Climate Questions: My Review of Our House is On Fire

 

So not too long ago I finished reading Our House is On Fire: Scenes of a Family and Planet in Crisis by Greta Thunberg, Svante Thunberg, Malena Ernman, & Beata Ernman (though it mainly seems to be written by Greta's mother,  Malena )

The slim volume describes the personal journey of the Thunberg/Ernman family as they dealt with both Greta, and her lesser known younger sister Beata's challenging mental and emotional health difficulties and how their struggles paralleled their growing concern for the state of our planet.  Each chapter is a "scene" from the life of the family, and each is brief, sometimes only a page in length. While the book is short, it took me a long time to read. It's not a happy story, and that is by design as the neglect of those who do not fit our societies definition of "normal" and the neglect of our planet are not happy stories.  They do not intend to sugarcoat these facts to make the reader feel good.  They were successful in that effort. I did not feel good.

I know among a certain segment of our culture it's considered funny to mock Greta Thunberg and deride her passion for addressing climate change. I've always felt that attitude is cheap, low, cowardly, and demonstrates an an inability to bring a meaningful challenge to climate change activists ideas.  When you don't have a strong case of your own, you can always resort to personal insults and sneering.

That said, I do feel that the book missed the mark in two crucial ways.  These omissions are important enough that they really hamstring the books ability to get us to take the climate crisis as seriously as they want us to.

First the author(s) fails to articulate exactly what the cost of failing to meaningfully address climate change will be.  There are no specifics as to what we are potentially dealing with in just a few short years. Are we talking about an increase in an extreme weather events, rising sea levels that consume our coastal areas, and shift the colder climates further north (and south). Or are we talking about reaching a point where the planet is literally uninhabitable for human life, as Earth is turned into some sort of Venus-like planet.  The language in the book is severe enough that it seems to imply the latter, though it is never said outright.  And that is a fatal omission especially if you are calling for the most radical of change.

Which leads to the second missing piece of this book.  The author(s) never specify exactly what steps MUST be taken NOW to halt the coming cataclysm.  The implication seems to be that there must be a complete upheaval of our current way of life but there's never any picture of exactly what that would look like.  The closest they come is calling for the end of air travel and embracing vegetarianism.  The Thunberg/Ernman family is adamant that offering "hope" is foolish at this juncture.  Any "solutions" that are not sufficiently radical will simply lull us into a sense of further complacency now that we've "done something."

The air travel thing hit hard. I love to travel and I love to fly--it's one of the things I miss most since the pandemic arrived. I know the authors would dismiss my determination to hold on to winging it as the selfish and short sighted wishes of a privileged person stubbornly insisting on grasping my luxuries at the cost of the planet.  But if you're going to make that case and convince me, then you've got to tell me A) what exactly, in specific detail, is going to happen and B) what exactly must be done by society as a whole in order to stop it.  Absent that, it's all too easy to walk away from the hard questions this book raises and the hard sacrifices it demands.  And I know that's not what Greta and her family want people to do.

What are Those?

 

Maybe a couple of years ago it was a big thing among "the youth" that I work with as a middle school teacher to make fun of someone's shoes. You'd point at the victim's shoes and crow "What are those?"  Those whose parents couldn't be bothered to keep their kids in spotless, name brand kicks would pay the price in the derision of their classmates as cries of "What are those?!?" followed them down the hallway.  

It would seem shoes make the man.  They are more than protection and comfort for our feet (which is how I tend to see them, with all due respect to my sneakerhead friends).  They make a statement.

Lil Nas X, the pop sensation who rocketed to global fame with his ubiquitous hit "Old Town Road" a few years ago has grabbed the spotlight once again this past week, this time with a new song and video and associated shoe tie-in that has scandalized grown-ups across the country.  

I won't dwell on his Satan-themed video or the "Satan shoes" drop. Mainly because I feel that we're being played. Lil Nas X's goal was to get people to talk about him, think about him, watch his videos. And most of us have done exactly what  he wanted. Shock value--over the top sex and Satanism was a combination sure to do the trick--one that has been used to great effect by everyone from the Rolling Stones to Marilyn Manson in years past. He doesn't care what kind of attention he gets.  Any publicity is good publicity.  And the more we frown, the more we gasp, the more we cluck our tongues and wag our heads in warning the more curious "the kids" are to see what the fuss is all about.

I'm not so worried about the good kids righteously appalled at the video. But I do worry about the kids who are maybe ready to turn their back on the Christian faith, those disappointed and hurt by rejection and judgment from zealous believers around them. I worry about those holding on to their faith by their fingernails.  And I wonder if, in our scandalized approach, we are stomping on their fingers with our good Christian shoes.

I think we need to talk more about Jesus and less about Satan.  Rather than obsess over the cartoonish wrongs of the devil, let's focus on the matchless goodness of Christ. We need to approach these issues with calm confidence rooted in our certainty of Jesus. When we are fearful, angry, and condemning we misrepresent the character and the power of Jesus. You might say we take His name in vain.  I get it. I'm a parent, and my deepest wish and daily prayer is that my children would know and love Jesus.  But I don't know that "freaking out" is the best way to encourage that.  

Instead of reflexively condemning out of fear, what about encouraging the consideration of questions like these:

Who do you think would have your back no matter what--the one whose credo is "Do what thou wilt" or the One who said "There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for one's friends" ?

Note that Satan's shoes contain a "drop of human blood" and then compare that with Jesus who does not call on us to sacrifice our blood, but instead gave His own blood on our behalf. 

Who limits access to their shoes to less than a thousand people willing and able spend to more than a thousand dollars on the spot, and who has offered His gift of eternal life, free to all?

Who encourages a focus on surface appearance and style at the cost of the self-esteem of millions who never feel good enough, well-dressed (and well-shod) enough, hot enough? And Who loves everyone, but has a special affinity for those most others ignore, disregard, and disrespect.? Who would you rather trust? The one who applauds you only when you are at your best, or the One who is sure to be there for you when you were at your very worst?

What do you think Jesus' shoes would look like? (The same company that released the Satan Shoes released limited edition pairs of "Jesus Shoes" last year. It's all marketing to them).  Would they inspire pride in the wearer or would their appearance be incidental, with the emphasis on the work they do--covering the feet of those who bring good news, justice, mercy, love?

What does it mean to be "worldly?"  Is it just about "secular" entertainment, fashion, sensuality? Or is it also---and maybe primarily--about cruelty, selfishness, materialism, mockery, a celebration of mortal success, fleeting beauty, and talent, and scorn for the losers, the ugly and the ordinary? How often do we as Christians end up advocating for those very values that define this transient world?

I'll be honest. Jesus is the only reason I'm still a Christian at all.  What passes for Christianity today is largely a mess. We have become entitled, spoiled by hundreds years of cultural dominance so that we've come to view our place of preeminence as our due and any diminishment of that privilege as tantamount to "persecution."  Our comfort has become the number one priority, and I'm not just talking about material comfort--but our also our obsession with spiritual comfort, with a desperate need to be right.  I'm tired of the emphasis on "Biblical living"--our fixation on the Scriptures as if we think that we can find eternal life in them, leading us to fealty to this or that doctrinal point no matter the cost in human lives who must be sacrificed along the way.  The Bible is not the source of life-- at its best it points to the Source. 

