One of my favorite names of God: Jehovah Nissi, The LORD is my Banner

In the south, we love our football. I have attended A LOT of high school and college football games throughout my life, and I'm sure if you are reading this post, you have, too. As a kid, one of my favorite things about going to football games was that moment when both teams ran onto the field, ready for battle. The players would gather behind a big paper banner that usually had their team's colors or logo plastered all over it (or a message to the other team about how they were about to be destroyed), and then bust through the banner as the marching band played the school's fight song. I loved this part of the game atmosphere so much, that when I would be at home I would make my parents or grandparents hold up a newspaper so I could run through it, acting like I was coming on to the field. As an adult, I still love this part of the game. Whether it's the old-school paper banners, or huge school flags that the cheerleaders and mascot carry ahead of the team, I love the sense of pride that these symbols represent. It's almost like the school is collectively saying, "Hey opposing team, I know you probably remember who you are about to play, but just in case you forgot, here's a huge banner to help remind you of who we are, and that we will be the victor on this field tonight."

When I witness this at a game, it leads me to think about one of my favorite names of God in the Bible: Jehovah-nissi, which means "The LORD is my banner." It seems that we don't hear, or use, this name of God much. Maybe it's because it is only listed once in all of the Old and New Testament, in Exodus 17:15. Below is the context of the passage of scripture.

"While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, 'Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.' So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses' arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. After the victory, the LORD instructed Moses, 'Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.' Moses built an altar there and named it Jehovah-nissi (which means 'the LORD is my banner'). He said, 'They have raised their fist against the LORD's throne, so now the LORD will be at war with Amalek generation after generation'" (Exodus 17:8-16, emphasis mine).

There were times when all God wanted the Israelites to do was stand back and watch Him deliver the victory to them. Obviously, their deliverance from slavery in Egypt comes to mind. This time, though, they were to engage in battle. Even though they were to fight, the battle and subsequent victory was still God's and God's alone. As we see in the passage, when the staff of God was raised in Moses' hand, Israel "had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage." The staff of God was not a magical wand; it represented God's power and sovereignty. Therefore, in this battle with the Amalekites, whenever the staff was raised, God's power was on full display. With Aaron and Hur helping to ensure the staff would stay raised in Moses' hand, the Israelites were victorious through the power of God.

So, after the battle was won, why did Moses name the memorial he built "the LORD is my banner"? The Bible does not really give an explanation. But, this is just my thought. Moses obviously had a good view of the battle (i.e. "Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill..."). In all of the chaos of war and mass of humanity that he was witnessing, how could he tell if Israel was winning or losing? My guess is by watching for their banner. Watch any movie depicting a war scene, and you will most assuredly see a banner or flag located at the front line of the army, representing that nation. Even in Old Testament times, banners were prevalent and a symbol of a nation. This was true of the twelve tribes of Israel, as Numbers 2:2 states "the Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family." If the takeaway of this victory for Moses was seeing the banner of Israel being advanced in battle by God's power, then it certainly makes sense as to why he would build an altar to God afterward and name it Jehovah-nissi, the LORD is my banner.

This name of God is not only true for Israel thousands of years ago, but it is also true for us who trust in Christ today. As you go through your day, know that Jehovah-nissi is raising His banner before you and above you. Maybe you don't feel like you are in a battle, and therefore have no need for a battle flag. May we be reminded that we are in a spiritual battle which we cannot see with our physical eyes, but is most certainly happening around us. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, powers, world forces of this darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). It comforts me and gives me confidence to know that the banner of Almighty God goes before me as I go about my day-to-day routine. All of the "rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness" know to whom I belong, and that the victory is mine in Christ Jesus. For the Christian who feels defeated, remember that you are victorious in Jehovah-nissi. And, for the Christian who feels that they can fight and win their battles on their own, remember that Jehovah-nissi is the One who gives you the victory. I encourage us all to think on this truth as we go about our everyday life, and even as we are cheering on our favorite football team this coming fall. Let us give thanks to Jehovah-nissi, the LORD our banner.

God's Sense of Smell

Spring is in the air! Earlier this week, Emily and I were walking our neighborhood, and I could smell all of the aromas of spring: freshly cut grass, someone having a barbecue in the backyard, flowers in bloom. It reminded me that God has a sense of smell, too. We often don't think about this, but Scripture points it out in several different places. For example...

"Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose. And the LORD was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, "I will never again curse the ground because of the human race" (Genesis 8:20, 21).

"O LORD, I cry out to you, 'Come quickly.' Open your ears to me when I cry out to you.

Let my prayer be accepted as sweet-smelling incense in your presence. Let the lifting up of my hands in prayer be accepted as an evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141: 1,2).

"Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God" (Ephesians 5:2).

"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God." (2 Corinthians 2: 15, 16).

A couple of points I would like to make. First, if you are a Christian, your life is a pleasing aroma to God...period. Why? Because, as Ephesians 5:2 states, Christ "offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." We are a pleasing aroma to God because Jesus is a pleasing aroma to God. 

Secondly, Jesus has done away with the old system of the priest sacrificing an animal at the altar. We are now God's holy priests! And, since we are His priests, we can make spiritual sacrifices (for example: prayer, praise, giving thanks, repentance) that rise up to Him and are a pleasing aroma to Him. "You are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God" (1 Peter 2:5).

