Fighting Truth Decay

Waiting for Superman

Cheri Henderson — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:50:36 +0000

The movie documentary “Waiting for Superman” is now available on DVD. For those who aren’t familiar with the movie, the following is a synopsis from MovieReview.com: “From “An Inconvenient Truth” director Davis Guggenheim comes “Waiting for ‘Superman’”, a provocative and cogent examination of the crisis of public education in the United States told through multiple interlocking stories–from a handful of students and their families whose futures hang in the balance, to the educators and reformers trying to find real and lasting solutions within a dysfunctional system. Tackling such politically radioactive topics as the power of teachers’ unions and the entrenchment of school bureaucracies, Guggenheim reveals the invisible forces that have held true education reform back for decades.”

In a review of the movie, Time Magazine suggested “Americans also can’t afford the fantasy that we have the world’s best educational system. The U.S. is near the bottom of advanced countries in math and reading scores. We may not pass sleepless nights worrying about Finland, but that country’s kids get a world-class public-school education, and ours don’t. Our problems are bigger and more systemic: that, in the world’s richest nation, a seventh of our citizens live in poverty; that the majority of African Americans form a near perpetual underclass; that the nuclear family has detonated into pieces, leaving many children with only one parent, if that, to love, instruct and keep an eye on them; that the culture of instant gratification convinces kids that studying is a bore, while the infinitesimal chance of making millions as a pro athlete or a rap star is worth pursuing. Surely the young deserve full-time parents, more realistic goals and inspiring teachers. But maybe that too is a fantasy. ‘Waiting for Superman’, Davis Guggenheim’s edifying and heartbreaking new documentary, says that our future depends on good teachers — and that the coddling of bad teachers by their powerful unions virtually ensures mediocrity, at best, in both teachers and the students in their care.”

Another review written by Rotten Tomatoes.com states “Every morning, in big cities, suburbs and small towns across America, parents send their children off to school with the highest of hopes. But a shocking number of students in the United States attend schools where they have virtually no chance of learning–failure factories likelier to produce drop-outs than college graduates. And despite decades of well-intended reforms and huge sums of money spent on the problem, our public schools haven’t improved markedly since the 1970s. Why? There is an answer. And it’s not what you think.”

I beg to differ. While I strongly agree with Mr. Guggenheim’s assertion that our future depends on good teachers — and that the coddling of bad teachers by their powerful unions virtually ensures mediocrity, at best, in both teachers and the students in their care, that is not the root of the problem. Prayer was taken out of school in 1963 by the ACLU. Could there be any correlation between that decision and the fact that “despite decades of well-intended reforms and huge sums of money spent on the problem, our public schools haven’t improved markedly since the 1970s”? Could it also be that the reason “the nuclear family has detonated into pieces, leaving many children with only one parent; that the culture of instant gratification convinces kids that studying is a bore, while the infinitesimal chance of making millions as a pro athlete or a rap star is worth pursuing” is because we no longer have a spiritual compass and are no longer grounded in absolute truth?

We are “Waiting for Superman” to fix a failed educational system, but the true Super Man . . . the Son of Man . . . the only Hope for mankind, Jesus Christ, was shunned by the very system for which people are now looking for a Savior. Therein lies the crux of the problem and until we acknowledge and welcome Him back into our schools . . . and our country, the remedies of men, no matter how well thought-out or brilliant, may succeed for a season, but they will not endure.

–Cheri Henderson

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Cheri Henderson — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:13:41 +0000

INDEPENDENCE DAY

On this Independence Day, Lord,

we will lift our songs to you!

For we’re free, yes, truly free

to boldly love and worship you,

to read your word, to share our faith,

to openly speak your truth.

Without fear of torture, chains, or death,

we can praise and honor you!

And because of the freedom living

in the United States affords,

I heard the gospel preached one day

and accepted you as my Lord.

And now I have more freedom

than I’ve every known before,

for he who the Son sets free is free indeed!

And how I thank you, Lord!

I am free from failure for I can do all things

through Christ who strengthens me.

I am free from want for my God shall supply

everything I’ll ever need.

I am free from doubt for God has dealt

to every man the measure of faith.

I am free from weakness, for the Lord is my strength;

of whom shall I be afraid?

