIL!

Trying to Show who up?

So I just recently got accepted into a Master Program. I come home and Becky tells me she has decided to apply to be a College Professor at the local college as a part time job.

Chapel: Who is the Greatest King of All Time?

What is that?  Who wears it?

The following is a rhetorical question, which means you don’t really answer it out loud, just in your head. 

 

Who was the Greatest King of all Time?

 

Let’s talk about some Biblical kings.  First there is this guy named Saul, not the guy who becomes Paul, but Saul, the first Israelite King.  The Israelites wanted to be like all the other nations, they wanted a King.  The people chose Saul.  He got very jealous of David who was Gods choice for King.  David became King after Saul and Jonathon, who is Saul’s son and David’s best friend, died in battle.  David did some great things; he reclaimed the Ark of the Covenant and Jerusalem.  His most important task he wanted to complete as king was to build a Temple.  David never built the Temple and even committed murder.  Later came Solomon, who can be said was the wisest man in history and he built the Temple David wanted to.  What about Non-Biblical Kings from our History Books.  You have Louis the 14^th who ruled France for 72 years.  That is like a long time, isn’t it? How about Alfred the Great who was noted for his defense of the kingdom against the Danish Vikings and becoming the only English king to be awarded with the title “the Great.”  For someone who likes military would know about Alexander the Great, the most successful military commander in history, and was undefeated in battle.  He had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks.  Or there is Affonso, King of the Kongo; he was the first ruler to resist the European slave trade.  Lastly but not the least king Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, conquering most of Southwest and Central Asia, which created the largest state the world had yet seen.

 

Who would you vote for as the Best King?  Saul, David, Solomon, Louis, Alfred, Alexander, Affonso, or Cyrus?

 

The word "king" is used symbolically in the Bible to signify someone who possesses supreme power. In fact, God is referred to as a King in our text for today, 1 Timothy 1:17: "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." Also in 1 Timothy 6:13-16: "In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time - God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."

Revelation 19:16 is the main passage where "King of kings" is mentioned in relation to Jesus Christ. "On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." This verse is speaking of the future time when Jesus Christ will return to earth to set up His kingdom. All will proclaim, "Jesus is King!"

King of kings and Lord of lords is a victorious title. It signifies sovereignty over all kings and all lords. Everyone will be in submission to Him, King Jesus! No matter what person in history is the most victorious king or ruler on the earth, Jesus Christ is the King of kings!  He is the Best of the Best!

 

Let me read to you some lyrics that you will hear in a moment.  Think about the kings we talked about in history, some of Earth’s best kings that Earth could offer.  Think about if you were a King would you do what the lyrics tell us what Jesus did do.

 

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?

How many lords’ small l lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

How many gods’ small g gods have poured out their hearts?

To romance a world that has torn all apart?

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

 

I do not know about any other parent in here, but I could not give up Trevor for you.  I just couldn’t do that.  But God loves us so much that he did exactly that, gave his Son, Jesus for You each one of you and for me.  How Awesome is that. 

 

If you ask my third graders they will tell you that I like to play different Christian songs for them.  I always tell them to listen to the lyrics, listen to the words.  So please listen to the words of this song, How many Kings from Downhere.

Please Pray with me.

Dear King of Kings, Lord of Lords,

Thank You for being the best King, the almighty King, the powerful King, the loving King.  Let us forever bow down to you, worship you, and praise you.  In your name, we pray, Amen.

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Post 100

So This should be Post #100. At least according to my counter. Hopefully Post #200 will come faster than Post #100. So really this post isn't anything worthwhile, but again neither are most of my other posts.

Master Journey

I have been accepted into the CUW Master Program for Educational Administration. I will be starting in March.