So, when you are outside this spring and summer, and you catch those glorious, pleasing aromas of a barbecue, or flowers in bloom, or the fresh air after a rainstorm, just know that this is how God perceives your life in Christ. You are a pleasing, fragrant aroma to Him! And, in that moment, may it remind you to offer up a spiritual sacrifice of prayer, praise, or thanksgiving in your role as His holy priest. Your spiritual sacrifice will rise up to His throne, pleasing Him more than burgers on a grill during a warm Alabama day!

Blessings in Banishment

In the past five months, God has revealed Himself in new ways to me during this process called "parenthood." I know this may come as a shock to many of you, but I have come to find that babies are pretty much helpless. Who knew!? Andrew, my now five-month-old son, is no different. He relies on me and Emily to provide for his well-being every minute of every day. In a much greater sense, I am helpless: spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I need to rely on my Heavenly Father every minute of every day, too, if I want to be well-nourished inside and out.

As Andrew gets older, I know there will be times when I have to discipline him when he does wrong. I also know that the discipline will come out of a sense of me wanting what's best for him. It won't be fun for me or him while the discipline is taking place, but I know that it will pay dividends in the long run in order for him to learn right from wrong.

As I read Genesis 3, I see the same exact scenario that I just described playing out, but of course the stakes are much higher. We all know the narrative of how Adam and Eve sinned by eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, after He commanded them not to. In response to their sin, God banishes Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. What is not often talked about, however, is the reason behind this banishment.

"Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live. And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. Then the Lord God said, 'Look, the human beings* have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!' So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." (Genesis 3:20-24)

Banish is a harsh word, and not a word that's heard in our society a lot today because it is rare that you hear of anyone being banished from some place. In my mind, the word banish conjures up images of hurt feelings, anger, or divisiveness. So for me, it would be easy to assume that God is angry with Adam and Eve because of their sin, so his discipline is to banish them from paradise; end of story, right? Not exactly.

When you dig beneath the surface of God's discipline of Adam and Eve, you see a Father's love for His children. The reason God banished them was so that they would not be able to eat from the tree of life, which would then make them immortal. He even put in place mighty angels and a flaming sword to guard the tree of life, and to ensure that they could not partake of it. While I am not a bible scholar, it is clear that humans living in a state of sinful immortality was not God's plan for us. This would have sealed humanities fate of living in sin for all eternity, with no chance of redemption through Christ who would come later.

So, from the beginning, even in God's discipline we see His mercy. Even in His banishment we see His blessings. This is not only true in Adam and Eve's story, it is true of us today. Any good parent wants what is best for their children, and discipline is a part of that love. Parents see the big picture for their children, and while discipline is painful in the moment, it will benefit the child in the long run. How much more, then, can we can trust God and His discipline? He sees the big picture of our life on this earth and throughout eternity, and knows what is best for us. Let us trust Him, even when it is painful.

AHE 591: Lesson 8

According to copyright.com, "copyright protection exists from the moment a work is created in a fixed, tangible form of expression. The copyright immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work." As we have discussed at length in this course over the summer, online learning has grown immensely in the 21st century, and will only continue to grow in the years to come. This means that the amount of original content that is produced by students in these online courses will only continue to grow, and will be permanently available in digital ink forever. Dr. Major posed the question, "Why is student intellectual property an important concept?" It's important because as human beings, we should strive for what is right and fair, and when it comes to intellectual property created by students in online courses, it is right and fair for every student to be given credit for what they create.

Dr. Major also asks, "What copyrightable materials might students create in online courses?" In my opinion, the list is endless. Prior to online courses, these materials mainly included written text. Now, students produce videos, PowerPoints, audio recordings, photography, music, and other media with relative ease. All of these materials can be considered copyrightable.

"How can we help ensure that students retain their right to their own content?" There is not a simple answer to this question, as I don't know of a perfect way to police it. Services like turnitin.com can use technology to compare student's original content to what has already been written. But, when it comes to the other types of media mentioned above, students must take it upon themselves to give credit to the original author, and teachers must make sure their students are creating original content and citing other's work.  

AHE 591: Lesson 7

Much like the Americans with Disabilities Act that was covered in last week's lesson, I must admit that I am probably not as well versed in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as I should be. My mode of operation when it comes to privacy laws in higher education is simply to use common sense, which is not to share a student's information with anyone else but that student. I am not a faculty member at my institution, and as such, I do not deal with student grades. I do, however, deal with and handle a lot of student information in my role as Technical Division Advisor. Below are a few of my responsibilities that pertain to handling private student information...

