For several years now, I have been thinking, praying, and dreaming about how to help the children who grow up in homes where there appears to be little hope for success, even in the United States of America. For too long, I have watched millions of dollars spent on programs to help the nation's high school students emerge from the cycle of poverty and lack of education. Some have been helped, but for the most part the money has not been well-spent.
We have been watching the decline of public education, especially in the large cities of America. St. Louis, for example, had at one time one of the best public school systems in America. In fact, the first kindergarten in America was in the St. Louis Public Schools. We have seen learned educatiors come and go in their vain attempts to correct the many problems that are now associated with city schools. Part of the problem stems from the fact that the average tenure of a school superintendent is three years. In those three years, there cannot be long-range planning and our problems cannot be fixed in three years.
It is my conviction that we need to take the following steps to fix schools and in the process fix what is wrong with America.
1. Every parent of every newborn child must enroll in the Parents As Teacher Program. This program was the brain-child of Dr. Arthur L. Mallory when he was Commissioner of Education in the state of Missouri. PAT is now in every state of the union and in many foreign countries. PAT has a proven track record of success. Dr. Mallory is on board with what we are endeavoring to accomplish.
2. Parents and children need to be told and shown that there is no financial reason for the child not to have a post-secondary education. This needs to be continuously underscored in the kindergarten. Scholarships must be waiting for the children when they go through these programs and graduate of a secondary institution.
3. There must be after school financial literacy for the children beginning in kindergarten. Local churches can be the home for this activity. Through the third grade, various leaning and fun activities must be a vital part of this program. There will be field trips to various colleges and universities.
4. We must have dinners, think-tanks, and direction for parents which will be lead by Christian educators who have a track record for knowing what they are doing.
5. Colleges and universities must be visited and come on board with scholarships and other means of financial assistance.
We have begun the America's Scholarship Program where money will be placed in interest earning accounts for the kindergartner who goes through this program and graduates for high school. This is where the reader of this blog comes into play. I am asking interested people who feel this program makes sense to help us financially. Nine out of every ten dollars will go for scholarships. The other dollar is for administrative costs. I would ask you to pray about this and then give as the Lord leads. Make your check out to "One Accord-K." Your gift is tax deductible as One Accord is a 501-c-3 Not for profit corporation. Send your check to P. O. Box 1364, St. Charles, MO 63302. Understand that the results from this program will take place 13 years from next year's beginning of kindergarten.
Our children need your help and so does America.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
A SPECIAL KIND OF SERVANT
Hal Herweck, Jr. is my brother-in-law. That makes him the brother of my wife, Sue. Hal is a very interesting person who possesses energy "far above those of mortal men." He seems to never need sleep. He travels the world over in his job with Phoenix Textiles. He drinks Dr. Pepper. He has two children, Wendy and Trey. He has six grandchildren, who are so often the object of his affection. Hal's wife, Nancy, was the long-time organist at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in St. Charles.
In the early 1980's, Hal, along with Reverend Jay Piper began a gospel music program on KCLC-FM, a station located on the campus of Lindenwood University in St. Charles. The name of the Program is "Hooked on Gospel." Every Sunday morning at 5 am,"Hooked on Gospel" hits the airways on 89.1 on the FM Dial. Reverend Piper died shortly after the program began and Hal has been carrying on since. With music ranging from Contemporary to Southern Gospel to the old hymns, Hal goes into countless homes each week endeavoring to uplift the Christian and share Jesus with those who are unsaved. While on the staff of First Baptist Church of St. Charles, along with his radio program, Hal began reaching young people at St. Charles High School. He has a keen interest in sports, especially high school wrestling and football. In 1982, St. Charles won the state championship in football and Hal developed and published all kinds of spirit items for fans to take to the final game in Kansas City. Until Steve Jacob retired as Athletic Director at SCHS, there was a poster that Hal printed that was hanging in the window of Jacob's office at SCHS.
Hal is a life-time St. Louis Cardinals' fan. Still, he often goes to games and lives and dies with the Cardinals. He is a season ticket holder. His entire family joins him in their support of the Redbirds. In fact, Cardinals' baseball is almost religion to all of the Herwecks.' Hal played church softball into his 60's when he suffered a leg injury that forces him to not only limp, but walk with a cane. In spite of this handicap, he continues his trips abroad even though it is extremely difficult for him to get around. An interesting thing about Hal is he never complains. Not one complaint have I ever heard come from his lips.
Now in the latter part of 2009, Hal continues to arise early on Sunday mornings, make his way to KCLC and continue his ministry. He is the personification of continuing to do what he has always done when everything says "STOP!" Hal is a true servant and is doing everything he can to help son Trey with his young church The Refuge.
