Chuck Locklear
fascinating characters, impactful books and messages
Consider the Options
Sometimes there is clearly a best choice in life. More often than not, however, I’ve found the situation more ambiguous. For this reason, it is critical to remember: there are options to consider.
Avoid locking in too quickly.
In high school, the people who face tough decisions daily are the assistant principals. One assistant principal that I greatly admired was Diane Kennedy. Diane was known as “Sister Jemma,” because of her ability to consistently provide stern but “divinely inspired” counsel. She demonstrated this skill with the “infamous Taco Bell incident.”
Infamous Taco Bell Incident
This incident began in the Taco Bell dining room as an argument over a girl. If there is an argument between two male students, it typically is over a girl. It turns out that Tiffany, the girl, and her new boyfriend, Kyle, were in the restaurant, as was her old boyfriend, Liam. You guessed it; words were exchanged and it escalated into name calling. The conflict moved out into the parking lot. Someone threw a drink. They missed the target and hit the car of a bystander.
Now, a dozen students or witnesses were drawn into the incident. More food is thrown. Alexa’s boyfriend, Jason, gets so angry that he punches Liam. The Taco Bell manager runs out of the restaurant yelling, “You kids better get out of here. I’ve called the police.” Of course, she did not call the police. She knew that these “kids” are students at my school.
A Break In the Case
Diane started investigating immediately. At one point, the office was full with witnesses, alleged victims, and alleged offenders, each with a competing version of the truth regarding what happened and who was at fault. There were some innocent bystanders, but not many. In reality, all of these students were on one side or another. Most had a part in pushing the situation to the ultimate conclusion.
Not surprising to any of the staff in the office, at one point, Liam is in Diane’s office and I can see that he is crying, baring his soul with great contrition. In this case, as in many others, the boys are easy. After Diane was done with him, Liam was more than willing to take complete responsibility. However, as she had learned from experience, the girls were likely not innocent.
There Are Always Options
The break came from one of the witnesses who mentioned a Facebook post from Alexa alleging that Liam had acted less than honorably toward Tiffany. It was this statement that Kyle was responding to when he made the verbal accusation in Taco Bell that started the entire incident.
The lesson is the sooner you start considering the options, the more options there will be. Avoid locking in too quickly. If you do, you limit the options. This reminds me of a quote from John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach at UCLA: “…it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts most.”
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
James 1:5
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Brain Development.
Bible Stories
I grew up hearing Bible stories, in Sunday school and later, as a young adult, sitting in wooden-pews. I have fond memories of my father teaching from his old King James Bible. In his lessons, I learned about my Heavenly Father.
The stories he told were not of cartoon characters from my children’s illustrated Bible. They were real life stories, with battles, blood, and guts. In them, angels and devils struggled against one another, with the outcomes of regular men and women hanging in the balance. There were stories of murderers, prostitutes, heroes, and deceivers. These were certainly not rated-G stories.
My Father’s Bible
Lately, I have been doing a lot of cleaning around my house and found one of my dad’s Bibles. I read the handwritten notes and highlighted sections, and they connected me to memories of my father. I could hear his voice and see him sitting in his chair reading from this vary Bible.
My father studied this Bible. He spent hours reading it. It wasn’t because he was trying to become a Bible scholar. For him, It was about spending time with his Heavenly Father. It was about a friend he had found in Jesus many years earlier. I hope to pass these stories and my love for Jesus on to my own grandchildren. I hope to teach them the lessons that I have learned over the years.
Hand Written Notes
In flipping through my dad’s Bible, I found a highlighted section in Joshua chapter 10. It is the story of the day that Joshua prayed, saying, “Sun, stand still and moon stand in place, until God has delivered our enemies into our hands.” So, the sun stopped in the heavens and stayed there for almost twenty-four hours—all because of the prayer of one man.
I found another amazing story from the Book of Joshua. Joshua sent out two spies to examine the fighting force of city of Jericho. The spies hid in house of Rahab, which was constructed into the city wall. She covered them under bunches of flax on the roof, protecting them from capture. Many might be surprised to learn that Rahab… the prostitute… is in Jesus’ family tree. She was a grandmother to King David.
In Acts, I found a hand written note about the miracles performed at the hands of the Apostle Paul. In Acts chapter 19, we read of the seven sons of Sceva. They decided to copy Paul and perform miracles using the name of Jesus. This story is like a scene out of the movie “The Exorcist.”