• Scholarships: I am the head of the Technical Scholarship Committee. This committee chooses which students majoring in a technical program are awarded a scholarship. The students who apply for this scholarship turn in their applications to me. These applications contain personal information, an area for the student to write about their goals and aspirations, and any attachments (resume, letters of recommendation, etc.) that they want to include.
• Potential Students: Every month, the Department of Institutional Research at my institution sends me an electronic list of the students who have applied for admission. This list contains all of the student's contact information that they enter on the admission application. I use this information to stay in touch with these potential students, and ensure that they eventually enroll at my college.
• WIA: I am also the main contact person at my institution for technical students who receive Workforce Investment Act funding. While they are enrolled in classes, these students have an active file that I must keep up-to-date with the amount of tuition, books, and supplies that they purchase each semester. I electronically apply the necessary funds each semester to each student's account.
• Marketing: Part of my job as Technical Advisor is to market all of our technical programs. I do this by posting information on social media outlets, such as Twitter and Facebook, about each program that we offer. These posts could include things such as highlights of how a particular program performed at a SkillsUSA competition, or pictures of technical students.

In all of my different roles described above, I am in some way, shape, or form handling student information that is considered private. When it comes to the written documentation, such as scholarship applications or WIA files, I am careful to not share this information with anyone else. When it comes to visual documentation, such as the pictures I take and use to market our technical programs, I always get the student to sign a waiver that gives me permission to use their picture for marketing purposes.

In regard to online learning, Dr. Major accurately stated in her blog this week that "the line between what is and what is not acceptable is not always clear, particularly in the case of social media, and this uncertainty can influence our actions and our experiences." When faculty, or staff for that matter, find ourselves in this gray area of what should remain private and what can be made public in online learning, I believe that we should err on the side of keeping the material private. There is more than enough public content online now to make for a rich online learning experience, and this will only grow over time. As I stated at the beginning of my blog post, we should use common sense when it comes to FERPA. We may not know every privacy law, but we should know what information is o.k. and beneficial to share with others, and what is not.

AHE 591 - Lesson 6

This week's topic on online learning and accessibility really forced me to think deeply about how anyone, no matter their physical limitations or otherwise, could be ensured that they can pursue a higher education. And, before I get too far into my post, I want to say that I greatly admire anyone who lives with a disability, but still decides to pursue a higher education. There are so many excuses that people can have for not going to college. Living with a disability can, and I'm sure does, block many people from achieving that accomplishment. For example, I shared a class with Sarah Eiland a couple of years ago, and she is a student with us in this AHE 591 course. She does not let a hearing impairment become an obstacle. She was a wonderful classmate, and contributed greatly to the course discussion. So, my admiration goes out to all those like her who go after their educational dreams!

Dr. Major ends her blog this week with the following questions. How do we, those of us working in institutions of higher education, honor and ensure this basic right to accessibility? How do we ensure online learning is accessible? After much thought, the only answer I could come up to these questions is this..."hard work." The 3PlayMedia piece sums up my thoughts quite succinctly. "Coordinating accessibility initiatives across a university can be time consuming, laborious, and sometime overwhelming. The costs are substantial and it's not always clear how to prioritize. Furthermore, the spectrum of disabilities makes it difficult to creat educational content that is universally accessible" (p. 19). With all of the varying documented disabilities that people have, it does seem overwhelming to think about how we as higher educational professionals can prepare for anyone who walks in our doors with a disability. However, there is a word in the quote above that provides a place where we can begin to find solutions, and that is "prioritize." Every college has an ADA Coordinator. If that person were able to look back on previous history and see what disabilities were more prevalent at their institution, then the college could take the proper steps to ensure that people with those disabilities were able to access all course work easily.

I am not saying this is an issue that should just be pushed to the ADA Coordinator. On the contrary, all higher education professionals have a part to play. "Instructional technologists and designers must be proactive and incorporate accessibility into all stages of course content development, as well as the selection of university hardware and software systems. Professors should make reasonable efforts to creat accessible content and work with students to pilot new e-learning practices. Administrators should review university buying practices, push for funding, and seek state and federal grant opportunities" (3PlayMedia, p. 19). I thought about my role as an Academic Advisor, and how I need to be prepared to help students with disabilities. I need to know the accomodations available to them, and how to properly guide them to the courses where they can be most successful.

In closing, I will repeat my earlier thought, and that is accessibility will take "hard work". There is no easy answer, and no silver bullet to automatically help all those with varying disabilities. If a person has the desire to pursue a higher education, but that person also lives with a disability, then it is incumbent upon the institution they are attending to make sure that the disability does not become an obstacle that the student cannot overcome.

AHE 591 - Lesson 5

This week's lesson is on the quality and outcomes of online learning, and whether or not it is significantly better than what students receive from offline learning. I am not, nor have I been, on the faculty side of the house in my experience working in higher education, but rather on the student affairs side. Therefore, I am not as well versed in having to come up with proper student learning outcomes as a faculty member would be. I would say, however, that this course has showed me that the quality of the online learning experience is slowly but surely improving every year. There is no doubt that online education is here to stay, and will only grow over time. The question is, will the quality of the online education experience catch up with the demand of people wanting a higher education?

The demand for higher education is certainly there. The Daphne Koller TED Talk emphasized this demand, showing just how important a higher education is to people. She talked about the mob scene at the University of Johannesburg recently, where thousands of people stormed the entrance of the institution just to try to get one of the few admission spots left. Many were injured, and one person lost her life. This encapsulates how much getting a higher education means to people around the world. Koller goes on to talk about her experience with Coursera, an online platform in which some of the leading minds and instructors in their field were able to teach their subject online for free to students around the world. The results were fascinating, particularly the fact that students from different parts of the world were able to help each other in real time with questions they had, and even graded each others homework! To me, this is when you know students are engaged, and true learning is taking place.

