We did, though, make a delayed and slightly shortened trip to Nashville. After one of the hotel beds collapsing our first night, two-year-old Preston slept terribly (he reminded me of older daughter Betsy’s colicky weeks as a newborn), so I strolled him around the Opryland Hotel starting at 4:45 a.m. on our two mornings. On account of sleep deprived children (and Sarah and me) and the rain, we didn’t leave the hotel.

We got back to Memphis just in time to watch the Tigers lose in the first round of the NCAA tournament, and then we saw the Grizzlies follow suit against the lowly Toronto Raptors.

I went to a funeral the next day.

Life doesn’t always turn out quite the way we expect it to…or want it to…or feel we deserve it to.

We live in a society in which we often believe that we can engineer the outcomes we want. Our technological and medical breakthroughs, our smart phones and scientists and so forth—they can give us a sense that we are in control. We think we can buy happiness or work hard enough to succeed or smartly map out and execute plans and processes to achieve our carefully constructed goals and dreams.

James, half-brother of Jesus, writes this in James 4:13-15: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring…Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”

Despite the incredible advances of our society, we still live in a world that is unpredictable, uncontrollable, and, to a large extent, unmanageable. The same could be said of our personal lives. Thinking we can control the events of our lives—or the events of the children we parent—sets us up for frustration, disappointment and, eventually, bitterness.

So, what are we to do with this inherent tension between our desire to control the uncontrollable (or, put differently, our desire to be God when we are not God)?

From a worldly perspective, we would be smart to assure that our children are adaptable and resilient. They have a better shot of thriving if they can adjust to a world that is dynamic and in flux. They need to be accustomed to and comfortable with change. They are more likely to thrive if they aren’t afraid of failing. They need growth mindsets and the courage to take chances, knowing that failing isn’t fatal or final but a necessary part of growth.

Unfortunately, American children, teenagers and young adults are not particularly resilient. They are often over-protected and pampered by parents who, out of misguided love, give them too much too easily, rescue them too quickly, manage them too tightly, and hover too closely and too long.

Schools, too, can be complicit in this, as they focus a relatively small amount of “school” on fostering skills of lifelong learning, adaptability and resilience. Schools are still usually about factory model production and usually not environments conducive to dynamic learning, taking chances and failing.

But even the most adaptable and resilient individuals face the same conundrum at some point: life still isn’t going to turn out as well as we would like, and at times it will be down-right nasty and painful. What do they and we do in those moments (or seasons of life)?

The self-resilience falls short at that moment. There is no degree to dispatch death, no pill that can really take away certain pains, no technology that can transform us. Our experiences can’t extract us from the episodes we don’t want to endure. We can’t use our minds—no matter how brilliant—to think our way free. Nor can our money buy our way out. There’s no self-salvation at that moment.

For me, it’s a matter of faith: of understanding and believing that the world in which we are living isn’t the final chapter (and the final chapter will be radically different from the current one). The Bible tells us that we are living in a fallen world and that we are all sinners on account of Adam and Eve’s initial rebellion against God (and our own on-going rebellion). Sin is in our DNA. Therefore, we should expect our lives, both individually and collectively, to be messy and uncontrollable, filled with difficulty, pain and even evil (whose very unpredictability makes it evil).

This Biblical worldview makes it a bit easier to give up the belief that I can control what happens. Some of the tension and frustration melt away. The bad times aren’t quite so bad when we know they are temporary.

The musician/rapper Lecrae writes, ““Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

James put it this way in James 1:2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

I prefer the sunshine, of course, to the storms, but I wouldn’t appreciate the sunshine if it weren’t for the storms. And the Bible tells us that we get the storms of life to grow and develop our faith—to help us realize there is no salvation but through God’s grace that He offered through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. He calls us to surrender and accept, to trust and follow.

I imagine that next spring break our family will plan some sort of fun time, and maybe it will turn out as we hope, or maybe not. Whatever happens, I can trust that God is in charge and it will all unfold for our good and growth and His glory, whether or not we like it at the time.

Hopefully, this spring break—and future ones—will make me more resilient. Not resilient just in worldly terms, but resilient due to an ever-deepening faith that God has, through Christ, given me everything I need and that He is returning one day to make the world perfect, so I can endure—even joyfully—the hardships in the meanwhile.

Jeremy Lin is currently playing the role of unsuspected and unassuming hero of the New York Knicks. The Linspired winning streak has landed the Knicks at 15-15, their first .500 record since mid-January, when they were 6-6. On February 3, the night before injuries and absences forced them to play Jeremy Lin, the Knicks were 8-15.