Gideon’s Victory
I found another highlighted section in Judges chapter seven. It is the amazing story of Gideon. The army of Israel was camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them. “They were like a multitude of grasshopper, and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side.” In all, there were 132,000 Midianites who had come to destroy the people of God.
Amazingly, the Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men.” He told Gideon to send home anyone who was afraid. “So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.”
But, God did not stop there. “There are still too many men.” He said, “Take them down to the water and separate those who lap the water as a dog laps.” Only three hundred drank from cupped hands as a dog laps. So that they would be alert to an approaching enemy. Everyone else got down on their knees to drink the water.
Focus On God
Here at the stream of Herod, the Lord said, “With these three hundred men, I will save you. Let all the others go home.” And, God did deliver the 132,000 Midianites into the hands of Gideon, with just 300 soldiers.
The lesson is don’t focus on what you don’t have, instead, focus on God. What you don’t have doesn’t matter, use what God has given you for his glory.
We can come near to God through the pages of his Word. I am thankful for the example of an earthly father who has shown me how to draw close God. You can learn from these same Bible stories.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Victorious.
Relentless
Do you know someone like this? I know people that wear this label like a badge of honor. They are hard-headed, and cannot be convinced to change their minds, no matter what. Yes, time is inexorable. relentless, unstoppable, but we don’t have to be. We can change.
While Moses, in the Bible, was a thinker, he was not inexorable. He made the decision to trust God, even though he didn’t understand it all.
I love God’s response to Moses’ question, “Who shall I tell them has sent me?” God answers, “I am that I am,” leaving it at that. “I am” provides many metaphors to strengthen God’s followers throughout the ages. In the Gospel of John, Jesus lays out a long list of comforts to those willing to trust in him. “I am the bread of life,” “the light,” “the door,” “the Good Shepherd,” “the resurrection,” “the way, the truth, and the life,” and “the true vine.”
No matter the ups and downs in our life, Jesus is an everlasting friend, never too busy for us, sustaining us when life seems overwhelming. We cannot control time’s inexorability. Just when things seem under control, something new pops up. But, we are blessed with the stability of the Great I Am. We might wish that life would stay the same, but progress is inexorable.
Since we can’t stop it, let’s decide to prosper in the face of the inexorability of time. In other words, since time marches on, We Should Get On God’s Train.
There is an old saying, “Time waits for no one, it passes us by.” The first part of this is definitely true, “Time waits for no one,” but time doesn’t have to pass you by. You can get on the train. You can say “Yes” to God and “Yes” to his plans for your life. Look at it this way; a year from now, you could be standing in the same place, watching time pass you by. Or, you can get on God’s train and see all the wonders he opens up in your life.
Time maybe relentless, but we don’t have to be. While you might not understand it all, and you may not have complete control, you can trust him. Jesus loves you and came to earth to better understand you. So, you certainly can get on the train and enjoy the ride.
“Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?
“I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:13-14
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Victorious Living.
It’s About Time
Inexorable means relentless, unstoppable. An inexorable person is hard-headed and cannot be convinced to change their mind, no matter what. I definitely don’t want to be that kind of person. However, inexorable is an accurate description of time. Time waits for no one. Just when things seem under control, something new pops up.
Time Waits For No One
Lizzy and I live off of one of the busiest roads in Macomb County: Hall Road. It is an eight lane highway. Although, this wasn’t always so. When we moved to the area, Hall Road was two lanes through the country. Nowadays, it is always under construction, which means traffic and delays. Recently, I was waiting in a long line of traffic to make a left-hand turn. Inching along, it was painfully slow. When I finally got to the front of the line, ready to make my turn, there was a construction worker holding a sign that read: “Slow.” Ha, someone did not think that one through.
Moses, in the Bible, was a thinker. He valued logic and reason. Most of us learned the story of Moses in Sunday school. In the first two chapter of Exodus, we find out how the life of Moses began.
“Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. ‘Look,’ he said to his people, ‘the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.’”
Exodus 1:8-10, NIV
God Had a Plan
In this passage, we see the inexorability of the passage of time. Joseph was a great man of God, whom the Lord had blessed to be second in command under Pharaoh. Because of this, he brought his entire family to live in peace and prosperity in the land of Egypt, but time passed and a king arose that knew nothing of Joseph. This king was fearful of the Hebrew people. He resolved to stop their growth in the land and so made a terrible decree that every Hebrew boy must be kill.
So, it was that Moses’ mother desired to hide her baby.
“But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.” Exodus 2:3
Of course, the rest of the story is that the daughter of Pharaoh found the baby in the basket. She felt sorry for him and decided to raise Moses as her own, which meant that he was given all the best that Egypt had to offer.