One of the questions Dr. Major poses this week is "how might we best gather data from online courses, and the students taking these courses?" I think we need to continue to inquire from faculty who teach online and offline courses about the engagement and learning that takes place with their students in both types of courses. Faculty who only teach offline courses might be biased toward thinking that is the best method, and faculty who only teach online courses might feel that is the best method. Getting feedback from those who teach both methods, in my opinion, will offer feedback that is more objective. But, more important is getting feedback from the students who take online courses. What is it about the online experience that makes it richer than the traditional lecture course? I can personally attest that, before I took AHE 591, I did not particularly enjoy the online courses I had taken. They provided in convenience in the fact that I could access the course material any time I wanted, but that was about it. I missed the interaction I had with my classmates, and the verbal discussions that would take place in the brick-and-mortar classroom. However, with the continued growth of using video in online courses, I can see the human, face-to-face interaction in online courses becoming just as good as what students would have in traditional lectures.

AHE 591: Lesson 4

As Dr. Major's stated in the beginning of her blog this week, a college education is vital in today's society if a person wants a career (not just a job) that will provide financial stability, as well as personal gratification. This is more true now than it ever has been. When I talk to high school students about the importance of going to college and earning a degree, I try to get them to think long-term, over the span of their lifetime. Most studies show that any type of college degree or certification compared to a high school diploma will mean substantial income growth. The individual with a higher education often earns $1,000,000 more over their lifetime as compared to the one with just a high school diploma. So, when viewed in this light, the cost of a college education seems well worth it.

However, as Dr. Major also pointed out, this cost continues to rise, with seemingly no end in sight. This is certainly true of four-year universities. For example, I did a Google search of "University of Alabama  tuition increase". The first four results were from articles in 2011, 2012, 2013, and just recently in 2014 where the UA Board of Trustees voted to increase tuition in each of those years. Community colleges tout their affordability as compared to the four-year institution, which is true. But even the yearly tuition costs at community colleges, which in Alabama approximately amounts to $4,000, can be steep for some. I see it everyday in my office, as students come in asking for financial help to ease the burden of paying for tuition, books, and tools if they are in a technical program.

So, if higher education is critical for individuals to attain, yet increasingly expensive and an obstacle more and more individuals cannot overcome, what is the answer? As we have been learning in this course, online education, especially in the form of MOOC's (massive open online courses) can be an avenue in which students can get a higher education at a low cost to them, possibly even free. This is a wonderful thing, and something that will no doubt continue to influence higher education as a whole. My question is in regard to credentialing for the organizations that provide MOOC's, such as Khan Academy and EdX. How will businesses and industries view an education that was earned via MOOC's? Will it be viable in the job market? And, how will MOOC's be accredited so that the public at large will know that this is a legitimate option for those pursuing a higher education?

Online learning is not the silver bullet that will solve the problem of accessibility and tuition costs in higher education. But, it is here to stay, and will only continue to grow throughout this century. My two-month-old son will graduate high school in the year 2032 (hopefully!). I fully expect him to go to college, but I am sure that his college "classroom" experience will include more hours in front of a computer, tablet, or maybe even a smart phone, than mine ever did. 

AHE 591: Lesson 3

While I wouldn't rate this week's readings as the most exciting I have read throughout my graduate coursework (no offense, Dr. Major :), it definitely was thought-provoking. I have never given any thought to state's having to regulate their institutions using distance education and online learning, but it certainly makes sense. I do think that it is a difficult thing to oversee, especially as the different forms of online learning continue to grow. Forgive me for using a college football analogy, but it made me think of the NCAA and their inability to make sure that every athletic program is following every recruiting rule in the rulebook to a "T". The really good coaches and recruiters know how to push the boundaries of the rules and operate in a gray area where they technically aren't breaking a rule. I can see the same happening over time with online learning. Colleges want to increase their enrollment and tuition dollars. So instead of being restricted to only their geographic service area or state, online learning essentially makes anybody who is living and breathing a potential student. Over time, I think college decision-makers and administrators will try to find ways to recruit the student(s) who lives on the other side of the country, and even the other side of the globe, if it means increased enrollment figures and more tuition revenue coming into the university.

I also echo the sentiment in Dr. Major's blog that "the primary question at hand is whether online learning has or will be able to provide meaningful access to higher education to those who need and want it." Before starting in my new position as an Advisor at Gadsden State Community College a couple of months ago, I was essentially a Recruiter for GSCC. I helped many high school seniors fill out admission, scholarship, and financial aid applications online. I would often ask students if they had Internet access at home, in case we couldn't finish the online application we were working on. Far too often, the student's answer was "no". And, it's not just about having a reliable Internet connection in order to take an online class in college. I taught an Orientation to College 101 class at GSCC for several years, and often I would have students who did not have basic software applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. In short, while access to higher education has certainly increased with the development of online learning, it is still an unlevel playing field, and honestly it probably always will be to some degree. As soon as those who are technologically behind catch up, there will be other technologies that will be required to take online courses that they may not have (i.e. webcams, App Store apps, etc.).