I'm tired of the dogged devotion to orthodoxies that are as much about tradition and our own comfort and security as they are about so-called Truth. I've seen too many "Christians" regretfully cut off  people from their loving Savior, just so that they can feel secure in their own righteousness.  Too many are willing to "lovingly" condemn rather than risk being wrong. And I'm sorry, simply professing love and having a nice gentle demeanor simply does not cut it, if you have to add a "but" to God's love.  I'm not at all convinced that ticking all the right religious boxes doesn't have the potential to be even more deadly and dangerous to one's spiritual health than any shock-value satanic posturing.  Jesus seemed to think so too, as religious people were only ones He had words of condemnation for.

How much of Lil Nas X latest creative impulse came from the failure of Christians to reflect the character of Christ? It's a sad day when the church of Jesus has given over the role of total acceptance to the church of Satan.

Rather than worrying frantically over who might be wearing Satan's shoes and singing his songs, why don't we focus instead on seeking by God's grace to walk ourselves in the battered, worn, shoes of Jesus and to sing of His love.

Every time I tried to make it on my own
Every time I tried to stand and start to fall
And all those lonely roads that I have travelled on
There was Jesus

When the life I built came crashing to the ground
When the friends I had were nowhere to be found
I couldn't see it then but I can see it now
There was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace (Mmm)
For forgiveness at a price I couldn't pay (Mmm)
I'm not perfect so I thank God every day
There was Jesus (There was Jesus)

In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus

On the mountain, in the valleys (There was Jesus)
In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus)
In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus)
Always is and always was
No I never walk alone (Never walk alone)
You are always there

In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute (Every minute), every moment (Every moment)
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus

There was Jesus
There was Jesus
There was Jesus

           --Zach Williams & Dolly Parton "There Was Jesus"

This song was one of the last things my dear friend Chandra posted on her Facebook page before she passed away unexpectedly. Even if she didn't know her life was soon to end, she knew Who she trusted, and Who loved her and had been there through it all. At the end of everything, there is

Jesus.

Corona Chronicles: Pandemic-aversary

 It's been a year.  

One year ago yesterday, I wrote my first "Dispatch for Coronaville", a few random thoughts about the pandemic that had upended our lives during the previous week. Reading those early entries now, I seem so naïve. I had no idea then that we'd be dealing with this a year later.  Thankfully it does appear that we are finally looking at what could be the downward side of this cataclysm. 

This will no longer be my work view come Monday morning

I'm fully vaccinated and while I continue to abide by the general public precautions--wearing a mask and social distancing, I feel a new sense of freedom knowing that I'm protected.  This past Thursday, I got my first haircut in more than a year (not counting three "emergency" cuts by my wife in July and December 2020, and February 2021).   We are visiting Barbara's mom this weekend--without the need for masks, social distancing, or 14 day quarantines in advance. We were planning to go to a church service this weekend with Barbara's mom in Dayton--early so that we could still do our weekly family church on Zoom at 11:30 (today was our 52nd service, a full year of meeting as a family for church on Zoom), but then Barbara's mom ended up needing to have an unexpected surgery and so in-person church was out.  Still, we look forward to being able to go to church some time in the near future. 

 And on Monday, just over a year after I left, I will return to the classroom.  My 8th grade students will return to in-person learning for last two months or so of their school year. Honestly, I've gotten pretty used to teaching remotely. I've always known that I'm the kind of person cut out for working from home.  I haven't missed dealing with behavior management; it's nice to be able to not worry about providing "supervision" when kids are working independently, allowing me the ability to get things done.  But I'm happy for the kids, and they're happy (well most of them, there's a few not enthused about having to get up early).  And of course there's the commute, and getting the boys ready for school will involve more than yelling at them to get out of bed five minutes before class starts.  But overall, I'm glad to be going back.

So what happens next? I don't know. I plan to keep this monthly Chronicle going until September, when it will have been a year since I started this iteration of my tracking of the pandemic. Hopefully there won't be a need for it after that.  We will see.

As of yesterday, March 19 there have been 29,720,510 total cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Another 2,016,428  new cases were added since February 15.  What a change from a year ago.  The rate of increase was much, much higher--over a 100% increase in cases every three days!  But the numbers were so much lower. It's worth noting the extent to which the toll of this disease has become normalized.  The number of cases and deaths a year ago, that led to lockdowns and toilet paper hoarding are now dwarfed by daily cases and deaths that we celebrate as signs of the virus's decline. It's heartening to see another significant decrease in the number of new cases added this month. This month's numbers represent a 7% increase in the number of new cases from February to March, and about 3 million fewer than I predicted. The latest reports suggest we might be hitting a plateau but I hope that the decline will continue, even if at a more gradual rate in the next month.  There have been 539,954 deaths altogether from COVID-19, with 54,472 of those occurring in the past month. This is a 11% increase. This is 41,066 fewer deaths than from COVID than we had the previous month, and it is also 66,898 fewer deaths than I predicted and represents about half as many deaths as we experienced from January to February.  I expect to see the number of deaths continue to drop as well as the cases continue to decline.

If this rate of increase continues at its current pace, I  would expect 31,800,946 total cases by April 19 and 599,349 deaths. 

Cases are down by half in all of our benchmark states this month: On average about 10% of the population of each my three original benchmark states--Florida, Ohio, and Nebraska contracted the virus over the past year. Nebraska now has more people getting COVID every day--219--as the total number of people in the state who'd had gotten the virus by the end of last March (192), and Florida and Ohio are pretty close to the same. So while we've made "progress" we are nowhere near back to where we began. We are headed in the right direction, but we are far from having "arrived." 

 I had hoped to see all my percent increases in the single digits and I'm glad to report that has happened. Florida just cleared the bar, and the other states have registered increases significantly below 10%. I would love to see all states' rate of increase below 5% by next month.

Total Cases:

Florida: 1,999,249 total cases, 171,884  new cases, an increase of 9%. This is 175,315  fewer cases than I predicted.  Prediction: Florida will reach 2,179,181 total cases by April 19, 2021.

Ohio: 997,336  total cases, 57,986 new cases, about half as many as in the previous month and an increase of 6%. This is 92,310 fewer cases than I predicted. Prediction: This time Ohio joins the Million Case Club with 1,057,176 total cases by April 19, 2021. I've predicted this benchmark for three months in a row and Ohio has failed to meet that prediction so far. Here's hoping for a fourth month of failure in a row. Indeed may we NEVER join the Million Case Club!

Nebraska: 206,470 total cases, 8,744 new cases, an increase of 4%. This is 11,029 fewer cases than I predicted: Prediction: 214,728 total cases by April 19, 2021. 

Hawaii: 28,678 total cases, 1,906 new cases, an increase of  7%. This is 1,307 fewer cases than I predicted. Prediction: 29,985 total cases by April 19 2021

Illinois: 1,222,043 total cases, 55,963 new cases, an increase of  5%. This is 60,645 fewer cases than I predicted. Prediction:  1,283,145 total cases by April 19, 2021

Deaths are down as well in all of my benchmark states.  This confirms my prediction that deaths would drop across the board as cases continued to decline. It's interesting to note that percentage of those who contracted the virus who ended up dying remains essentially the same for Ohio and Florida as it was a year ago.  Nebraska's death rate has ended up lower than it was a year ago, around 1% as opposed to 1.4% in March 2020.