Moses Was Prepared
His education served Moses well as he established the legal code for the nation of Israel and even served as judge. In Egypt, he studied science, law, architecture, writing, history, and mathematics. All of this education was required for the role God had planned for him, being the leader of a new nation.
God provides us the preparation needed to for the role he has prepared for us. It is amazing to me that for most of us, one or two generations ago, our ancestors could not even read or write, and today we have access to a world-class education, one many of us take for granted.
How do we prosper regardless of the inexorability of time? Make good use of the lessons God has provided. Instead of being an inexorable and hard-headed person. Ask God to make you flexible enough to apply your lessons to your life.
“And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.”
Acts 7:22, ASV
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Victorious Living.
Hovercraft Science
One of the more fun science project Lizzy did as the Queen of Science was building a hovercraft with a CD. It is a fun and easy way to teach students about physics. I see no conflicts between my faith in God and my knowledge of science. God is the creator of the universe; my role is to learn as much about it as possible.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
Hovercrafts work on the principle of Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which describes what happens to a body when it exerts a force on another body. This law states that there is an equal and opposite reaction for every action. In other words, the bodies apply forces on each other that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
An inflated balloon holds pressurized gas. When the balloon’s mouth is released, the air flows out freely with pressure, creating a cushion of air beneath the CD. By placing a water bottle cap over the center hole of the CD, the opening can be restricted, causing the balloon to push its air out more slowly.
The thin layer of air cushion created underneath the CD makes it move further and faster by reducing the friction between the ground and the hovercraft.
Materials
- Hot glue gun
- Plastic pullout water bottle cap
- CD
- Balloon
Eight Easy Steps
- Apply the hot glue on the ring around a plastic pullout bottle cap.
- Quickly align the bottle cap to the center of the CD and firmly press the cap against the CD.
- Close the bottle cap.
- Inflate the balloon.
- Stretch the mouth of the balloon over the bottle cap.
- Place the hovercraft on a flat surface and open the bottle cap.
- Move the hovercraft. It should take very little force.
- When the balloon deflates, inflate it again to repeat the process.
The Next Best Thing
For Lizzy and I, this project led to the next logical step, creating a full-size hovercraft using an old leaf blower that I had around the house. She took it to school and the principal allowed the students to lineup for rides down the hallway.
Delighting in science teaches about our world. Building a hovercraft can provide an appreciation for the creator, maker of heaven and earth.
“Great are the works of the Lord; They are studied by all who delight in them.”
Psalm 111:2, NASB
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Science Can Be Fun.
Over Thinking
I have been blessed with a wonderful education, and, like Moses, I too am a thinker. This sometimes gets in the way of my faith. Thinkers want answers. They seek scientific proof for everything. Lesson two, to allow us to prosper, regardless of the fact that time is inexorable, is Don’t Over Think. Our over thinking can get in the way of our faith. With many of the more difficult questions of life, we just need to trust God.
Burning Bush
It is not surprising that when God appeared in the burning bush, Moses went to investigate. A true thinker, he wanted to understand what kept the flame burning without consuming the bush. So, like a scientist, Moses went to investigate, which provided the opportunity for God to give him the mission to lead God’s people out of their misery in the land of Egypt.
“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.’”
Exodus 3:7-8
As a thinker, Moses’ investigation brought this response to God:
“Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
Exodus 3:13
I can guess that Moses expected a precise answer from God. Perhaps, something like: “I am Zeus, god of thunder. Here is a thunder bolt to show the people as a sign.” Instead, God simply answered Moses:
“I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14
Prepared
God had prepared Moses for this mission, providing him with all the knowledge and wisdom of the Egyptians, but all of this knowledge would not allow Moses to understand God. Therefore, in answer to Moses’ question, God said, “Stop over thinking. You are not going to understand everything. Just say to them that ‘I am’ has sent you.”
Don’t get me wrong, I believe in education and learning. I agree with a truth expressed by President Jimmy Carter.
“God has given us intelligence and the ability, maybe even the responsibility or obligation, to learn all that we can and to develop our talents. God has given us these gifts so that we can be used to accomplish his purpose on this earth.”
President Jimmy Carter
Over Thinking Is Like Shadowboxing
In Ephesians, Paul explains that God has given us talents and roles to build up and equip the people of God for service. We have been commissioned by God to accomplish his purpose during this time and in this place. Jesus has ordained us to be his hands and feet.