Hal is a huge supporter of sister Sue and her writing Christian music. He often has her on his program as she shares her talent with the audience that continues to grow. The world says: "Stop Serving!" Hal continues to ignore this and probably will until the Lord calls him homes and says "Well done, good and faithful servant."
In the early 1980's, Hal, along with Reverend Jay Piper began a gospel music program on KCLC-FM, a station located on the campus of Lindenwood University in St. Charles. The name of the Program is "Hooked on Gospel." Every Sunday morning at 5 am,"Hooked on Gospel" hits the airways on 89.1 on the FM Dial. Reverend Piper died shortly after the program began and Hal has been carrying on since. With music ranging from Contemporary to Southern Gospel to the old hymns, Hal goes into countless homes each week endeavoring to uplift the Christian and share Jesus with those who are unsaved. While on the staff of First Baptist Church of St. Charles, along with his radio program, Hal began reaching young people at St. Charles High School. He has a keen interest in sports, especially high school wrestling and football. In 1982, St. Charles won the state championship in football and Hal developed and published all kinds of spirit items for fans to take to the final game in Kansas City. Until Steve Jacob retired as Athletic Director at SCHS, there was a poster that Hal printed that was hanging in the window of Jacob's office at SCHS.
Hal is a life-time St. Louis Cardinals' fan. Still, he often goes to games and lives and dies with the Cardinals. He is a season ticket holder. His entire family joins him in their support of the Redbirds. In fact, Cardinals' baseball is almost religion to all of the Herwecks.' Hal played church softball into his 60's when he suffered a leg injury that forces him to not only limp, but walk with a cane. In spite of this handicap, he continues his trips abroad even though it is extremely difficult for him to get around. An interesting thing about Hal is he never complains. Not one complaint have I ever heard come from his lips.
Now in the latter part of 2009, Hal continues to arise early on Sunday mornings, make his way to KCLC and continue his ministry. He is the personification of continuing to do what he has always done when everything says "STOP!" Hal is a true servant and is doing everything he can to help son Trey with his young church The Refuge.
Hal is a huge supporter of sister Sue and her writing Christian music. He often has her on his program as she shares her talent with the audience that continues to grow. The world says: "Stop Serving!" Hal continues to ignore this and probably will until the Lord calls him homes and says "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Friday, August 28, 2009
ONE OF GOD'S GREAT SERVANTS
It was a special and fortunate day for me when I was privileged to meet Gordon Kingsley, Jr. Gordon is the son of a Baptist preacher who had a special gift of reaching young people for Jesus. Gordon did not fall far from the tree. He is a scholar, orator, humorist, athlete, and friend.
Gordon has pastored churches, taught English in college, been a dean of faculty, and finally president of William Jewel College in Liberty, MO. Following his retirement from Jewel, he went to be the Headmaster at Harlaxton College in Great Britain. He remains in that position today. Gordon's quiet personality and quick wit often take you by surprise when having conversation. His work as an orator is 2nd to not many.
About 20 years ago, Gordon gave the baccalaureate address at William Jewell, in which he quoted these gentle and relevant lines that he adapted from Robert Fulghum.
All Gordon really needed to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, he learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of you university mountain, but there in the sandbox at kindergarten. These are the things he learned:
Share Everything
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that are not yours.
When you hurt somebody, say "I'm sorry."
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Every day, learn a little, and think a little and
draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work
and love, every day, a little.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the big world, watch out for
traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be full of wonder. Remember the little seed in the
yoghurt carton. The roots go down and the plant goes
up and nobody really knows how or why. but it does
and we are all like that.
Cats and hamsters and white mice and puppy-dogs and
even the little seed in the yoghurt carton - they all
die. So do we.
But always remember the first word you learned in the
first book you read, the biggest word of all: LOOK.
SEE.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The
Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and
politics and equality and sane living.
You can build a life on this. Or a government. Or a world.
Think what a better place it would be if all of us - the whole world - had cookies and milk at three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if all governments had a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are, no matter where you are on this crazy, mixed-up planet - when you go out into the world, it is always best, to hold hands and stick together.
Special servant-leader, thy name is Gordon Kingsley.
Gordon has pastored churches, taught English in college, been a dean of faculty, and finally president of William Jewel College in Liberty, MO. Following his retirement from Jewel, he went to be the Headmaster at Harlaxton College in Great Britain. He remains in that position today. Gordon's quiet personality and quick wit often take you by surprise when having conversation. His work as an orator is 2nd to not many.