Total Deaths

Florida: 32,650 total deaths, 3,872 new deaths, an increase of 13%. This is 2,459 fewer deaths than I forecast. Prediction: 36,895 total deaths by April 19, 2021.

Ohio: 18,340 total deaths, 1,994 new deaths, an increase of 12%. This is 8,467 deaths fewer than I predicted.  Prediction: 20,541 deaths by  April 19, 2021. As expected deaths were much lower than I predicted due to last months correction to the death count.

Nebraska: 2,243 total deaths, 120 new deaths, an increase of  6%. This is 155 fewer deaths than I predicted. Prediction: 2,378 total deaths by April 19, 2021. 

Hawaii: 449 total deaths, 26 new deaths, an increase of 6%. This is 118 fewer deaths than I forecast.  Prediction: 476 total deaths by April 19, 2021.

Illinois: 23,304 total deaths, 1,138 new deaths, an increase of 5%. This 1,521 fewer deaths than I predicted. Prediction: 24,469 total deaths by April 19, 2021.

The Corona Chronicles: Why I Didn't Decline the Vaccine

 

I've decided to take a shot, in hopes of ending this COVID winter. 

It's easy to explain why I decided to get the vaccine.  It was available to me. I wanted to be able to have that protection, and to do my part to get us back to "normal", whatever that may be.  The more people vaccinated the better. I believe it is safe and effective.

The harder part is explaining why I didn't refuse the vaccine. That's what I'm going to try to tackle today. I can outline my reasons for not not taking the vaccine in four areas:

I did my research. "Be informed," one earnest Facebook poster implored, "Don't just believe what they tell you." I find the assumption here is that the people getting the vaccine are just going along with whatever the man on the Tee-vee said to do. Independent thinkers do their own research and draw their own conclusions rather than following the masses.  But the truth is a simple Google search will find a host of information both for and against the vaccine (and vaccines in general).  It's not a matter of "being informed." It's a matter of which information you trust. It's probably more straightforward of vaccine skeptics to say "Be informed, but discount any 'mainstream' or institutional sources because they've been corrupted and can't be trusted. Listen to those few voices countering the conventional wisdom. They are telling the truth."  It's romantic, I know, to assume that the minority is always telling the truth. But not everything is the scrappy little guy taking on the Empire. 

I trust the science.  When I say that, I don't mean I trust a particular scientist or anyone with white coat and a some letters after their name. I don't mean that I trust Fauci.  What I mean is I trust  a systematized approach to determining what is scientifically supported and what is not. This is a system that relies on hypotheses repeatedly supported by multiple trials by multiple researchers, and as such is a system that is very difficult to "game" at least in free countries. I trust in a system that is constantly changing and revising itself as new information comes to light (the very thing that makes many people distrust the scientific process--"Well first they said this, now they are saying the opposite. They don't know what they're doing!" Many people don't understand that is exactly how science should work.) I trust this methodology because it has proven to be successful more often than not over the past several hundred years.  The diseases eradicated, the medical advancements we've achieved, and even the increase in our very lifespan bear out the rigor of this approach.  Medical and scientific is not without  spot or wrinkle.  There are have been some dark chapters for sure, but percentage wise this approach is safer than the alternative: trusting in anecdotal evidence ("well, it worked for me!"), one-off studies hawked by those with an agenda or predetermined set of beliefs they are bound to validate.  The less oversight, the less cooperation with peers in the field,  the easier it is for bad science to slip by. And the less I'm inclined to take you seriously.

The benefits appear to outweigh the risks. Some might say:  "This is awfully fast. Wouldn't you like to wait and see if there some unanticipated side effects of the vaccine?  After all, these vaccines aren't technically even approved by the FDA. They've got 'emergency use authorization.' How safe can that be? " My answer is, pretty darn safe. The process of regular FDA approval is extremely stringent, and that's a good thing. It means that when something is released it has been double, triple and quadruple checked. This process can take years, and the argument is--we don't have years.  The possible way down the line side affects are unknown that's true, but COVID is a known problem. If we have means to address it now, and the possibility of serious side effects is unlikely (though not impossible), then the certain benefit out weighs the possible risk.  The EUA exists so that the FDA isn't sitting on a medicine that they feel reasonably certain is safe and effective, waiting for  years for the laborious approval process to be completed while millions lose their lives.  Well, what about the more immediate side affects?  What about that doctor who died after taking the vaccine? Look, you give millions of people a banana to eat and somebody is going to drop dead. Again, it's simple cost-benefit. There's no way that there won't be someone who has some kind of adverse reaction to a substance so widely distributed.  But what we looking for rather than the headline-grabbing story of an isolated case here and there is evidence that the vaccine has significant negative effect on a significant chunk of the people who take it.  The 342 people who self-reported to some website that they had a bad reaction is not quite that significant chunk. 

I haven't been presented with a compelling argument not to take the vaccine.  And I've always been open to one. I find that most people who express fears about the vaccine are not well-versed in their fears.  They don't articulate exactly why the speed with which the vaccine was released is a problem--just that it's "too fast." They routinely cite misinformation like "It hasn't even been tested" when in fact the vaccines out now have been tested on tens of thousands of people.  They worry about possible side effects but they can't say what those side effects might be. They can't explain what kinds of problems are likely to develop with the medical technology used in these vaccines.  There's just a vague sense that you know, there might be something.  These are not compelling arguments. I find it a little strange that that it's often the "lets not live in fear" crowd who are fearless and unbowed before a known danger, but terrified of what maybe, might, could  possibly happen from a vaccine.

So I've had my first dose and my second one is coming up on February 26.  Am I little nervous? Sure. I've cleared my weekend in case I have some of the side affects many have reported, the fever and aches that sometimes come with the second dose (the first dose all I had was a sore arm for about a day after). But I'm not scared.  Fear is one thing I've felt very little of throughout this pandemic. That's because I've stayed informed, I've tried to make safe choices based on the best information we've had at the time. I've always weighed costs and benefits, and after that I leave the rest to God. It's worked so far.

As of today there have been 27,704,082 total cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Another 4,266,654 new cases were added since January 15. It's heartening to see a significant decline in the number of new cases added this month. This is an 18% increase in the number of new cases from January to February, and about 5.6 million fewer than I predicted. I am hopeful to see these new cases drop even more in the next month as we approach the one year anniversary of the pandemic in the United States.  There have 485,482 deaths altogether from COVID-19, with 95,538 of those occurring in the past month. This is a 25% increase. Though this 5,645 more deaths than from COVID than we had the previous month, and it is also 21,445 fewer deaths than I predicted and much lower month to month increase than we saw in January.  I expect to see the number of deaths begin to drop as well as the cases continue to decline.

If this rate of increase continues at its current pace, I  would expect 32,690, 817 total cases by March 15 and a total of over half a million dead:  606,852. 

Cases are down in all of our benchmark states this month: None of the states registered percent increases above 20% this month. I hoping to see single digit increases by next month!