Then, Linsanity. A young and untested point guard who has been passed around and cut by two other NBA teams over the last two years hits the court ablaze with confidence, courage, and game no one knew he had. Well, they probably knew, but without playing time, it didn't register. Eager Knicks fans await what might be (discord or harmony; ego battles or teamwork) when injured Carmelo Anthony, who until recently was the Knicks’ biggest star, returns.

Lin's selfless style of play has revived the Knicks’ drive and ability to win. Lin’s six straight games with at least 20 points and 7 assists has tied the team record held by Walk Frazier and Michael Ray Richardson. Lin is the Knicks brightest star at the moment, the darling of the crowd and the city. 

One could even argue that Lin is among the most global NBA players in the world now, as he has 857, 000 fans on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter. The number of Chinese following Lin is making Chinese officials nervous largely because of Lin’s evangelical Christian faith. 

Lin is an unusual player in that he is not playing for the win. He is not playing for the fame and stardom. He is not playing for the money. Now that he has held the limelight so amazingly, all of those things will accrue to Lin. But, as Lin tells it on his Twitter stream, on his Facebook page, and in interviews, Jeremy Lin plays basketball for the glory of God. He is on the court, he says, to maximize his God-given talents—ball skills and brains (they call it court vision)—to maximize the team, and to use basketball as a vehicle to spread God’s word. He is in the NBA with gratitude and humility, not hubris, and he means to play for his highest potential, not to please others. Lin aims to be true to his faith and values, his abilities, and his team. He plays as a contributor who distributes the ball, as proud of his assists as he is of his points.

People are saying 23-year-old Lin came out of nowhere to catapult to stardom. But, really, that is not true. He came from Harvard where he was recognized as a versatile and agile player, even listed by some as one of the top ten point guards in the country in his senior year. Yet he went un-drafted in the 2010 NBA draft. Part of it is that Harvard is nowhere as far as the NBA is concerned. Academic elite institutions don’t engender sports stars (Bill Bradley from Princeton being the exception in the NBA). The last Harvard player to play in the NBA was in 1954. His name was Ed Smith (ever heard of him?)

Also working against Lin and the NBA are stereotypes: Asians aren’t great athletes, and they don't play basketball (Yao Ming: a fluke).

Lin, an Asian-American of Taiwanese descent, went un-drafted, overlooked…rejected. He was picked up by the Golden State Warriors, not played, and then cut. He spent a few weeks with the Houston Rockets. Just a few weeks ago, he was traded to play in the D-League for the Knicks. He would play down to get a little seasoning. Not a good situation to be in after two years in the NBA. But, circumstances of injuries and absences created an opportunity for Lin. He got a chance to play, then in the next six games, a chance to start and awe.

It may seems like Jeremy Lin has come out of nowhere, but that is not really how it happens. A player is there, developing his skills, perfecting his game, working on his performance and attitude all along, despite not getting playing time. He is working, growing, dreaming, and waiting. He is hoping, praying, and trying to stay positive. Many lose that battle. The opportunity is what comes out of the blue. A player’s skills level, aptitude, mindset, heart, and court wisdom are cultivated and developed all along when no one is looking. Working hard when no one is looking, when the NBA scouts walk away, and when the bench is all to familiar and hard, is a testament to character and faith.

In a 2010 interview with Patheos, Lin describes his faith journey:

“Christianity didn't become a significant part of my approach to basketball until the end of my high school career and into college. That's when I began to learn what it means to play for the glory of God.  My parents had often talked about it and told me that I should play for God's glory, but I never understood quite what that meant. That was something that really boggled my mind. My parents hadn't gone through what I was going through, being an Asian-American basketball player in America. I thought, I want to do well for myself and for my team. How can I possibly give that up and play selflessly for God?

Slowly, God revealed more to me. I started learning how to trust in Him, not to focus so much on whether I win or lose but to have faith that God has a perfect plan. For me to put more of an emphasis on my attitude and the way that I play, rather than my stats or whether we win a championship.  I learned more about a godly work ethic and a godly attitude, in terms of being humble, putting others above yourself, being respectful to refs and opponents. There are really so many ways you can apply your faith to basketball.”

At PDS, one of our seven virtues of manhood that we teach our boys about is being a Humble Hero. We believe that each of us should develop a God-sized vision for our lives. We should intentionally assess our talents and passions and ask how we might put them to service to others and to the glory of God. Each of us should seek to develop a big, God-inspired dream that gives purpose and direction to the daily choices we make. In our book, Flight Plan: Your Mission to Become a Man, PDS Chaplain Braxton Brady and I describe the plan Humble Heroes have:

-       His plan isn’t about himself; it’s about the world.

