Phillipsburg teacher allegedly fired for giving Bible to student, files complaint against school district

“A substitute teacher who says he was fired after giving a student a Bible filed a complaint yesterday with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The complaint against the Phillipsburg School District alleges religious discrimination and retaliation.

Walt Tutka was working as a substitute teacher on October 12 when, according to the complaint filed by Tutka, he said to a student who was last in line, “The first shall be the last and the last shall be the first.”

After the student “repeatedly” asked where the line was from, Tutka told him the Bible. Tutka asked the student if he had a Bible and, when he said no, Tutka said he could have his and he gave him his Bible, the complaint states.

Tutka says he served his last day as substitute teacher on October 15 and alleges that Superintendent George Chando told him on October 18 that he was recommending Tutka’s termination because he gave a student a Bible, the complaint states. Tutka says he was dismissed on January 14.

The Liberty Institute, a nonprofit legal group dedicated to” restoring and defending religious liberty across America,” alleges that on March 28 Phillipsburg School District “refused to turn over emails and other documents” related to Tutka, despite an open-records request (via nj.com).”

Should we as Christians be surprised by this behavior? Should we shake our heads in rage against the establishment?

CHAOS

The informed have known for years that the original family is under attack. The informed have also known that before homosexuality became a huge item in America the enemy was often found in ones own home.  Cain murders Abel, Ham mocks his father, Noah, by looking at his nakedness, Jacob deceives his brother Esau and Absalom tries to take his father’s throne and many more stories like these are found in scripture.

In fact, chaos began with God. The Tower of Babel was one demonstration of unity that God interrupted. Why? The people were not unified in giving God glory, but rather to make a name for themselves, which contradicts God’s reason for our creation. This contradiction in-turn creates chaos.

If the family is to unify, it must be under the umbrella of giving God all the glory. By contradicting your purpose, you create chaos in your life. Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked (Ecclesiastes 7:13)?

There are churches picketing and putting up signs against homosexual marriage. Some are even bold enough to disrupt funerals and cause all sorts of drama, but is this wise? When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them (Proverbs 16:7).

What should the church do? Unify under the umbrella of giving God ALL the glory. Not actors or actresses. Not Prada or Brahmin. Not houses or hummers. God will straighten the chaos created by our contradiction. Your mission should you choose to accept it, is to keep your eyes and your affection on things above where Christ sits upon the throne. The measure of chaos in your home will diminish and when the world sees your good works they will glorify God.

God interrupted the people at the Tower of Babel to bring confusion because of their agenda. I can only imagine what he would bring to the people who are unified in giving him glory. God always brings something, but you choose what it will be. Peace or chaos?

picture by  _Gavroche_

WORRY?

Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up. Proverbs 12:25

It is easy to say “don’t worry be happy” but without a cheerful word the saying becomes useless. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6

When worry visits you? Remember this blog and pray “Lord Jesus Christ get the devil off my back and tell him to cease with his words and open my ears to your message that says I can do all things in your name that strengthens me.”

*Note: worry is cancelled through prayer + praise to God, whose Spirit fills and settles down the believer.