Total Cases:

Florida: 1,827,365 total cases, 296,181 new cases, an increase of 19%. This is almost 255,045 fewer cases than I predicted.  Prediction: Florida will reach 2,174,564 total cases by March 15, 2021.

Ohio: 939,350 total cases, 132,057 new cases, an increase of 16%. This is 198,933 fewer cases than I predicted. Prediction: This time Ohio joins the Million Case Club with 1,089,646 total cases by March 15, 2021. I've predicted this benchmark for two months in a row and Ohio has failed to meet that prediction both months. Here's hoping for a third month of failure in a row. Indeed may we NEVER join the Million Case Club!

Nebraska: 197,726 total cases, 17,441 new cases, an increase of 10%. This is 20,418 fewer cases than I predicted: Prediction: 217,499 total cases by March 15, 2021. 

Hawaii: 26,772 total cases, 2,945 new cases, an increase of 12%. This is 2,535 fewer cases than I predicted. Prediction: 29,985 total cases by March 15, 2021

Illinois: 1,166,080 total cases, 110,463 new cases, an increase of  10%. This is 132,329 fewer cases than I predicted. Prediction:  1,282,688 total cases by March 15, 2021

Deaths are up in Florida, Ohio and Hawaii.  Ohio is special case though. Our state made headlines last week when it came to light that the state Department of Health had bungled the reporting of around 4,000 deaths from COVID going back to October 2020.  Those deaths were added to the official count causing a huge one week "spike." In fact I had to go back and "spread out" those deaths on my chart so that my graph wasn't totally skewed. I'd like to hope that our deaths were actually down this month, if not for that correction. I'm expecting to see deaths down in all five states by next month due to the continuous decline in cases.

Total Deaths

Florida: 28,778 total deaths, 5,166 new deaths, an increase of 22%. This is 680 more deaths than I forecast. Prediction: 35,109 total deaths by March 15, 2021.

Ohio: 16,346 total deaths, 6,356 new deaths, an increase of 64%. This is 3,159 deaths more than I predicted.  Prediction: 26,807 deaths by  March 15, 2021. Again this 64% increase is likely inaccurate because of the 4,000 deaths added to the count.  As such I am certain that my prediction will be wrong be a significant amount next month.

Nebraska: 2,123 total deaths, 250 new deaths, an increase of  13%. This is 406 fewer deaths than I predicted. Prediction: 2,398 total deaths by March 15, 2021. 

Hawaii: 423 total deaths, 108 new deaths, an increase of 34%. This is 58 more deaths than I forecast.  Prediction: 567 total deaths by March 15, 2021.

Illinois: 22,166 total deaths, 2,436 new deaths, an increase of 12%. This 3,088 fewer deaths than I predicted. Prediction: 24,825 total deaths by March 15, 2021.

The Corona Chronicles: Risk Assessment

Is it safe out there?  How do we assess the risks and make our move?

 One of the tricks of this pandemic has been assessing risk. Without any kind of unified guidance each of us have been left to make our own decision based on our own research, gut instincts, need, and comfort level with risk.  We all know the basics: masks, social distancing, avoiding gatherings, but how much wiggle room is there?

At Thanksgiving and Christmas our family quietly made decisions that went against the prevailing wisdom. We are about as careful as anyone we know, but we decided despite the drumbeat of warnings across the land, to visit our families for both holidays. We spent a few days with Barbara's mother at Thanksgiving and about 11 days with my family in Florida for Christmas. On purpose, I didn't say much about these trips. No Facebook posts or photos (though those paying close attention might have picked up where we were), nothing on this blog. I felt a kind of responsibility not to encourage irresponsible behavior in others. If we were doing wrong, I didn't want to be responsible for leading others down that path. Hypocritical? Maybe.  But I also have refrained on passing judgement on others throughout this pandemic even if privately I feel their choices are unsafe and unhelpful.

The thing is, we took pains to assess the risks and minimize them. For both visits we went into a strict quarantine for the two weeks before each trip. We stopped going anywhere. Already we aren't around people much to begin with.  We've been teaching from home, we don't go to church. But when we started our quarantine we cut out grocery store trips and virtually any other kind of even brief contact with anyone else. The biggest reason I didn't make the trip to Texas to attend my friend Chandra's funeral was because of this quarantine. As much I as love Chandra and wanted to be there to mourn her, I couldn't give up the chance to see my mother who I hadn't seen in a year and a half or put her at risk.

Once there we continued to go nowhere and see no one other than our family (who had also quarantined and tested in the two weeks prior).  In Florida, we stayed with my sister and her family. My mom and brother who live close by and had also quarantined were the only other people we saw. We talked about a socially distanced, masked picnic outdoors with extended family but decided to forgo that.  I saw no friends, went to no stores or restaurants. We talked about going to the beach but ended opting against that as well.  We felt we were about as safe as it was possible to be. Yet, I'd always feel a twinge of guilt as I'd hear the continuous refrain of warnings on the news and social media about avoiding visiting family this holiday season.

Were we wrong? I don't think so, even though I'm sure there are those who will disagree (and others who will scoff that of course we weren't wrong! We were overcautious scaredy-cats to begin with! We should have done more!) Our planning was not without flaws. On the drive down to Florida there were numerous bathroom stops and though we planned to do drive through only for food and avoid going inside for restaurants we did up going inside for takeout Subway and Panda Express when we couldn't find ones with drive-throughs. But still on balance, we felt we'd reduced risk enough that we felt we had a good chance of dodging the virus for both ourselves and our families. Both visits were wonderful and now with more than two weeks out from our Florida visit and all parties still healthy, it looks like the gamble paid off.

I don't believe it's practical to eliminate all risk. The goal for me is to manage risk and reduce it. It's all about reducing the likelihood of contracting COVID and weighing that reduction against our practical and emotional needs. My bedrock policy for the most part is avoiding the big crowds in enclosed spaces for long periods of time that are the hallmarks of high risk in this pandemic. I mask up when at stores and other situations where I'll be around others briefly. Beyond that, I just try to assess the risk, minimize what I practically can, and keep on living. That's how we're getting through this, and so far, so good.

As of today there have been 23,437,428 total cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Another 6,960,157 new cases were added since December 14. We seem to be plateauing at more than a million cases a week, a rate that would have been unimaginable just a few months ago. Among them there more current and former students and their families. It's no longer uncommon to know lots of people who have contracted the virus and even know a few that have been hospitalized. This is a 42% increase in the number of new cases from November to December, and about 1.6 million fewer than I predicted. While I know of people who have died from the virus-family of people I know and friends of friends, no one I know well, personally has died from the virus. I hope it stays that way.  There have 389,944 deaths altogether from COVID-19, with 89,893 of those occurring in the past month. This is a 30% increase, 34,092 more deaths than from COVID than we had the previous month, and 20,881 more deaths than I predicted. The horrifying steady climb in deaths over the months this country is truly sobering.

If this rate of increase continues at its current pace, I  would expect 33,281,148 total cases by February 15 and a total of over half a million dead:  506, 927. 