I am free from sin for the blood of Jesus

cleanses me from all sin.

I am free from worry for He said to cast

all my worries upon Him.

I am free from fear because I walk in the Spirit

of power, love, and a sound mind.

I am free from defeat, oh thanks be to God,

for my triumph is always in Christ.

I am free from every sickness because

I’m healed by the stripes of Christ.

I am free from death, because I believe in Him;

He is the resurrection and the life!

Yes, on this Independence Day,

we rejoice in the fact that we’re free.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!

For freedom He has set us free!

Oh, Father, I praise and I thank you

for providing us with this blessing,

and while it is still day in the USA,

let me always be confessing

my dedication to you and your gospel of truth

at every opportunity -

as Christians are dying in foreign lands today,

someday here it might not be so easy.

The Real Sacrifice

Cheri Henderson — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:54:46 +0000

THE REAL SACRIFICE

Barack Obama seems to be campaigning
to be the president of the world as a whole,
giving pompous speeches lacking a defined plan,
other than to offer lofty goals that shall be so…

and the world must sacrifice…
every one must sacrifice
except for,
of course,
the B.O. …

who, with the press core conveniently in tow,
flies off to the Big Apple with the Mrs. B.O.,
driving through Manhattan to dine at the elite Belasco ,
while using my tax dollars to support things that I oppose…

when the only sacrifice having any value unto me
is the daily surrender of my life to the One and only King ~
the One who provided the ultimate, final sacrifice for me…
He gave His very life so I could live…

and even though Obama says this country is largely Muslim. . .
even though Obama says we’re not a Christian nation…
even though I don’t trust this man…I am still a Christian,
so I’ll obey the Lord and I will pray for him.

Ironic that Muhammad is very dead and lying in the grave,
but … even for Obama … Jesus died and He rose again ~
the very One Obama diminishes ~ tells me I must pray for him…
how fortunate for Obama
that we are a Christian nation!

Offensive Speech

Cheri Henderson — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:47:08 +0000

OFFENSIVE SPEECH                          

Why is the Word of God such an offense?
Because to all who will listen and hear,
it is the power of God unto salvation,
and when Christians speak the Truth, Satan fears.

As such, God’s commands take precedence in my life
over any laws the government would impose
that would halt my ability to speak the Truth,
because the Truth must always be told.

I can do no less; the Truth is resident in me ~
it’s the very power and presence of Christ
who enables me to speak, emboldens me to preach
He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

I am consumed by Him; He inhabits me
and when I speak, I speak forth with His voice.
The Truth of Jesus Christ exudes from me ~
I have no other choice!

So I cannot and will not be muzzled;
I will boldly share the Truth of my Lord
without watering it down or leaving parts out,
I’ll spread the Gospel of Christ to the world.

Our Only Recourse

Cheri Henderson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:18:45 +0000

OUR ONLY RECOURSE

A government that no longer responds to the voice of the people . . .
an out-of-control train with a spiritually dead conductor at the helm.
Prayer. It is our only recourse. It is time to kneel down.
Kneel down, Christians, kneel down, fast and pray.

As men in powerful positions
make unholy decisions
that advance the attrition
of a once Christian nation,
get on your knees, Christians ~
ask for mercy and forgiveness,
strength to press on
in the midst of persecution,
Psalm 91 protection
for you and your children,
and a Holy Ghost outpouring
with signs and wonders following
in the name of Jesus Christ
who is our only salvation.
Get on your knees, Christians!

Get on your knees and pray!

Perilous Times

Cheri Henderson — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:00:25 +0000

PERILOUS TIMES

Devotion to the one true God,

Jesus Christ as the only way,

virtue and holiness, faith and love,

were common in that day.

A country that once was founded

on its citizens’ love for Me -

America, a nation I once knew -

I now can hardly see.

I watch with sadness and horror

as unborn babies die each day,

in disgust, as men make love to men,

and a lukewarm church says it’s okay,

as adultery has become acceptable,

and divorce – the common out,

as the Laodecian church imitates the world,

where grace is “in”, but “sin” is out,

where people come together

to give honor unto Me,

but jointly honor other gods,

all in the name of unity,

as a lukewarm church appeases the world

so it can grow and thrive and prosper,

walking in a form of godliness,

but denying its actual power.