As a thinker, I try to think through everything that I don’t understand. It is like I’m shadowboxing, fighting myself, and wondering why I’m not winning. How can this be true? Does God really hear us? Is he really working all things for our good. I often can’t see God working things out. So, I begin over thinking, trying to come to a logical answer. Luckily, God is forgiving and merciful and chooses to embrace me rather than to fight.
Are you inexorable? While time is inexorable, you and I don’t have to be. We can learn.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Victorious Living.
Avoid Blind Spots
It is likely not surprising to learn that high-school students have blind spots. I’ve worked with many students over the years who were so convinced of the virtue of their actions it was difficult for them to see how these actions might be perceived by others. Like the time a young man, named Drake, stole 40 pounds of beef from Taco Bell. Yes, you read that correctly.
Ask someone you trust to look in the mirror with you.
Noble Motivation
Drake’s motivation for the theft was noble enough. He was a member of a student organization, which was hosting fundraiser for a worthy charity. With the goal of raising the most money in mind, Drake’s team decided that making and selling tacos to other fellow students would raise a lot of money. Even better, they decided to solicit donations allowing the team to maximize profits. The students brainstormed how to get donations and of course Drake offered that he worked at a nearby Taco Bell. Of course, his team members were now excited and suggested that he ask his manager for donations.
According to Drake, his manager said she would donate beef for the fundraiser, but she would not have extra until the next shipment came in, which would be too late. Undeterred, Drake drove to the next Taco Bell and told the manager that he works at a Taco Bell which would like to borrow a case of ground beef. The manager at this store, Bonnie, agreed to loan Drake’s store a case of ground beef and gave it to him. In Drake’s mind, the problem is solved. He arrived at school with a case of ground beef. His team uses it to prepare tacos and earned a lot of money. However, the next day, Bonnie called the manager at the store at which Drake was employed. The manager said that he had not authorized Drake to borrow a case of ground beef. This was a big problem.
Take a Second Look
Bonnie called my school and asked for me, but I was at a doctor’s appointment. So, she decided to call the sheriff’s department. Our school has a police liaison had my cell phone number. Luckily, before this got too consequential, he called me to describe the situation. I asked him to give me a little time to get to the bottom of this odd story. When I arrived at school, I spoke with Drake. He told me his version of the story, but maintained that he was only borrowing the beef, until the second store received a new shipment. I spoke with Drake’s father, who agreed to pay restitution, so Drake avoided any criminal consequences.
When making decisions, it is important to avoid blind spots. Sometimes that means taking a second look and trying to see a situation from another’s perspective. It is often helpful to ask someone you trust to look in the mirror with you. Learn a lesson from Drake and take that second look in the mirror.
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
James 1:25
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Brain Development.
The Impostor Syndrome
The “impostor syndrome” is fake fear. It is the fear that deep inside, you are not who you want people to think you are. That God knows it, and he doesn’t love you because of it. I think it is something we have all experienced. For example, people say that I am smart and hard-working, but sometimes a little voice inside says, “No, you are not! You fake being smart and you don’t work all that hard. You may have everyone fooled, but someday they will find out.”
The Voice That Bullies
That voice often drives people to drink or take drugs to cover up this feeling. It drives people to lie and even act unkind to cover up this feeling. That voice bullies us into behaving in ways for which we are not proud. It tries to whittle away at our self-esteem and undermines our identity. But, we can talk back with confidence… sharing that the Word of God says we are children of the king.
That voice tells us that we are unworthy of God’s love. But, how can that be true? Who knows us better than God? Indeed, we are known by God and loved by God. Even on our worst days, God loves us.
Lord, help us to shout down that little voice that tells us we are underserving. Keep us in your love, even when we do not love ourselves. Remind me that the “impostor syndrome” is fake fear.
Feeling helpless doesn’t mean everything is hopeless.
It is easy to trust in God when we feel great. It is easy to trust God when things are going our way. The secret to joy, however, is to trust in God more than our feelings. When we have a child or grandchild in the hospital, we must trust God. When our pay check is barely enough to make ends meet, we must trust God. When we have a big test at school, we must trust God. When our joints ache, we must trust God. Many things in our lives may not be good, but God is good. And, he is looking out for our good.
Fortunately, when you are feeling stressed because you can’t imagine a way out of a bad situation, God can open your eyes to his victory. Maybe, right now you can’t see a way. But, ask God to wake you up with new insight. And, he will wake you up to smell the coffee and see the light. Then, what felt impossible will feel doable.