The virus seems to have a pattern of visiting its terrors on certain regions of the country and then moving on to others: The hotspots seem to have moved south and west once again, reminiscent of last summer. California has been in the news for it's overstretched hospitals and friends on the ground at the California frontlines confirm this. Florida also is also seeing case numbers that dwarf last summer's surge. Meanwhile our benchmark states in the Midwest all seemed to have peaked already. However, as has been a pattern of this pandemic since the beginning the case numbers don't seem to recede to their previous levels creating a lovely bell curve. Instead they plateau at a higher new normal.  We see this happening in Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska.  Hawaii's numbers don't register on the graph, but the state has had it's second highest average weekly case numbers since September.

Total Cases:

Florida: 1,531,184 total cases, 405,261 new cases, an increase of 36%. This is almost 80,000 more cases than I predicted.  Prediction: Florida will reach 2,082,410 total cases by February 15, 2021.

Ohio: 807,293 total cases, 236,691 new cases, an increase of 41%. This is 345,332 fewer cases than I predicted. Prediction: This time Ohio joins the Million Case Club with 1,138,283 total cases by February 15, 2021.

Nebraska: 180,285 total cases, 31,241 new cases, an increase of 21%. This is 22,414 fewer cases than I predicted: Prediction: 218,144 total cases by February 15, 2021. 

Hawaii: 23,827 total cases, 4,525 new cases, an increase of 23%. This is 1,244 more cases than I predicted. Prediction: 29,307 total cases by February 15, 2021

Illinois: 1,055,617 total cases, 198,186 new cases, an increase of  23%. This is 273,401 fewer cases than I predicted. Prediction:  1,298,409 total cases by Feburay 15, 2021

Deaths in Florida have surged past previous records.  All other states have seen deaths more or less plateau in the past month. 

Total Deaths

Florida: 23,612 total deaths, 3,747 new deaths, an increase of 19%. This is 966 more deaths than I forecast. Prediction: 28,098 total deaths by February 15, 2021.

Ohio: 9,990 total deaths, 2,439 new deaths, an increase of 32%. This is 23 deaths more than I predicted, but statistically, I was correct.  Prediction: 13,187 deaths by February 15, 2021.

Nebraska: 1,873 total deaths, 484 new deaths, an increase of  35%. This is 572 fewer deaths than I predicted. Nebraska's rate of increase in deaths has finally slowed. Prediction: 2,529 total deaths by February 15, 2021. 

Hawaii: 315 total deaths, 43 new deaths, an increase of 16%. This is 20 fewer deaths than I forecast.  Prediction: 365 total deaths by February 15, 2021.

Illinois: 19,730 total deaths, 4,275 new deaths, an increase of 28%. This 2,216 fewer deaths than I predicted. Prediction: 25,254 total deaths by February 15, 2021.

There were not fewer deaths in all states as I had hoped. My predictions fell the same way they did last month. Florida and Ohio had more deaths than I predicted. The other three states had fewer. How will the new variants vs the new vaccines affect these numbers in the next month?  We shall see.

On Civil War and Censorship

 "I don't need your civil war"

                                     --Guns N' Roses "Civil War"

Are we on the brink of civil war?  That's a question that's been asked a lot recently, some asking with eager anticipation, others with a sense of dread (the second attitude is the right one, by the way).

The events of Wednesday, January 6 shocked the world, but I don't think it was a true insurrection. It was a mob whipped into a frenzy that got out of control. I'm not saying that people didn't come to Washington planning to do more than just wave signs and shout.  What I'm saying is that there is no real organized Resistance that has been able to pull in widespread support from the mainstream. These clowns got into the Capitol and didn't know what to do with themselves. They had no leader (other than the one in the White House. The man they were ostensibly fighting for made no move to support his supporters), no list of demands, no real plan.  If Trump had declared he wasn't leaving office and called on the military to support him, and Biden called on the military to remove Trump, and the military and law enforcement split, with some loyal to Trump and others siding with Biden, well then we'd have a civil war on our hands. That kind of commitment of our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor--that deep willingness to lay it all on the line for the Cause--it's not Trump's style. And thank goodness.

That said, these divisions aren't going away any time soon, and all it will take is a True Believer, one who is skilled as well as committed to their ideology, to take advantage of our inflamed passions and bring about the conflagration that some so foolishly wish for.  Speaking of which, the enthusiasm some seem to have for Revolution strikes me as ill-informed and immature. This is not new.  The last actual Civil War our nation had was rife with people-- North and South--eager for the nation to come to blows. So it has been in other places and other times throughout history. Foolish people eager to to rush to war, not really understanding what they are getting in to.  I think of the video of the woman tearfully complaining that she'd been maced as soon as she crossed the threshold of the Capitol. " We're storming the Capitol. It's a revolution," she wept. How could they do this to me.  Well, that's how revolution goes, my friend. While I think it's despicable to rejoice in the suffering(and even death, in the case of Ashli Babbitt) of anyone, it seems that expecting a violent revolution to occur without bloodshed is silliness.

One thing that I fear may hasten us down to the road to the place of armed conflict is the unfortunate decisions of some of our social media and tech companies. I feel very strongly that it was a mistake to ban Trump from Twitter permanently. I also feel it was the wrong move to limit people's access to the right-wing social media site Parler.  Let me be clear, I'm not saying that these decisions were true acts of censorship. We tend to have trouble separating government censorship from private entities deciding whether they want to provide a service or not. I believe Twitter, Apple, and others were within their rights to place the limits they did. These platforms are not the "public square" even though we've come feel they are and that we are somehow entitled to them. I don't believe that this is some government-Big Tech cabal bent on shutting down the voices of "regular Americans." That doesn't even make sense when at least until January 20, the levers of governmental might are still controlled by the Trump administration.  How exactly does it work that some low-level "deep state" operatives somehow have that kind of clout with Silicon Valley? No, I think this was tech companies making a performative gesture lest they appear be on the wrong side of history (and vulnerable to lawsuits should any further acts of violence occur). Yes, they know it will upset some of their customers but they're betting that even angry consumers won't leave--especially if easy access to an alternative (Parler) is cut off. 

So if these muzzling actions aren't a "violation of free speech" what's the problem?  Well, even if it's technically not censorship, these actions, even though made by private entities, still amount to a silencing of American voices.  And even though these companies can do this, it doesn't mean they should. What these companies have done is exacerbated the sense of grievance of even more moderate Trump supporters. I know many of us who are against Trump are tempted to dismiss his supporters as a bunch of lunatics. Why should we care how they feel?  But there are ordinary Trump supporters, the kind who while they might feel sympathetic to the rioters in DC would never do that themselves, and were saddened by the violence in the Capitol.  I happen to know a number of these people, and I'm telling you these folks feel more persecuted than ever. These actions, have the unintended effect of potentially radicalizing Trump supporters who might not have otherwise embraced more extreme attitudes.

But even beyond the potential for increased isolation of Trumpists and the greater likelihood of radicalization, is the damage that silencing Trump and his acolytes does to our country.  I understand that there are risks to continuing to allow Trump to have a platform, but I think that the risks are even greater if we take away that platform. For those not already under his spell, I find Trump's shoot from the hip style more often than not leads to shooting himself in the foot.  Let the man talk! Let most Americans see him for what he is. I honestly believe that if he hadn't been rattling on about voter fraud these past two months Loeffler and Purdue would have won in Georgia.  His rhetoric both motivated his opponents and discouraged his allies.  Why shut him down and allow him be painted as a martyr for the cause?  