America, I have blessed you –

but you’re headed in a catastrophic direction

if you no longer recognize Me as your God

and I no longer have your affection.

The times ahead – they are perilous ones,

but if it’s your choice to face them alone,

I’ll abide by your wishes and remove My protection

and you can try to survive on your own.

Long-suffering and patient, I am waiting
and it’s my desire not one would be lost.

Please return to me, America.
Count the cost. Count the cost.

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

Cheri Henderson — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:50:14 +0000

LAND OF THE FREE,

HOME OF THE BRAVE

Land of the Free

and Home of the Brave,

freedom’s only found

one way . . .

and it’s a narrow way . . .

and we can’t be brave

if we’re not free . . .

in bondage to a lie

of self-sufficiency . . .

we fear for our future

because we’re our only God . . .

we’re hauling too much baggage

to go the narrow road . . .

materialism, greed,

gluttony, pride,

a strong belief in relative truth

and we swallow every lie . . .

perverted love . . . and violence . . .

children kill children and die . . .

prescriptions abound for depression

with no relief . . . and we wonder why?

Why?

Land of the Free

and Home of the Brave,

freedom’s only found

one way . . .

and it’s a narrow way . . .

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:8-9) There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them. (Acts 4:12)

The Morning After

Cheri Henderson — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:08:16 +0000

THE MORNING AFTER

When I was 17,

it was a very good year (for hell);

because the U.S. government approved my use

of the “morning after” pill

without the need for parental approval

or the requirement of a doctor’s prescription ~

another calculated move by a socialist government

to castrate the parents and promote abortion.

Packaged with a name so incredibly nebulous ~

it’s a pill for the morning after what?

Unprotected sex and promiscuity?

Why not call it what it really should be called?

Instead of vaguely naming it the “morning after” pill,

let’s be honest with our teens and tell it like it is ~

it’s a pill to detach and kill a brand new baby

that may have formed when the two of them had sex.

The government may try to sugarcoat the “remedy”,

but, quite simply, it’s the “murder after” pill,

and it’s time for parents to be truthful with their children

because Satan’s minions surely never will.

Right Wing Extremist

Cheri Henderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:12:50 +0000

RIGHT WING EXTREMIST

I’ve never thought of myself as a “right wing extremist”,
but if I break the entire phrase down, piece by piece,

the word “right” is defined as “true and accurate, correct and precise” . . .
all of which seem really logical to me

The word “wing” has some really interesting meanings:
a group of people or a branch (like “He is the vine”?),
a feathery-type of arm (like that found on an angel?)
Yep. These descriptions also accurately apply.

“Extremist” sounds very ominous, but really it is not ~
it means radical (deep seated, essential and sweeping),
fanatical (uncompromising), revolutionary (world-shattering) ~
all the things a follower of Christ should truly be.

Right wing extremist: that seems to describe me,
but is there something here that I am totally missing?
Instead of the harsh labeling that seems so popular,
why don’t they call me a “devoted Christian”?

I would venture to say over 2000 years ago
if these same people were labeling Jesus,
they wouldn’t call him “Messiah, Savior or Lord”,
but would also call him a “right wing extremist”.

Yes, the “labelers” may think I’m quite dramatic,
over the top in the things I believe,
but the truth of the matter is
it’s the Truth of the matter – His
for which I live and write and speak . . .

so if my walk with Jesus Christ offends them,
it’s unfortunate, but I do not apologize
because the Word is my defense
and if Jesus Christ is a Rock of offense,
when I represent Him well,
then so am I.

Truth Decay

Cheri Henderson — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:26:55 +0000

When the Truth is rejected and discarded by a nation,

the Life it provides is also tossed away ~

and like a plant without water, a body without blood,

the nation will surely crumble, die and decay,

and though an arrogant politician may make a public declaration,

the Truth he has rejected will forever stay the same . . .

Obama may say the United States is not a Christian nation,

but Jesus Christ is still the Truth and the only Way.

It’s not a philosophy that can be hidden, but a Person, true and living ~

Jesus Christ ~ He is my Savior, Lord and King,

and until my life on earth is through, I will proclaim and stand for Truth

because Barack Obama does not speak for me.