The impostor syndrome is fake fear. You can talk back. When you can’t imagine a way out, God can open the eyes of your heart. Remember feeling helpless doesn’t mean everything is hopeless. When you can’t imagine the possibilities, pray. You can have a victorious life. Victory is within reach!
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid…” (Luke 12:7)
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
See Victory Is Within Reach to discover that all things are possible with God.
Passages: Midlife Crisis
Do you know someone still living like a “cool kid” even though they are not? We all know that person, middle aged, driving a fancy sports car, wearing the latest fashions. The midlife crisis is probably the most famous of all the life passages we experience. Some transition successfully to renewal; others leave with a sense of staleness which has turned into resignation. In this third post on the book Passages by Gail Sheehy, we uncover what happen during the midlife crisis.
Deadline Decade
The Deadline Decade is a crossroads in life. It is a crisis with potential for great change and turmoil. This is the halfway point of life, the infamous midlife crisis. We question the choices made to this point. We reexamine our purposes, and reevaluate how we have spent our time and money. Some of us go out and buy a shiny sports car. It is a time of danger and opportunity. For those who successfully confront this crisis, they will confirm their choices and move on to greater accomplishments. For me, the Deadline Decade had me lose a tight race for public office, but successfully land a job back in education, which was on my timeline, described in Passages, Part 1.
Renewal or Resignation
The last crisis that Sheehy dealt with in her original book is Renewal or Resignation. In this passage, stability is regained somewhere after the mid-forties. If one had refused to budge through the midlife transition, a sense of staleness will develop and turn into resignation. On the other hand, those who confronted themselves in the previous passage will find a renewed sense of purpose. These people are eager to continue building their life. For them, these are perhaps the best years. It is at this time that we truly learn the lesson of Romans 8:28:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
People change and go through predictable passages of life. Making the decisions necessary to navigate these life changes successfully is important for personal growth and happiness. Supporting one another’s dreams will draw you closer together. Confronting ourselves and looking to God for direction will keep us on track as we move from one passage to another. Happy traveling!
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Passages, Part 1.
Making Slime
For a fun experiment, try making slime. It is an awesome, oozing sensory experience.
Remember Slimer from the movie Ghostbusters? He was a ghost made up of pure Ectoplasm and the first ghost successfully captured by the Ghostbusters. Slimer is well known for his gigantic appetite and the slime left behind when he passed through solid objects, thus the phrase, “You’ve been slimed.”
“Getting slimed can knock you off course…”
When you get slimed, it knocks you off course a bit by the impact. You might feel disoriented, a little lost. This is what we experience when we are mistreated by someone we trust. However, we don’t have to stay covered in slime. We can refocus and recalculate.
Science Lesson
Making slime is fun, but is it a liquid or solid? Scientifically, slime is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning it’s a little bit of both. It can be picked up like a solid, but it also oozes like a liquid. It can even bounce like a ball because of its elasticity.
What’s the science behind the slime? An activator combines with the PVA (polyvinyl-acetate) in glue to form this cool stretchy substance. You have several activators to choose from (all in the boron family). These include saline solution, liquid starch, and Borax powder. They all contain similar chemicals.
Glue is a polymer and is made up of long, repeating, and identical strands or molecules. These molecules flow past one another keeping the glue in a liquid state. When you add the borate ions to the mixture, it starts to connect these long strands together. They begin to tangle and mix until the substance is less like the liquid you started with, and thick and stretchy like slime.
Glitter Glue Slime
Glitter glue slime is my favorite. There are many slime recipes, but this one is easy to make, plus the color and glitter are already mixed in. If you are looking for less mess, this recipe is perfect. Of course there is always some mess with slime.
Ingredients
- 1/4 tsp Borax powder {found in the laundry detergent aisle}
- 1/2 cup glitter glue
- 1 cup of water
- Bowl, spoon, measuring cups
Procedure
- Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of Borax powder into 1/2 cup of warm water. Mix thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, mix a 1/2 cup of glitter glue with 1/2 cup of water.
- Pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture and stir. You will see it come together right away. It will seem stringy and clumpy, at first.
- Remove it from the bowl and knead the mixture, until it is smooth and stretchy.
Remember, slime does not like to be pulled quickly and will snap due to its chemical composition. Stretch your slime slowly and you will really see it’s full stretchiness.
Making slime is a fun chemistry experiment. Getting slimed can knock you off course, but, remember, you can refocus and recalculate to get back on track.
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
— John 8:36, NKJV
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Oobleck and Faith.