As for Parler, I understand that there are concerns about site becoming a clearinghouse for planning further violent insurrections, but I don't know that was Apple's call to make. Let the FBI drop some informants in there and keep an eye on the chatter, and if something doesn't feel right, deal with it. 

I realize that it's uncommon to take a stand that differs from the "party line." I saw the pushback one friend of mine who is a Trump supporter received when she dared to criticize the riot at the Capitol in straightforward and simple terms without the usual blame-casting absurdity, excuse-making, and whataboutisms common among her compatriots. I saw how difficult it was to have to prove to your own that you're still "down for the cause."  And so I'm sure that there will be many of my fellow anti-Trumpers that have no patience with standing up for Trump's ability to keep Tweeting and the ability of his devotees to speak on the platforms of their choosing. But I honestly believe the only thing to be gained by forcing our opponents into a corner is well. . civil war. And we don't need that.

The End of Politics

 

This is what comes after politics. First the revolution, then the regime. I can't quite get over the blatant disrespect of our country in this photo. At the very least, look at the careless treatment of our flag. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

For quite some time it's been considered fashionable among people from across the ideological spectrum to hold politicians in derision.  One thing we all agree on, left or right, is that we hate politicians.  We are tired of "politics as usual."  Politicians:  They lie.  They live large on the public dime making a career of so-called "public service."  Politicians: In the pocket of big business. Politicians: Not to be trusted.  We often long for some one who is not a "career politician" who will save our country; someone from outside the system who can gut the system and remake it.  Some of us have become so desperate to be rid of politicians and their politics that we've found ourselves willing to go along with anyone from outside the system regardless of whether the evidence indicates he's fit for the job.

But today I want to point out there is something worse than politics.  There are people worse than politicians. Rather than rejoice at the end of politics, we should fear what comes after politics. Because as problematic as politics is, what comes next is far worse.

You see politics can only really exist in a democratic Republic. You don't have politicians in Communist dictatorships. You don't have politicians in totalitarian regimes.  You will have government bureaucrats. You will have party stalwarts, a cadre of loyalists, but not true politics or true politicians. In the land beyond politics, there is no debate over ideas. There is no agree to disagree. There is no legal opposition. In the world after politics, opposition is treason. In a world after politics, only one side ever wins. Every election is a "landslide victory."  It is simply impossible, unthinkable that the party or the person in power could ever lose. In this world, money still rules and the powerful still abuse the weak, but doors to power are now based on fealty to the Party, to the Person, to the Ideology. In a world without politics the other side is not merely wrong. The other side is evil, bent on cartoonish destruction of everything we hold dear.

Here's the thing about politicians. Their job is to give us what we want. That is literally what we elect them to do, and therein is the Achilles heel of politics, what makes it so distasteful. The problem isn't ultimately with the politicians. The problem is us--the much vaunted American people. Politicians lie because they know the electorate will punish them if they tell the truth. What politician in the United States could reasonably be expected to get elected on the campaign statement: "Look, I may have to raise taxes" or "I may have to cut some prized social services." We don't want to hear the truth when it hurts (unless it's the "truth" about our ideological opponents; then we are all for it).What was it Jack Nicholson said in A Few Good Men:

And what about career politicians?    How can we gripe about career politicians when we keep rehiring them?   It is known that incumbents have a huge advantage. Why is that, if not because we want it so? (While I support term limits in theory, to me it's a cop-out.  We are too lazy to vote them out, so lets just make a law that says we aren't allowed to vote for them anymore). 

And lets talk about the cozy relationship between Big Business and politicians. That's on us too.  Especially, here in the United States, we are entirely too trusting of the private sector.  We are more than happy to give massive corporations untrammeled freedom to do whatever they want. We are double minded when it comes to big business--addicted to the convenience and low prices that they offer, quick to defend their obscene wealth as their just due for hard work and entrepreneurship, reluctant to place any regulations on them, and yet enraged when our elected officials stoop to do their bidding--just like we do. We worship at the altar of business, unaware that unchecked power is as dangerous in the private sector as in the public.

So yes, politics is messy, but it's a mess of our own making.  If we want to improve politics, we have to do better ourselves.  And it is imperative that we do so, because the political monster we've created has learned how to manipulate us. It has figured out how to get us to keep choosing them, by using our own deepest fears, inchoate anger, and entrenched selfishness against us. The road to the end of politics begins with the poisoning of politics.  Who benefits from the message that the "Other Side" is evil? Politicians benefit, because if they can convince their constituents that they are not only the best choice, but the only safe one, they will win over and over again.  And media benefits, because "Good Guys" and "Bad Guys" make for far more compelling viewing than boring disquisitions on the pros and cons of this policy or that. 

I would encourage my fellow citizens to stop parroting the talking points of political figures and media types that demonize people you disagree with. You gain nothing but bad feelings about your neighbors and Facebook friends, and are unwittingly doing the bidding of those who would manipulate and use you for their own gain. 

If today has shown us anything, it's that the toxic sludge we've been contributing to will ironically bring about the destruction of the very system it's been intended to propagate. We've just about reached the end of politics as usual. And that's not a good thing. 

The 14th Annual Inspirations List: 2020

At least until this cataclysmic year we've tended to think of heroism in physical terms: muscular strength, courage in the face of physical harm. We think of soldiers, firefighters, police officers, athletes. Comic book heroes inevitably have physical attributes that enable them to fight, rescue, and achieve. But this year, we've adjusted our definition of heroes.  We've recognized heroism isn't only tied to athleticism.  Putting ones life on the line doesn't only mean fighting bad guys and heading in to burning buildings. It can mean heading into a hospital, a classroom, a warehouse or grocery store.  We've learned this year that heroes can fight invisible enemies and that a hero's weapons can be their mind, and years of expertise and training.  But what all heroes have in common, whether the traditional kind or the pandemic heroes we've recognized this year, is a willingness to put themselves on the line for others. It's the determination to do their duty, no matter the cost. The willingness to put themselves at risk so others can be safe. 

This year the people who have inspired me are a perfect fit for the type of pandemic heroism we've witnessed around the world this year.  It is their care, their compassion, their willingness to look outside themselves that make them heroes in my eyes. 

Any way you slice it this is the largest slate of heroes I've ever recognized. Thirteen recognitions, beating out the inaugural twelve in 2007 by one. Fifteen individuals--nine women and six men, and if you count every member of in the group of 22 I'm honoring (which you should), that's thirty seven people!  But this was a year sorely in need of heroes and many rose to the occasion. Some of them I've known for decades, one I just met this year, one I've only met once, and four I've never met at all. Three of these heroes are being honored for the second time. You can read their first tributes by clicking on their names in the link below.  Also worth noting: three of this year's heroes were previously honored thirteen years ago during my Most Influential People in My Life blog series for the formative influence their friendship had on my life. Check out that post here and find their profiles. This years heroes include teachers, students, public servants, and healthcare workers, but it's not what they do but who they are that inspire me. One just began his journey in life 8 short years ago and one's journey was shorter than any of us could have expected, ending without warning this year.  Every one of these heroes have cared: about people, about truth, about love.  There's nothing more heroic than that.