AHE 591: Lesson 2

The readings this week really made me think outside the box of how I have normally thought about online learning. First of all, I've never given much consideration to the different types of online learning that take place, such as the web facilitated, blended/hybrid, and online styles that the Allen and Seaman text describes. More specifically, I suppose I've never thought about who determines what proportion of the class will be deliver online, and what proportion, if any, will be delivered face-to-face? Does that decision come from instructor teaching the class, a division chair, or an academic dean? My ignorance on this topic stems from working on the student services side of the house in higher education.

Also of interest to me in the Allen and Seaman text was the section titled "Is Retention of Students Harder in Online Courses?" As an Advisor at Gadsden State Community College, one of my main responsibilities is to ensure that the students who are enrolled at my institution STAY at my institution, until they have either graduated or transferred. All of the literature I have read on retention basically says that an engaged student will be a retained student. The more a student is engaged academically and socially into their college environment, the more likely they are to stay until they reached their academic goals. My question is: as online offerings continue to increase, how do institutions engage students academically and socially if students rarely, or in some cases never, come on campus? I believe we can engage students in this way online, but it will take more than just getting them to "Like" our Facebook page or "Follow" us on Twitter. The online experience will somehow have to rival that of the on-campus experience. The Allen and Seaman text echo this sentiment. "Concern about retention is one of the rare areas where those experienced with online education have a more pessimistic view than those lacking such experience. An institution's online education experience does lead to a stronger conviction that it is harder to retain students in online courses" (p. 19).

On the flip side of this argument, online learning does have the capacity to help institutions retain students by offering them more course options. When classroom space is defined by brick-and-mortar buildings, space is limited, class seating gets filled up, and the course gets closed. Space is unlimited, however, with online course offerings. More course offerings can lead to students reaching their academic goals more quickly, and time has always been an enemy to retention and persistence to degree completion. The EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Reseach study backs this sentiment. "Online courses often help by increasing the number of sections of a course offered, the number of students who can take the course, or the frequency with which a course is offered. This can be especially helpful when students drop or fail out of prerequisite course that are a part of a major and have to retake them before advancing to the next course level" (p. 11).

AHE 591: Lesson 1

Greetings AHE 591! My name is Matthew Burttram. I am the Technical Division Advisor at Gadsden State Community College. I previously worked as a Career Coach at Gadsden State, and as Upward Bound Advisor at Snead State Community College. I have been married to my beautiful wife, Emily, for three years. We had our first child, Andrew, almost two months ago on April 8th. I am pursuing an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration, and take the majority of my classes through the UA Gadsden Center.

In regard to Lesson 1, I read "The Future of Higher Education" article by Pew Research. The article stems from a survey in which respondents were asked how much technology will change higher education by the year 2020. I enjoyed reading the varied responses of those who were surveyed. Some of the comments I heartily agree with, while others...not so much.

If I were surveyed, I am of the opinion that that technology will continue to change higher education over the next five-and-a-half years, particularly in how instruction is delivered. However, I do not see an upheaval of higher education any time soon because of technological advances in our society, nor would I recommend it, as some respondents suggested in the article. Here is why...

Much of what I read about technology is how it connects us and brings us closer together. But, I have found that in some ways technology does just the opposite. It often makes my relationships with others more shallow. When my relationship with someone is reduced to "liking" a Facebook post, or "retweeting" a Twitter message, there is a depth in the human experience that is lost. When it comes to education, proponents of using more technology seem to verbalize how information that was once only available to a select few (students who pay the outrageous tuition rates that universities require) is now available to everyone in the world with an Internet connection. This is true to some degree. But, I would also say that, personally, some of my richest, most memorable, learning experiences have happened in a brick-and-mortar lecture class. There is something to be said about interacting face-to-face with other students in a learning environment where there is a dynamic teacher imparting knowledge and leading classroom discussions. I hope that we who work in higher education are not quick to get rid of this type of experience.

I am all for using technology that is available to supplement the educational and learning experience. For those who have families to raise and full-time jobs, online learning may be the only way they can earn a degree. But, I agree with Matthew Allen, professor of Internet Studies at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. "Universities are not just portals where students access learning. They are places in which people develop as social beings, in some quite specifically institutional ways."

"Even so, we still want a king"

From Israel's humble beginnings as a nation through the time of Samuel the Prophet, the nation of Israel had seen God perform countless miracles. The Lord of Heaven's Armies, a name God calls Himself throughout the Old Testament, led His people, fought for His people, and won victory after victory for His people. Israel had never needed a human king, because God was their King, Ruler, and Warrior. Yet, it was not enough. Despite God telling the Israelites to be holy, and not like the other nations that surrounded them, here is their request to the Prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 8:5-9.

"'Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.' Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. 'Do everything they say to you,' the Lord replied, 'for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don't want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.'" (italics mine)

Samuel did warn them about the pitfalls that would come with having a human monarchy. "But the people refused to listen to Samuel's warning. 'Even so, we still want a king.' they said. 'We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.'" Romans 8:19, 20 (italics mine)

After reading about the persistence of Israel to be like the nations around them, my thoughts immediately went to what Paul wrote in Romans 12:2. "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (italics mine)

It was the custom for a nation to have a king, and Israel followed suit even though God called them to be set apart, a holy nation for His glory. The same call stands for us today. What behaviors and customs  of the world do we copy? What gods are we following that we have abandoned our true King for? Let's repent and let Jesus have his rightful place as King on the throne of our heart each day.