About 20 years ago, Gordon gave the baccalaureate address at William Jewell, in which he quoted these gentle and relevant lines that he adapted from Robert Fulghum.
All Gordon really needed to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, he learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of you university mountain, but there in the sandbox at kindergarten. These are the things he learned:
Share Everything
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that are not yours.
When you hurt somebody, say "I'm sorry."
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Every day, learn a little, and think a little and
draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work
and love, every day, a little.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the big world, watch out for
traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be full of wonder. Remember the little seed in the
yoghurt carton. The roots go down and the plant goes
up and nobody really knows how or why. but it does
and we are all like that.
Cats and hamsters and white mice and puppy-dogs and
even the little seed in the yoghurt carton - they all
die. So do we.
But always remember the first word you learned in the
first book you read, the biggest word of all: LOOK.
SEE.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The
Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and
politics and equality and sane living.
You can build a life on this. Or a government. Or a world.
Think what a better place it would be if all of us - the whole world - had cookies and milk at three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if all governments had a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are, no matter where you are on this crazy, mixed-up planet - when you go out into the world, it is always best, to hold hands and stick together.
Special servant-leader, thy name is Gordon Kingsley.
Friday, August 7, 2009
"DO YOU BELIVE IN ANGELIC INTERVENTION?"
The winter edition of Baylor Magazine featured a story about what Americans think and believe about angelic beings. "The co-directors of the Institute for Studies of Religion were surprised when more than half of those responding to their latest survey on religious belief said that a guardian angel protected them. Fifty-five percent of Americans surveyed - not just evangelicals, but the entire United States -agreed with the statement, 'I was protected from harm by a guardian angel.'
Dr. Rodney Stark describes the result as 'extraordinary' in a new book detailing the findings called WHAT AMERICANS REALLY BELIEVE. 'I would have believed 10 percent or less would have had an experience with a guardian angel.'
Stark also tells a story that a journalist related to him at a news conference where the survey results were unveiled. She recounted her own experience of years before, when she was pregnant. Wearing high heels, she stepped off a curb and started to fall. Before she hit the ground, she felt hands on her arms, lifting her up. But when she looked around, no one was there. She believes a guardian angel saved her from harm.
Another man reported to the Baylor researchers his account of being pulled from a burning car by a rescuer he never saw."
I am wondering if any of you blog viewers have had experiences such as these. Talk about servant leaders, angelic beings must be counted at least as servants.
Dr. Rodney Stark describes the result as 'extraordinary' in a new book detailing the findings called WHAT AMERICANS REALLY BELIEVE. 'I would have believed 10 percent or less would have had an experience with a guardian angel.'
Stark also tells a story that a journalist related to him at a news conference where the survey results were unveiled. She recounted her own experience of years before, when she was pregnant. Wearing high heels, she stepped off a curb and started to fall. Before she hit the ground, she felt hands on her arms, lifting her up. But when she looked around, no one was there. She believes a guardian angel saved her from harm.
Another man reported to the Baylor researchers his account of being pulled from a burning car by a rescuer he never saw."
I am wondering if any of you blog viewers have had experiences such as these. Talk about servant leaders, angelic beings must be counted at least as servants.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
A TIME OF GREAT FELLOWSHIP, LISTENING, & LEARNING
Last night, Sue and I had dinner with Lou and Jackie Brock. The Brocks were both tired from the many recent activities that have called for their help. The recent All-Star Baseball game that was held in St. Louis demanded their presence at many of the events that surround this special game. Then shortly after that event, they made their way to Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Lou, of course was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1985. He and Jackie make contributions not only with Hall of Fame events, but they add a spiritual dimension for the great players of the past. When Jackie Brock prays, heaven is brought much closer to earth, and that is more than a good thing. Arriving back in St. Louis from Cooperstown, the Brocks had to speak at the travel convention of which they were a part. When we picked them up last night, their luggage had not been unpacked.
At the restaurant, I began to share with Sue, Jackie, and Lou about the proposed Kindergarten program which is close to my heart. I shared with them that the research clearly shows that children in the Parents As Teachers program do well and are prepared for the learning experience that awaits them in school. I shared that I wanted kindergarten teachers to share with their students that there was no financial reason for them not to have a post-secondary experience. I did not sense much response from the Brocks until Lou said I had hit the warm spot in his heart. We began to share how we can make this work. Jackie, a former teacher, indicated that we should not forget the older children and I shared with her how this is part of the overall program.