Here they are, my heroes and inspirations for the year 2020:

Janviere Lavender & Tamaria Kulemeka

Amy Acton & Mike DeWine

The CAA 8th Grade Class of 2020

Chris Cotta

Barbara Leen Maycock

Chimwemwe Kulemeka

Evelyn Fordham Goodman

Grant Graves & Dallas Jenkins

Chandra Maloney Rudisaile

Lisa Ortner McNeill

Elizabeth Sanders Towns

Ezra Maycock

Shameika Stepney

Janviere Lavender & Tamaria Kulemeka

I'm inspired by their excellence

These two women exemplify greatness in the classroom. They are the absolute gold standard in teaching. If you want to see the very best in action, slip in to the classrooms (or Zoom rooms) of Ms. Lavender and Mrs. Kulemeka and watch the magic happen. For greatness to manifest itself you must have more than talent (though they have that too). You must have a passion for the work, a love for the people you serve, and a willingness to work very hard. Both women have all of these qualities and the result is vibrant, rigorous, creative classrooms led by teachers who are unfailingly enthusiastic about learning and steadfastly committed to their students' academic, personal, and spiritual success. I've been watching both teachers for years now--Jan, from afar as she teaches her middle school students at Ramah Junior Academy, and Tamaria on a daily basis as we teach side by side. I like to think of myself as a pretty good teacher, but Ms. Lavendar and Mrs. Kulemeka keeping challenging me to be great.

Amy Acton & Mike DeWine

I'm inspired by their leadership

When so many others, hesitated they stepped up. In the earliest days of the coronavirus pandemic that has devastated the globe this year, our governor and his director of the Department of Health set a standard of calm, pragmatic, grown-up leadership that was a model for the rest of the country.  Governor Mike DeWine took swift, clear action in line with everything we knew about the virus at the time. The steps he took weren't always popular, but DeWine seemed to understand that pandering to the electorate wasn't the priority at that crucial moment. He'd been elected to govern, to look out for his state and that's what he intended to do. Meanwhile, he allowed Dr. Amy Acton to be a vital voice, speaking to our state daily (this New Yorker profile on Dr. Acton really gives you a sense of the person she is). The calm, professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate demeanor of both Dr. Acton and Governor DeWine were a reassuring presence in an uncertain time. I have no doubt that their actions delayed the worst of COVID's impact on our state by many months, buying our medical facilities and the people of Ohio precious time.  Since those early days, both Acton and DeWine have felt the consequences of doing the right thing, as many became impatient with the tough choices they made. Acton eventually stepped down from her role with the state and returned to the private sector, and even the stalwart DeWine could only hold out for so long before giving in to the demands of many in our state who were looking above DeWine for their cues on how to respond to COVID.  DeWine still feels like Ohio's favorite dad, but one who is now a bit more permissive, asking but not requiring us to do our part. Still, I'll never forget that Batman and Robin team of  DeWine and Acton when the pandemic wave first hit. And I'll always appreciate their mature leadership during that crucial moment.

The CAA 8th Grade Class of 2020

I'm inspired by their love

 I couldn't pick one. I couldn't pick two or three either. I had to pick them all. Every year, I've quietly chosen at least one student from my graduating eighth grade class that has inspired me in some special way. This year, with such a spectacular group of eighth graders, I figured the choice would be easy. Until it became hard. Because I couldn't pick just one. In the end, I knew the only thing to do was to choose them all.

In my commencement address I spoke about the class as a whole, as well as each student by name, describing what I admired about each of them. You can read that speech here. But if I had to sum up the thing about this group--this thing about them that was present in every single one of them, but was magnified in the whole--in one word, it would be love.  This class of 2020, a class that had their special final year at Columbus Adventist Academy brutally stolen from them by a global pandemic, exemplified love. They loved each other. They loved God. And I'm so honored to say to that they loved their teachers as well. I have felt appreciation from all of my students over the years, most especially after they have left my classroom.  But to feel that love and appreciation while I am still their teacher is a truly a special gift. Thank you, Larrysa, Athena, Ronald, Philip, Hadson, Chelsea, Robert, Alyssa, Yasmin, Tiffany, Kevin, Greer, Daysha, Dayshaun, Nasha, Djbril, Moise, Piya, Bernard, Stephen, Soulemane, Jasen, & Georgia for the love that you are putting out into a world that sorely needs it. Keep shining!

Chris Cotta

I'm inspired by his thinking

Everybody thinks they are independent thinkers. Only a few really are, and Chris is one of those few.  He is quite possibly the smartest person I know. It's always a pleasure to exchange ideas with Chris because I know he'll always make me think hard and challenge me. But I'm also equally certain that he'll give me a fair hearing and that he's willing to change his position if what I say makes sense. Chris and I have been friends since high school, but we'd fallen out of touch over the years. We reconnected via Facebook Messenger near the start of the pandemic and started communicating more regularly after the death of George Floyd energized the movement for Black lives in this country.  The two of us are often on the opposite side of the political spectrum, though not always. You can't be an open-minded, clear-headed thinker like Chris and always toe the party line. Chris is too smart to be anything other than humble, fair, and honest. 

Barbara Leen Maycock

I'm inspired by her impact

After 23 years of marriage, I didn't think there was much left to know, about my lovely wife. I knew her compassion, her care, her kindness, her love.  What I didn't know is how much those attributes had impacted so many others besides me. Finding out at her fiftieth birthday party as the heartfelt accolades rolled in was a revelation. Babs touched so many lives, with her friendship, kindness, teaching, and leadership. I was amazed and inspired by the countless testimonies of people who have come across her path over the years. When the party was over, I was literally in awe of this remarkable woman I am married to and couldn't believe my good fortune in being able to share my life with her.   Seeing what a difference she's made has encouraged me to strive to be more like her. They say that when you've been married a long time, spouses start to resemble each other. I think if my character is looking more like hers, I should be looking pretty good!

Chimwemwe Kulemeka

I'm inspired by his caretaking

He is the engine of the Kulemeka household. The one who keeps things running. At least that's the way his bride describes Chim Kulemeka (it's not his style to describe himself that way). While working long hours and going to school, Chim also makes sure that everything in the Kulemeka household runs smoothly. I'm sure it's a lot, but from what I see he does it all without complaint or resentment. Listening to Mrs. Kulemeka sing the praises of her husband, I'm encouraged to bring my best to my own family just like he does. I am married to a great woman, just like Chim is, and you know what they say, behind every great woman is a great man. I want to be that man, just like Chim.

Evelyn Fordham Goodman

I'm inspired by her positive spirit

Within minutes of our first conversation I knew we'd struck gold. Mrs. Goodman is relentlessly positive and encouraging. I don't even know how to describe the affect she has on people, but every time you talk to her she leaves you feeling good. I get the sense that she makes a conscious effort to bring people in, to engage with them, and make them feel they belong. But I think it's more than that. Evelyn Goodman just exudes positive energy. It's not something she just merely makes an effort at, it's who she is.  So far the demands of leadership as our new school principal at Columbus Adventist Academy has not diminished her shine. She works hard, she learns quickly, and remains responsive and engaging.  Beyond that, she cares deeply about her staff and is invested in our well-being.  Like every good leader, Mrs. Goodman leads by example. And her example is that of a happy warrior, one I'll gladly follow into battle.