No Procrastination to the Cross

I think it is human nature to procrastinate when there is something lingering that needs to be done, but you don't want to do it. We are all guilty of it, some more than others. It might be that chore you dread on the to-do list at home that has been there for days or weeks, waiting to be crossed off (I'm familiar with that one!). Or, the homework assignment that can wait because right now the NCAA Tournament is on t.v., and you have to make sure the team you picked in your bracket wins (I may, or may not, be familiar with that one, too!). In any case, everyone is guilty at one point or another of putting tasks off that we don't look forward to doing.

In a MUCH greater sense, Jesus had a task that he knew must be done; paying for humanities sins on the cross. In his flesh, he did not look forward to doing it. We are familiar with the prayer he prayed on the night of his betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane. "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine" (Matthew 26:39). If there was ever a battle between the flesh and the Spirit, this was it. Eternity hung in the balance for all of mankind based on Jesus' decision to willingly go to the cross and die an excruciating death.

What has struck me this Easter weekend, though, was that Jesus was confronted with this decision not only that night in the garden, but everyday of his life. And everyday, he chose to save us. Below are some examples from scripture of the horrible task that Jesus knew awaited him, but he did not procrastinate. He pushed forward to complete the task of saving us.

"From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead." (Matthew 16:21)

"After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, 'The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.' And the disciples were filled with grief." (Matthew 17:22, 23)

"As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. 'Listen,' he said, 'we're going to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.'" (Matthew 20:18, 19)

"When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 'As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.'" (Matthew 26:1, 2)

"So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. Then he came to the disciples and said, 'Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look - the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let's be going. Look, my betrayer is here!" (Matthew 26:44 - 46, italics mine)

I once heard it said that the same tools that Jesus used in his daily work as a carpenter, a hammer and nails, were the same tools that were used to crucify him. Can you imagine your everyday job being a constant reminder of the horrible death that awaited you?  Every time Jesus put hammer to nail, it was a reminder of the price he would pay to save us. So, on this Good Friday, I give thanks to Jesus for choosing the cross that night in the garden. But, I also give him thanks for choosing the cross everyday of his life, never procrastinating in his task of moving toward Jerusalem and the day of his crucifixion.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy

How do you want to be remembered? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind for your family? When you are gone from this life, what will people say about you? These are questions that I think all of us ask ourselves from time to time. I know I do. As is always the case, God's Word perfectly sums up how I would want people to remember me. Psalm 112 tells me, and all of us, how to leave a legacy that will last.

"Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor." ~ Psalm 112:4 - 9

In the passage above, the word "generous" is stated three times. If you want to leave a lasting legacy, be a generous person. This certainly applies to money, but I think we often have an incorrect view of what being generous with our money means. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, has a net worth of $17.5 billion dollars, according to Forbes. His donations, such as a recent $500 million dollar gift to a charitable foundation in Silicon Valley, are well publicized. When I see donations like that in the "millions' of dollars, I wonder what difference could I make in comparison to such great wealth. And then I read Mark 12:41 - 44...

"Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow had given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.'"

In God's eyes, that widow gave more than Marck Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, or any other billionaire we hear about donating money on the news. While they give out of their surplus, the widow gave all she had.

Generosity is not just about giving money, though. It is also about giving our time and ability to help others. A great example of this is found in Acts 9:36 - 41...

"There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, 'Please come as soon as possible!' So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, 'Get up, Tabitha.' And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive."

The affection that people had for Tabitha in that region jumps off the page. Why? Because she was abundantly generous with her skills and abilities. I'm sure we all can think of "Tabitha's" in our own lives who are always doing kind things for others. Let them know that what they do is a blessing to you.

The unnamed widow who gave all she had and Tabitha are both great examples of how we can leave a lasting legacy. Neither were rich or powerful in the world's eyes. They simply gave their money and skills back to God, and as a result, their stories will be listed in God's Word for the rest of time! What a legacy! Let us leave legacies that will have similar impacts on those around us as we give our resources back to the One who gave them to us in the first place.

Psalm 51

As I was reading through Psalm 51 the other day, I was reminded of all the times when I sin of how often I tell God that I will repent, but find myself committing the same sin over again later that day or the next. Randy Gunter, Pastor at MeadowBrook, often reminds our church that it is God who saves us, but it is also God who sanctifies us. He does not leave it up to us to live the Christian life in our own power and strength after our salvation.

David understood this. He committed two of the worst crimes that a person could commit, adultery and murder, yet he knew that God was the one who would forgive him AND empower him to repent. I encourage you to read Psalm 51 below, and especially take notice of the bold, underlined verbs where David is asking God to take action in his life.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
  because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
  blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
  Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion;
  it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
  I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
  and your judgment against me is just.*
5 For I was born a sinner—
  yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb,*
  teaching me wisdom even there.

7 Purify me from my sins,* and I will be clean;
  wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
  you have broken me—
  now let me rejoice.
9 Don't keep looking at my sins.
  Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
  Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
  and don't take your Holy Spirit* from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
  and make me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
  and they will return to you.
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
  then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,
  that my mouth may praise you.