-       His plan isn’t about winning a game, but it’s about improving the world in a way that flows from the passions God put on his heart and the gifts he has been given.

-       He seeks God’s will for his life, not the pursuit of things that will bring him comfort, prosperity, and fame.

-       His reward is not a cheering crowd or a big bank account.  He finds his reward in the Lord.

Humble Heroes lead intentional lives of meaning, discipline, passion, and purpose. They seek service and contribution instead of fame and stardom. It may follow, like with Jeremy Lin, that contributions and service become noted and cheered. But they don’t let the moments of fame change their mission or their values…or their hat size. They stay humble.

For anyone who is brave enough to dream, Lin’s is a great story. For underdogs, for those who are boxed in by stereotypes, for those who care to bridge cultures and seek goodness in all places, Jeremy Lin is an inspiration and a model for how one’s faith, followed by courage, hard work, patience, resilience, discipline and humility, can lead us on unexpected journeys.

For those of us in the roles of teachers, coaches, scouts and leaders, Jeremy Lin's story is a great reminder to us to pay attention to the whole team, all of their talents, the collective potential, and the growth and challenge each person needs.  Who is ready to leap off the bench and see what they can do?  Who is the overlooked star, ready and alert, waiting for that opportunity that we control? Are we playing it safe with the regulars or developing new talent and recognizing the gifts and potential of all?

Jesus, after all, as the ultimate leader, chose 12 very ordinary, underwhelming men to be His disciples—His initial team—and He enabled them to do amazing things. If He elected to do this with them, He can, to His glory, do anything with any of us, including and especially with the underdogs and un-drafted.

There are three significant international tests that compare student performance from nations around the world. Since 1995, the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) has administered the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study exam (TIMSS) which measures the performance of 9-10 year olds and 13-14 year olds in about 50 countries. The IEA also administers the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) administers the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) which measures student achievement among 15-year-olds in math, science, and reading. PISA tests are repeated every three years. About 80 countries participate in the PISA testing, and the results are used to inform and improve educational policy and outcomes in those countries. Since the PISA was first administered in 2000, Finland has ranked at the top of all of the measures, along with Singapore and South Korea.  Of note, in the 2009 PISA results, China topped the measures in all three categories (science, math, and reading). The United States generally scores, at best, in the middle of the pack of the countries. 

Finland is a small country in geographic size and in population. The total population of Finland is about 5.4 million people—just smaller than the population of Tennessee. Only about 6% of the population of Finland is foreign born, and there is little ethnic diversity. While there is economic diversity, most of Finland’s population enjoys a middle class standard of living.

Finland is not a resource rich nation. In the 1970’s, country leaders realized that their most abundant resource, timber, was not sufficient to build their future upon. They determined their future would be in intellectual capital that could fuel a knowledge based economy that could compete on a global scale and attract companies like Nokia, which is the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phones.

To develop the intellectual capital they would need for the future, Finland focused on its education system. Outcomes for education were directly tied to the future leadership, intellectual, and economic needs of the nation.

The fact that Finland overhauled its entire national objectives and educational curriculum in the last twenty-five years, moving their country’s educational system from mediocre performance to top performance, is the lesson Finland has to offer. The Finland Phenomenon shares how Finland managed to shift their outcomes so quickly and to such good results.  Dr. Tony Wagner, author of The Global Achievement Gap and professor at Harvard, narrates this look at Finland’s education system as he visits a number of schools and talks with university level Education professors.

The film begins by telling the audience what does NOT account for the success of their schools. They don’t have a longer school year or longer school days than other countries. Their students do relatively little homework. The teachers are paid normal salaries, and the teacher union is strong.

What we do see, though, is an education system that is focused on teaching kids to think cooperatively and collaboratively. While Finland has a national core curriculum, local schools have the authority to adopt and adapt the national curriculum as they see best. The national curriculum is organized around desired learning outcomes and trusts well-trained teachers to know the best way to achieve those outcomes. There is a rigorous teacher selection and training process that is focused on classroom teaching practices and mentoring relationship. The teacher preparation model is a re-imagined apprenticeship in many ways. While there are education courses that instruct educational and pedagogical theory, teachers and teacher-trainees in Finland spend much more time on trainees’ teaching and observation of teaching by master teachers. There is rigorous coursework on lesson planning and design. The goal of teaching in every subject is not to teach students right answers, but to help students understand concepts and ideas on a higher level and to give them ample practice in applying that knowledge. Carefully designed learning environments like these help assure that the students are highly engaged in their learning; they “own” the learning.