If anyone thinks Lou Brock was just a great baseball player and the "Base Burglar" as he was called in his playing days, they are dead wrong. He is deep into the Bible and a strong believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. He and Jackie make a great team as they work together to accomplish so much. Serving Leaders, your names are Lou and Jackie Brock.
At the restaurant, I began to share with Sue, Jackie, and Lou about the proposed Kindergarten program which is close to my heart. I shared with them that the research clearly shows that children in the Parents As Teachers program do well and are prepared for the learning experience that awaits them in school. I shared that I wanted kindergarten teachers to share with their students that there was no financial reason for them not to have a post-secondary experience. I did not sense much response from the Brocks until Lou said I had hit the warm spot in his heart. We began to share how we can make this work. Jackie, a former teacher, indicated that we should not forget the older children and I shared with her how this is part of the overall program.
If anyone thinks Lou Brock was just a great baseball player and the "Base Burglar" as he was called in his playing days, they are dead wrong. He is deep into the Bible and a strong believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. He and Jackie make a great team as they work together to accomplish so much. Serving Leaders, your names are Lou and Jackie Brock.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
ALWAYS A BLESSING
Dr. Arthur L. Mallory is a hero of mine. I used to have several heroes. Now I have three, Arthur, Stan Musial, and Billy Graham. Graham and Musial are nearing the end of their lives and both have been consistent in the kind of individual each is. I know Arthur knows more about education than anyone I know. Having served as president of Missouri State University and Commissioner of Education for the state of Missouri, Arthur is always willing to share. The idea for Parents As Teacher (PAT) was Arthur's and PAT is now in every state and several foreign nations. Arthur calls PAT Missouri's best export. We continue to work on our kindergarten program and visualize what an impact it can make on our nation. Part of the problem in establishing the kindergarten program is a great problem in education. The average tenure of superintendents of schools is three years. This is one reason schools do not implement visionary programs. All of us know that 13 years is a drop in the bucket in the sequence of time. In those few years, we could change schools dramatically and reinvent our cities. Arthur used that thought saying this program could "Reinvent the City of St. Louis." During my last visit to Springfield, he and I met and continued to brainstorm on how to get this program from a thought to reality. Meeting with Arthur is always a blessing.
I am ready for Sue to come home. She has been incredibly busy with her chosen career. The good thing about her schedule is that she is doing something she loves to do. All too few of us can claim we are doing something we love to do. We might like it, but we do not have the passion about what we are doing compared to Sue's passion for writing Christian songs.
Some of us from my high school graduation class are endeavoring to put together a reunion for at least three classes. This would bring together several folks we have not seen since graduating in a previous century. In all my years at Greenwood (starting in kindergarten through high school graduation), there were only two guys that i did not like. Sadly, I still do not like them because they were bullies. I wonder if I am the only person who had that kind of experience during school years.
I have been so negligent to writing a blog. I am going to do better. Even a few lines is better than what i have been doing.
I am ready for Sue to come home. She has been incredibly busy with her chosen career. The good thing about her schedule is that she is doing something she loves to do. All too few of us can claim we are doing something we love to do. We might like it, but we do not have the passion about what we are doing compared to Sue's passion for writing Christian songs.
Some of us from my high school graduation class are endeavoring to put together a reunion for at least three classes. This would bring together several folks we have not seen since graduating in a previous century. In all my years at Greenwood (starting in kindergarten through high school graduation), there were only two guys that i did not like. Sadly, I still do not like them because they were bullies. I wonder if I am the only person who had that kind of experience during school years.
I have been so negligent to writing a blog. I am going to do better. Even a few lines is better than what i have been doing.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
SPECIAL TIMES
The last two weeks have been very special. First, Sue and I flew to Dallas to attend the high school graduation of our oldest granddaughter, Lauren Lucas. Lauren is the daughter of our oldest daughter, Jamie and her husband Kendall. We were met at the airport by son Rick, who lives in Dallas. This was on Thursday and after arriving in Dallas, I spent a few hour riding with Rick for some errands he was facing. Friday evening was the big event and Sue, Rick and I ventured to Denton, TX and the home of the Lucas family. There awaiting us were Kendall's mother and step-father. Kendall's father passed away a number of years ago and she married a fine Christian man some time following the death of John Lucas. Later, daughter Holly, son-in-law Guy and their children arrived. It is usually a whirlwind when Holly, Guy, Jacob, Houston, and Violet arrive on the scene. This time was no exception. Always fun to have at least part of the family together. The graduation was held on the campus of North Texas University, where Lauren will attend college next year.