16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
  You do not want a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
  You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;
  rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
  with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
  Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

I don't so much struggle with the phrases like "blot out the stain of my sins," "purify me from my sin," or "forgive me". I know that I am powerless to cleanse myself from my sin, and that Jesus has forgiven me of my sin through his death on the cross and resurrection. But, I often forget that I am also powerless to live in repentance. God must do that work in me, too. Phrases like "renew a loyal spirit within me" and "make me willing to obey you" shows that David knew God must essentially be the one to provide forgiveness AND repentance in his life. David could not do either in his own strength.

This was something that the early church in Galatia struggled with. Paul wrote them, "Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?" (Galatians 3:2,3) In other words, they trusted in Christ for their salvation, but not for their sanctification. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, must do both of these works in us.

So what must we do? What part must we play? Paul told the Galatians, and tells us today, that we must ask the Holy Spirit to guide our lives, and to produce fruit that will bring glory to Christ. "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:16, 22-23)

Let us be reminded, through the example of David and the Galatians, that it is God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that empowers us to live the Christian life from start to finish. 

Pay It Forward

We all know of the phrase "pay it forward", where someone is on the receiving end of an act of kindness, and it is then their responsibility to do an act of kindness for someone else. We see a biblical picture of the "pay it forward" idea put into practice in the life of King David.

In 2 Samuel 7:18, we see David offering a prayer of thanks to God form taking him from a lowly shepherd boy to the King of Israel. "Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?" His prayer goes on throughout the rest of chapter 7, and we get a glimpse of the unworthiness and thankfulness he feels in the face of God's extravagant grace that he is experiencing.

In chapter 9, one of the first acts David does as king is to fulfill his vow to his friend Jonathan by showing kindness to family. He finds out that one of Jonathan's sons, Mephibosheth, is still alive, although he is crippled in both feet due to an accident detailed in 4:4. David sends for Mephibosheth to come visit him. To be sure, Mephibosheth had to be uneasy about David's intentions for the visit since he could be considered a threat to David's throne as a grandson to the former King Saul.

Instead, David quickly dispels any fears that Mephibosheth may have. "Don't be afraid! I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king's table!" (9:7) David takes the grace and goodness that God showed him, and shows that same grace and goodness to Mephibosheth. In short, he pays it forward.

What also strikes me is the similarity in the response of David to God showing him grace (7:18, see above), and Mephibosheth's response to David showing grace to him. "Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?" (9:8) Both knew that they had not done anything to deserve the grace that was shown to them, yet both of them received it with humility and thanksgiving. "And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king's table." (9:13)

We have been shown God's grace in His Son, Jesus Christ. "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege (or grace) where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory." (Romans 5:2) But, as we learn from David's example, this grace is not for us to keep to ourselves. We must share it with others. We must pay it forward.

Living in the New Nature

Proverbs 26:11 says, "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness." This is a verse that most of us are familiar with, but I think we only apply it when, for example, we see someone getting arrested multiple times for the same offense. "Oh well, that's just a fool returning to their folly," we might think. But this verse doesn't just apply to those who break the law, it applies to every single one of us, every day.

The imagery of that verse is gross to us as people because it is not in our nature to do that. I don't know why dogs are "wired" that way, but they just are. It is natural for them to do this. So, what does this have to do with us?

I have heard several conversations recently from people who claim to know Christ, but who are reading books, watching movies, or being involved in things that obviously do not glorify God. For whatever reason, whether it's because of the "everybody else is doing it" excuse, or maybe just the thrill of finding out what will happen, like Eve taking a bite of the fruit, these people do not realize or have forgotten what God's Word says about the new nature we have been given in Christ. 

In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul told them that "you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature (literally 'the flesh') urges you to do." (Romans 8:9,12) Also, 1 John 2:15 - 17 says, "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (emphasis mine)

My point is this. When we as Christians sin, in God's eyes it is just as bad, if not worse, than what a dog does as described in Proverbs 26:11. Just as it is in a dog's nature to do certain things that we might find repulsive, it is in the Christian's nature to find sin repulsive. If we have been forgiven and freed from sin, it shouldn't make sense for us to go back to it. Am I saying that we should be perfect? Absolutely not. As it says above, our flesh is urging us to sin each day, and I will be the first to admit that I sin and succumb to the flesh's urgings more than I should. But, through the Holy Spirit living within us, we can put these urgings to death. (Romans 8:13) So who do we turn to when we obey the flesh and sin? 1 John 2:1,2 says, "But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins - and not only our sins but the sins of all the world."


In closing, the nature we now possess through the Holy Spirit is not just about not sinning. It is about doing. "Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God." (Romans 7:4,6) When our faith is in Christ, we don't serve Him out of trying to be perfect, or "obeying the letter of the law" as Paul said. We serve Him out of gratitude for His forgiveness and grace that He gave to us on the cross. Let us live each day in the new, life-giving nature He has given us!

Living Water

It has been a dreadfully hot summer here in Alabama so far, and rainfall has been few and far between. Experiencing these drought-like conditions made me stop and think when I read through the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.