Grant Graves & Dallas Jenkins

I'm inspired by their picture of God

Fear not. This admonition appears more than three hundred times in the Bible, but the way God is so often presented by His well-meaning followers, it's often hard not to feel much afraid. God feels righteous, sure, but also harsh, demanding, and unrelenting. Grant, through his book Fearless: Finding Courage in the Character of God, and Dallas, through his multi-episode television drama The Chosen are committed to presenting a fresh, and I believe more accurate picture of God--a God who's defining characteristic is His life-changing love and absolute trustworthiness. Grant does it through his wonderful book that takes us on a journey through the Bible revealing through his fantastic storytelling and insightful theology a powerful portrait of a God who is not to be feared, but to be loved.  By the time Fearless concludes with a stunning breakdown of the three angels message in Revelation, you will understand the phrase "Fear God and give Him Glory" in a whole new wonderful way.  While Grant Graves gives us the big picture, Dallas Jenkins goes super-granular, drilling deep into the life of Christ, with a riveting portrait of the beginning of Jesus' ministry in what I hope will be the first of many seasons. I happen to know Grant personally, and he's been a personal hero and a very good friend of mine since we served together as missionaries on Saipan more than ten years ago. But you don't have to know Graves or Jenkins to be inspired by them. Read Graves's book and watch Jenkin's series and you will be inspired to fearlessly follow Jesus, drawn by His incomparable love.

Chandra Maloney Rudisaile

I'm inspired by her compassionate heart

A breaking heart was one of her gifts, one she gave to so many of us during her too-short time on the this earth. Chandra felt other people's pain. Her heart was broken by the struggles of others and as a result she was often a light of comfort to those in the crucible of darkness. It's a reoccurring theme I've heard in the month or so since we lost her:  "Chandra reached out to me when I was going through a rough time." From an elementary classmate who felt the sting of childhood cruelty, to a former high school friend going through a dark time, over and over I heard accounts of Chandra reaching out with a message of support and encouragement. She didn't seem to reserve her compassion for those closest to her the way many of us do. If she knew you, and she knew you were hurting that was reason enough for her to extend her care. Chandra had her own share of heartache, and for many that would have been reason enough not to bother with the hurts of others, but if anything her own challenges seemed to make her more tender-hearted.  There have been many beautiful tributes to Chandra since she passed, but it's these brief but powerful words--left by probably the toughest guy you will ever meet--that move me most each time I read them:

My high school friend whom could see the soul of someone regardless of the outer shell. I will never forget you didn't forsake your friend at 26, you gave me courage and prayed for me. I'm saddened beyond expression..... It was beyond an honor to call you friend. I hope to be a part of the Kingdom that awaits you....

Now that her light has gone out, it's up to me--to all of us knew and loved Chandra--to carry on her legacy of tenderhearted compassion.

Lisa Ortner McNeill

I'm inspired by her thoughtfulness

Lisa always got there first. I'd like to think it's not just because she's a faster typist/texter! I think it's because Lisa's thoughtfulness is innate and intuitive. In those devastating first days, when the wound of Chandra's sudden loss was fresh, I friended Lisa on Facebook. I'd only ever spoken to her once in my life, briefly after church 26 years ago, when I was visiting Chandra at Southwestern Adventist University in Texas. But I knew she was one of Chandra's closest friends and I knew I wanted to reach out to those who loved her best. But, within minutes of me sending the request and as I was getting ready to write to her, a beautiful heartfelt message from Lisa appeared in my inbox. She'd beaten me to it. And in the days and weeks that followed, she'd keep beating me to it--text messages popping up while I was still typing, invitations to call if I felt like talking just as I was getting ready to ask if it would be okay if I called. Thoughtfulness is anticipating a need before it is expressed and moving to meet that need. That's what Lisa has done for me. I'm sure it's what she did for Chandra too. I feel blessed to have a found a new friendship, forged in great grief and bound by our shared love for a friend gone too soon. I keep trying, but I think when it comes to a kind word and a thoughtful gesture, Lisa will always be quicker on the draw.

Elizabeth Sanders Towns

I'm inspired by her sharing

Sharing on social media is a fine art, one that most strive but fail to master. There are those who are funny. There are those who are righteously angry. There are great storytellers. There are those who share their hearts. No-one puts all those ingredients together quite like Elizabeth. Her Facebook posts are always a joy, whether she is sharing a tender but hilarious story about her mother, known to us as The Mary or expressing her heartfelt anguish at the state of the nation in these troubled times. Her sense of humor, wisdom, compassion, and love shine in every post. I've known Elizabeth for about ten years; I was her children's teacher, but I feel I know her on a whole other level due to her deft leverage of Facebook to share her stories, her heart and her truth. I think what sets Elizabeth apart is the love that motivates her sharing.

Ezra Maycock

I'm inspired by his empathy

Words can be empty. Sometimes even the most eloquent expressions are not enough. Sometimes the best we can do is offer a hug and silent solidarity. This has always been hard for me, someone who always wants use my way with words to "fix things" even when some things can't be fixed. But my younger son Ezra seems to intuitively understand what I often miss. For a while now, whenever he sees his mother upset, he'll put down his tablet where he's been engrossed in his Minecraft game, walk over without a word and give her a hug. In the past month or so, from time to time he'd come up to me out of nowhere and just hug me. As far as I could tell I wasn't even visibly upset, but somehow Ezra seemed to intuit that Daddy could use a hug. It used to startle me at first, and I'd have to stop myself from reprimanding him for "hanging on me" but I quickly realized that this was his way of expressing comfort and empathy, and I've welcomed those hugs. Just lately, I've started making a conscious effort when I see someone in my family upset to do just like Ezra does. Walk over, and without saying anything (for once!) simply give the struggling person a warm hug.

Shameika Stepney

I'm inspired by her life-giving words

Then again, a few words can change a persons life forever. Shameika Stepney was a third grader when she saw a classmate named Fiona being mocked for daring to try to sit with the so-called popular girls in the cafeteria. Shameika stood up for Fiona, telling her: "Don't worry about those bullies. You have potential." Shameika went on her way, the brief interaction soon forgotten. Forgotten by Shameika. Fiona, on the other hand never forgot those words. They became something that she held on to, a mantra that kept her going for years to come. So much so that one day Fiona, the now-world famous musician Fiona Apple decided to write a song about it. "Shameika" was one of the most well received songs off Apple's latest album Fetch the Bolt Cutters and soon enough Shameika discovered the full life-giving impact of those few words she spoken some thirty years earlier.  Stepney, a working musician herself, says that's just who she is. Speaking life is a way of life for her. (Check out her collab with her former fellow-third grader, "Shameika Said." I confess I like it better than the original!)  Thanks to Shameika I'm inspired to consider carefully what I say, knowing that just a few of the right words at the right time could change someone's life.

 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,

Is a word spoken at the proper time

                                --Proverbs 25:11