Friday, October 29, 2010

Message from Joe Frost Director of Technology & Operations

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time HE may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on HIM, because He cares for you.

**********

The apprentice. The newbie. The greenhorn. All of them in training. All assigned to another, much more skilled in the trade, art, discipline.

This new job won't be a walk in the park. Some thumbs may be smashed; some toes stepped on, but as time goes on it will get easier. Especially if the directions are followed.

The trainee can perform the tasks in one of two ways: listening to the master and doing what's expected or wasting time trying to find short cuts.
Though some methods may seem foreign, if followed, the outcome is known. As for straying from the tried & true, well, as a jeweler knows, deviating even the smallest amount can render a raw gem stone either a precious diamond or just a pretty rock.

We are the apprentices. And the work of GOD is to believe in the One He has sent. Sounds simple enough. Putting it into practice is where it gets difficult. But we're expected to make mistakes, we're beginners with an eternity to get it right. We just need to focus on the trainer, Jesus, and follow the directions He left for us in His Word.

Beware, living out the truth in the bible can be challenging. Our life's job can be challenging. He's told us not to stress it though. Learn from Him. Humble ourselves trusting His direction for our lives. He really does care. He will exalt us!

And while we're at it, let's look for another apprentice that's further down the road from where we are. There's much to learn & many others we can learn a little something from along the way while we're all learning from HIM.

Message from Judy Nunez, Admin. Assistant Central Elementary

Sweet Praise

I’ve been so encouraged lately by the praise and worship that we have shared together as a unified body of believers. It is so great to see the impact this is having in the lives of our young people. Seeing students and teachers together praising the Lord is so awesome. Another amazing blessing is that through the intentional Christian lives of our teachers and staff our kids are being directed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is not only in our Bible classes but in all areas of study.

Colossians 3:16 reminds us…”Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

Verse 17 goes on to say…”And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.” NLT

Whatever you’re doing today, cultivate an attitude of praise. Whether it is in your conversation or song, let your joy in the Lord be shared with those you come in contact with today. You may never know how much this will encourage a student or co-worker.

Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Message from Judy Musgrave, West Campus Pre-K Teacher

In the past year, there have been many changes that have taken place in my life. During this time I have felt God dealing with me in one of many areas, however, one in particular has been on how I look at others. I know a young lady who back in January had to make a very hard choice. As this young ladies aunt, I stood by her knowing that when it got out many were going to judge her and her family as well. I kept hearing my mother say to me love her, she needs your love and know that God is still doing a work in her life. So as I sat on that little couch that Sunday afternoon and listened to her tell me about what she did. I sat and cried and said Father, don’t let me judge another young woman or anyone for that matter because we do not know what is going on in their lives for them to have chosen the path they are on but You do.

In Matthew 7:1 it says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged”. I grew up in a very judgmental type of church; however, I was blessed with parents that did not allow themselves to fall into that trap. They took time to get to know the person and see them the way God would want to see them. I had often heard my parents quote this verse and the verse that talks about he who hath no sin, may cast the first stone. Ouch!!

I have taken this into consideration with my families that I work with each year. We cannot follow our student’s home. We cannot even be with them every second at school. We do not know what they are dealing with that may or may not affect them in school, at home, with friends, etc. Yet, we tend to judge them for their actions, their dress, their attitude, etc. Take time to get to know that child and see them as God would want you to see them. Look at them through His eyes and not your own. We may not understand the path they are on but God sees the future and who knows you may plant the seed that will one day grow and help them in the right direction.

I challenge you to stop looking at those around you in your own eyes but instead look at them through God’s eyes.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Message from Donn Start, Principal West Valley Campus

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.
— 2 Timothy 1:7

In this passage of Scripture, Paul was encouraging Timothy and saying, “You may feel like giving up, but you have everything you need to succeed. The Holy Spirit gives you peace and the power to face anything. Press on without fear!”

We may not always understand what is going on in the world around us, but we must trust God through it all. We can pray and ask God for answers, but when heaven is silent we are instructed to keep doing what God has told us to do and just trust Him. God will make all the pieces work together for His purpose, even when we don’t see tomorrow clearly. Tomorrow’s answers usually don’t come until tomorrow!

From the book Ending Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Evening of the Year by Joyce Meyer.