Today, we take water for granted. If we are thirsty, we can go to a faucet or sink in our home and fill our glasses with as much water as we like. It wasn't that easy in Jesus' day. "In Israel, people were keenly aware of water sources and water quality. Springs and rivers that ran all year were few, so the land relied on cisterns to catch and store the winter rains and wells to tap underground water tables." (NLT insert) Needless to say, as I am currently drinking a Dasani bottled water that says it is "enhanced with minerals for a pure, fresh taste", I am grateful for the time and location in which I live!

When Jesus told the Samaritan woman that he would give her "living water" (John 4:10), I've never known the significance of what that statement would have meant to her. "In Jewish culture, 'dead water' referred to standing and stored water. 'Living water' referred to moving water, as in rivers, springs, and rainfall. Such water was precious because it was fresh." (NLT insert) It then makes since why the woman would question Jesus about where he would get this "living water". She wanted to be satisfied and refreshed!

Of course, she was thinking about earthly, physical water that "anyone who drinks will soon become thirsty again." (4:13) Jesus, as he does throughout the book of John, uses this earthly example of water to reveal something spiritual about the Kingdom of God. "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." (4:14) Jesus makes this same declaration to the masses in John 7:37 - 39. "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.' (When he said 'living water,' he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)"

For those of us who have put our trust in Christ, we have this "fresh, bubbling spring" within us in the Holy Spirit. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, satisfies our spiritual thirst in every way, so let us never abandon the "fountain of living water and dig for ourselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all." (Jeremiah 2:13) Basically, how foolish it would be of us to look for spiritual satisfaction in any other source but Jesus now that we have tasted the "living water". But, let us also be reminded that others are in need of this water, too. People are thirsty for the truth, and we can be the one to lead them to the source of "living water".


So, the next time you are physically thirsty in this hot, Alabama summer, let it be a reminder of the "dead water" that once filled you, and of the "living water" that now springs up within you.

How Can A Hyssop Branch Point to Christ?

If you have read through the Old Testament, you have no doubt come across several scriptures that mention hyssop, or a hyssop branch. What is hyssop, and why is it important in the bible? Hyssop is a perennial flowering herb with aromatic, or fragrant, flowers. It belongs to the mint family and can be found growing in the wild. It has tall stalks with narrow leaves. In biblical times, they didnt have detergent, and the hyssop branch had detergent properties to it. It was used to clean clothing and temples.


Below are some Old Testament scriptures describing how hyssop was used. Hang with me, the point is coming at the end.


In the first Passover...


Exodus 12:22 "Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning."




In purification ceremonies...


Leviticus 14:49, 51 "To purify the house the priest must take two birds, a stick of cedar, some scarlet yarn, and a hyssop branch. He will take the cedar stick, the hyssop branch, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, and dip them into the blood of the slaughtered bird and into the fresh water. Then he will sprinkle the house seven times."




In David's repentance after committing adultery with Bathsheba...


Psalm 51:7 "Purify me from my sins (Hebrew: Purify me with the hyssop branch), and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."


Jesus, after his resurrection, told his disciples "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." (Luke 24:44) Who knew that this would even include a hyssop branch? John's detailed account of Jesus hanging on the cross takes on an even deeper meaning when we keep in mind how hyssop was used in the Old Testament. "Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, 'I am thirsty.'A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, 'It is finished!' Then he bowed his head and released his spirit." (John 19:28-30)


I've heard it said that Jesus doesn't just fulfill the Old Testament, he "fills it full". The hyssop branch is a great example of this. Just as God used the hyssop branch as a small part of rescuing the Israelites from the Egyptians in the first Passover, God used hyssop in the crucifixion of Jesus as He rescued us from death and has given us life. And just as hyssop was used to clean people physically, it is a reminder of the spiritual cleansing from our sins that Jesus has provided. 


The kicker for me, though, is that hyssop is a aromatic, fragrant flower. What does that have to do with anything, you ask? Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:2 to "live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." Yes, just as hyssop was a pleasing aroma in Old Testament sacrifices, Jesus was a pleasing aroma to God when he sacrificed himself for us. And since Jesus now lives in us through the Holy Spirit, we are the fragrance of Christ among everyone that we come in contact with each day (2 Corinthians 2:15).


I certainly didn't think I would blog about hyssop of all things, but I think it is incredible how God uses things like that to remind us of what Christ has done for us.

Authentic Faith

When I was in college at Alabama, my church back then (Calvary Baptist) would hold a Fall Retreat and Spring Retreat each year. It was simply a weekend to get away from the rigors of study to worship God and hear from His Word. Often, our speaker on those retreats would be Neil McClendon, who now pastors a church in Texas. One of his talks during our Fall Retreat in 2002 was recorded, and I listen to it occasionally on my iPod. This particular talk is entitled "Authentic Faith", and in it Neil shared some solid truths pertaining to living out who the Bible says we are in Christ.

I wanted to share this message with you, so that you might be blessed by the truths he shares from God's Word. Even though he is speaking to college students at the time of the recording, it applies to both young and old in every walk of life.

Just click play on the video and it will begin. The talk is about an hour long, so if you can't listen to it in one sitting, that's fine. I usually have to listen to it in parts myself. But, I think it will be well worth your time.