All in a Single Day

 


What a day, what a day. It is only around 5:30pm Pacific Time Zone and Trevor and I had a super full day. Trevor slept in a little, waking up around 7am, which is nice, usually its somewhere between 5:30 and 6:00am. Trevor and I came downstairs so Becky could sleep a little longer. We finished watching the movie "We are Marshall", which is really good movie. After breakfast and getting dressed we went to Church. Trevor helped me pass out door hangers. We walked little over a mile while passing them out. We went to Wal-Mart after that. We came home picked up Becky and stopped by Wanda's (my principal) house. Today is her birthday and we had a gift for her. We visited for a while and Trevor played a little. We then went and got Trevor a hair cut. On the way home from the hair cut we stopped at Burger King to grab lunch. We came home and ate. Trevor went down for a nap and so did I. When Trevor woke up we went to the Movies, just Trevor and I. We went to see the new Veggie Tales movies. We have wanted to take Trevor to a movie lately but didn't know what to see. He will sit and watch "Mary Poppins" and "The Jungle Book". I figure he watches Veggie Tales on TV once in a while. He knows the characters and points to them every week at Church. Our Sunday School Program is doing a Veggie Tales Curriculum. Although he wasn't bad, it didn't go as smooth as I was hoping for. We did make it though. I am glad we made it. Hopefully next movie we go to see it will go a little smoother. As of right now Trevor is eating a Mickey Mouse Shaped Pizza that he picked out when we were at Wal-Mart. There is even still 4 or more hours left in this day. What else can I do to get into trouble?

How Can you Deny?

 

The Following is the Lyrics from Chris Tomlin song "Indescribable"

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

I just don't understand that people can not understand the power, the majest, and the beauty of the power of God. Take the photo for instance, that beauty happens every day in every state and every country. I have a thing for clouds, Becky thinks its stupid, but I just think about when I look at the clouds I see something amazing, so amazing that only someone as mighty as God could make something as amazing as a cloud especially during a sunrise/set.

The Flip Side of things.

Have you ever had to defend something that you didn't agree with? This is done in debate class all around the country. You look at the opposite side way of thinking. Last night I had to do this for our Sr. High Youth Group. Our leader asked if I would be pro abortion. I was to take a group of kids who may or may not believe in abortion and try to show them why it was a good thing in the case of rape, incest, and if the child would be disabled in some fashion. I had the kids start thinking of some good points that people use in the real world. I even had the Pro Life side stumbling and just resorting to Religious beliefs but not world belief. But, the more in character I got, the more I confirmed my own thoughts how bad abortion is. I challenge you to take a matter of something and look at the opposite side view and try to argue for that side. If your own convictions do not stand out stronger at the end, maybe you need to change your thinking a little.

Where's Trevor

 


So you know the book Where's Waldo, well here is Trevor's version of the book. I just think this is acute picture even if you don't see him at first.

American Gladiators

The old classic man vs man vs Gladiator.  This was a show I loved growing up, we even had the computer game for it.  Well it is back and changed up a little.  Hulk Hogan is hosting it.  Some of the old games that we loved, power ball, assault, and joust.  They have some new games like hit and run.  I can handle the new games and love the updated classics.  I can be content with the new gladiators.  What I do not like is the new Eliminator.  This is the last event.  I just don't like how they redid it.  There are no gladiators involved.  Overall I think this was a good redo of an old classic.  I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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Winter Storm

Since Friday afternoon it has been storming. So bad that our power went out for over an hour on Friday Night. Jim and Prisca were over while we were playing Scene it for 360, I will be reviewing it later. As I write this it is raining. They said snow can come as low as 3,000 ft. It should be fun if it does snow.

New Pictures under Trevor and new videos under my videos

The Burk Family


Trevor Pictures are updated a little and 2 new videos, from Becky's New Camera.

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Those who stay will be Champions

The game is over, and Michigan is the Victors. Coach Carr, who is by far one of my heroes, went out with a win. Everyone counted Michigan out, they were too slow, they were playing against HEISMAN winner Tebow. I mean Tebow, is only a Sophomore and won the Heisman, a National Title as a Freshman, Ran and Threw for more than 20 TD each. Crable said he was just another QB, and they showed although he is a good player, he isn't anything too special. They made Tebow eat more dirt than a worm.

The scariest thing is Michigan had 4 turnovers and still had more than 500 yards. It is a great day to be a Michigan man. Last year Florida politically jumped over Michigan to make it to the National Championship game. This was a little revenge.

Carr is now no longer coach of Michigan and Coach Rod is. Let the Tradition Continue!


GO BLUE,

What your mind conceive and Believe, your body will achieve and those who stay will be champions!