The audience reaction to viewing the film was encouraging. While it would have been easy to dismiss any possible lessons from Finland because it is a culture vastly different than ours, the teachers and school leaders in the audience focused on the right thing: possibility. The post-viewing discussion focused on what might change if we take a serious and hard look at the elements that define a high-performing system, such as smart teacher selection, rigorous and uniform teacher training, well-defined national policy objectives, clear student outcomes, and the power of all stakeholders working together towards a common goal.

Learning from Finland and any other school or country that is having good success was an obvious strategy and good use of time on a weekend morning to the devoted and curious audience that gathered last Saturday.

So, of course, I pulled for Eli and the Giants on Sunday in the Super Bowl, though, on account of my life-long affection for the Tennessee Vols, I have more often and more intensely pulled for his big brother, Peyton, over the years.

It’s been fascinating though sad to watch the collapse this year of Peyton’s team, the Indianapolis Colts, as he was sidelined with a neck injury. They went from dominating their division for many years, from trips to the Super Bowl, to a 2-14 season. Since the close of the season, the Colts have been re-organizing most everything. They fired both the Vice Chairman and General Manager. The new GM fired the Head Coach. The hiring of a new defensive coordinator was announced last week.

It’s been painful to watch as the team that Peyton Manning has led, or perhaps carried, for thirteen years has declined to the point of complete breakdown. I have been wondering about how good a team is when it can’t quickly rebound and reorganize, substituting talent as needed? Are they a team, or are were they a superstar in Manning with a supporting cast of characters?

Peyton’s Manning’s impact on the Indianapolis Colts is undeniable. With Manning, the Colts have been consistent contenders. He won them a Super Bowl after the 2006 season. It was Manning Mania in Indianapolis that built the stadium that hosted Super Bowl XLVI this year. Manning had voice in the personnel moves. Manning organized workouts and practices. Manning called the plays. He was their star.

A team, however, should not be dependent on a single player. A team should be a collection of leaders who are finessing their strengths and combining their skills to achieve a common goal. A team should be bigger and stronger than its star. The star should help everyone rise to a higher standard, not overshadow or short change anyone else’s opportunity. 

A winning team is a complimentary, diverse collection of people after the same goal. They should be interdependent, supremely knowledgeable of one another, fluid and supportive. At any one time, a star might emerge on a team, but then stand aside as another rises for a moment in the light. I am afraid Peyton’s injury has exposed the Colts as dependent on a superstar and rather structure-less without him. Were they, in effect, the Indianapolis Mannings rather than the Indianapolis Colts?

As headmaster at PDS, I think that one of my main roles is to build an incredible team, starting with helping to select and develop talent. I am actively involved in an extremely thorough hiring process, and I aim to be relentless in making sure that we have processes for all of us to be growing professionally. We want remarkable people, and we want them to have incredible tools and opportunities to improve.

Talent alone, though, isn’t enough. Each sports season, there are examples of highly talented and highly paid teams that disappoint and underperform. Often, I think, it’s because individual egos and agendas get in the way of the greater good.

As headmaster, I strive to remind all of us at PDS about what our mission is, as well as the guiding principles that flow from it. I don't have to have all the answers or make all the decisions. My different PDS teammates have skills, expertise and experiences that I do not. I want my teammates to be empowered to step up…to dream, to dare, to try. I do, though, want to make sure that whatever decisions we make are aligned with our mission and principles. Philosophically, we all need to be on the same page.

The more I see organizations and schools, the more I believe that the institutional culture is what often distinguishes between the ones that thrive and ones that languish. Successful institutions give employees tools for growth, as well as the space to experiment (and fail). Leadership is shared, individuals are empowered, and collaboration the norm. Trust is in the collective DNA. The culture is one of continuous learning, including the courage and confidence to change.

The Indianapolis Colts didn’t adapt to the loss of Peyton Manning this year. Should I experience the equivalent of a season-ending or career-ending injury at PDS, I hope and think the school wouldn’t miss a beat. I believe this because of the incredibly talented, hard-working and dedicated teammates that I have. They are the finest people and educators I’ve ever been around. They are courageous and flexible, passionate and purposeful, driven yet humble.

But mostly, I don’t worry about a 2-14 season for PDS because I believe the Lord has His hand on this school, because it is His, and because He has already, in His sovereignty, ordained each season in the life of PDS.

“...And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...”

“On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And Vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But Conscience asks the question “Is it right?” And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.”