On Saturday, we had a reception for Lauren at the home of Rick and Cindy in Dallas. This time, all of our family was there as Cindy, Rick's wife and their daughter Hudson joined us. This was a great time of fellowship, watching the children play on the trampoline, drive Hudson's little car behind the garage, play ping-pong, play basketball before eating the terrific dinner.
In the evening, we went to the Texas Theater to view Hudson's dance recital. It was terrific. By the way, the Texas Theater was where the authorities found Lee Harvey Oswald following the assassination of President John Kennedy.
Sunday, Sue and I drove back to Denton for the worship services of the Denton Bible Church. Kendall is worship leader there and Tommy Nelson is their great pastor. He is always more than terrific when preaching or leading a Bible Study.
Monday, it was back to St. Louis and facing a busy week. Tuesday evening, my friends Dan Bench, who is the CEO of Windermere Conference Center at the Lake of the Ozarks, and Arthur Mallory, my friend who knows more about education than anyone I know, were to meet at the Stan Musial statue that stands in front of Busch Stadium. We were late because of a truck burning on I-70 and traffic was backed up almost to St. Louis International Airport. We finally arrived and went to the Media entrance where we were to meet up with Lou and Jackie Brock. They were late because of the truck burning. While we waited, we met John Mozailak, the General Mananger of the Cardinals, John Utlett, the PA announcer and finally went into a dining room to eat and wait for Lou and Jackie. Upon their arrival, they suggested that we go into the ballpark and find our seats. WHAT SEATS THEY WERE!!!! Second row next to the Cardinals' dugout. Sue could almost hold hands with Cardinals manager, Tony LaRussa. In the stadium, we met the Cardinals' owners and I met Jack Clark, a former slugger for the Cardinals when Whitey Herzog was the manager. After the game, we met former Cardinals' pitchers Cal Eldred and Alan Benes. Tony LaRussa came through where we were and that was a bit exciting. Sue wanted Lou to sign a ball for a friend of Holly's,but left the ball in our car. Jackie suggested that we come by after the game and have Lou autograph the ball. It was there that the evening concluded with Jackie, who is a great prayer warrior, led us in prayer.
By the way, we are praying about Lou Brock having a baseball camp with some good Christian stuff at Windermere.
I'm tired after writing all of this.
BLESSINGS on you who read this and those who don't.
On Saturday, we had a reception for Lauren at the home of Rick and Cindy in Dallas. This time, all of our family was there as Cindy, Rick's wife and their daughter Hudson joined us. This was a great time of fellowship, watching the children play on the trampoline, drive Hudson's little car behind the garage, play ping-pong, play basketball before eating the terrific dinner.
In the evening, we went to the Texas Theater to view Hudson's dance recital. It was terrific. By the way, the Texas Theater was where the authorities found Lee Harvey Oswald following the assassination of President John Kennedy.
Sunday, Sue and I drove back to Denton for the worship services of the Denton Bible Church. Kendall is worship leader there and Tommy Nelson is their great pastor. He is always more than terrific when preaching or leading a Bible Study.
Monday, it was back to St. Louis and facing a busy week. Tuesday evening, my friends Dan Bench, who is the CEO of Windermere Conference Center at the Lake of the Ozarks, and Arthur Mallory, my friend who knows more about education than anyone I know, were to meet at the Stan Musial statue that stands in front of Busch Stadium. We were late because of a truck burning on I-70 and traffic was backed up almost to St. Louis International Airport. We finally arrived and went to the Media entrance where we were to meet up with Lou and Jackie Brock. They were late because of the truck burning. While we waited, we met John Mozailak, the General Mananger of the Cardinals, John Utlett, the PA announcer and finally went into a dining room to eat and wait for Lou and Jackie. Upon their arrival, they suggested that we go into the ballpark and find our seats. WHAT SEATS THEY WERE!!!! Second row next to the Cardinals' dugout. Sue could almost hold hands with Cardinals manager, Tony LaRussa. In the stadium, we met the Cardinals' owners and I met Jack Clark, a former slugger for the Cardinals when Whitey Herzog was the manager. After the game, we met former Cardinals' pitchers Cal Eldred and Alan Benes. Tony LaRussa came through where we were and that was a bit exciting. Sue wanted Lou to sign a ball for a friend of Holly's,but left the ball in our car. Jackie suggested that we come by after the game and have Lou autograph the ball. It was there that the evening concluded with Jackie, who is a great prayer warrior, led us in prayer.
By the way, we are praying about Lou Brock having a baseball camp with some good Christian stuff at Windermere.
I'm tired after writing all of this.
BLESSINGS on you who read this and those who don't.
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