Message from Karla Mungillo, Central Elementary Third Grade Teacher

There you are finding yourself in some deep trouble. The more you struggle to get out, the deeper you fall. You reach out your hand hoping and searching for some one or something to grab on to. But all too soon you find out that your greatest fear has come true.....there is NO ONE! Nothing, absolutely nothing but the cold lonely air of the dark, black night. You cry out to God, but he seems not to be listening. So what else is there to do but keep plummeting further and further into the depths of the murky waters? You hear voices all around, you scream, "Help, I'm drowning, please someone listen!" But no one seems to care, you are actually invisible to all of them. Some are actually staring right at you, watching as you fall deeper into the pit of sin and despair. You have given up on life, you utter a prayer of desperation, not really expecting an answer, and then you wait.....and wait..... and wait for the shadow of death to take you away......But instead, in your quiet moments of waiting, you hear a gentle whisper,

"My son, be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for I am with you where ever you go."

In that instance you feel a warm sensation go through your hand and you feel yourself being lifted from the depths of the water from which you had fallen.

In 1 Kings, chapter 19 of the Bible, we read about a man named Elijah who had a similar problem. Elijah has gotten himself into some deep trouble. He is begging God, "I have had enough Lord.....take my life." God took Elijah on a journey which led him to a mountain because the Lord was about to pass by. Elijah did as he was told and therefore became a witness to a number of great and dramatic displays of power. First a powerful wind shattered the rocks and tore at the mountain. But the Lord wasn't there in the wind. Next, there was an earthquake, but the Lord wasn't there either. Then came a fire, but the Lord wasn't in the fire. When Elijah must have thought God wasn't going to pass by, he heard a gentle whisper. This encounter strengthened Elijah and he was able to return the way he'd come to carry out God's work; all because he was patient enough to hear the Lord in a gentle whisper.

We can all learn from Elijah. Just because our God is powerful doesn't mean he will make a dramatic appearance or give you an obvious answer as in the wind, earthquake and fire. Instead, he may test your patience to see if you really are seeking him. And then in your quiet moments of despair, at a time you least expect, He will speak to your heart, leaving you no doubt that YOUR God is a powerful God, a God who will not leave you in your time of despair.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Message from Phil Adams, Principal JH/SH & Central Elementary

He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.

Proverbs 18:13, New King James Version

Any of us who watch football on TV has seen it. Maybe you are annoyed as much as I am when it happens. A referee throws a flag, and there is a conference among the officials on the field. The commentators can’t help themselves as they speculate on what the infraction might be. Often they are right, often they are not. One thing is for sure: If they could restrain themselves for another 15 seconds they would find out with the rest of us.

Anyone who deals with children has learned that there are always three sides to the story: His side, her side, and the truth. One of the most challenging tasks for each of us is withholding judgment about a matter until we have heard all sides. Often we are tempted to act on what we “know” well before we actually know it. Sometimes we want to appear decisive. Other times we want to rely on our intuition. Maybe we want to believe something so badly that we take shortcuts. Perhaps we feel a sense of urgency to act when the urgency does not really exist. At times we bring preconceived ideas about a person to the situation and don’t fairly weigh the evidence. I am sure there are other reasons.

Whatever the reason, this verse teaches us to slow down, and hear, really hear out a matter before acting. It is a rare circumstance that requires snap decisions without time to reflect. In a school setting we are faced with hundreds of decisions, small and not so small, every week. For my part, I am asking the Lord to make this verse part of who I am in order to act wisely every day.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Message from Chris Moore, International Department

God is always at work. We just need to be willing to open our mouths and speak. I’m always so encouraged by the boldness of my daughter in law Tomi. She is always talking to people and always finds a ways to turn the conversation to the Lord. Now I’ll admit, I do not have her boldness to speak to perfect strangers, let alone about the Lord.

Last week an old friend of hers and my youngest son contacted them out of the blue. It had been 3 or more years since they’d spoken. He was a friend from their “bc” days. They began talking back and forth a bit so my daughter in law invited him to dinner which then turned into an invitation to come to our bible study to which he accepted. At the bible study we were discussing relationships, specifically husband and wives and children and parents from Ephesians 5:22-33. Now mind you, he’s a single guy and we’re talking about marriage & relationships. I thought, oh well, great word but not something that’s going to reach this guy and yet when the invitation was given at the end of the evening, without hesitancy his hand was in the air wanting that relationship with Christ.

People everywhere are hungry for God’s word. We shouldn’t be questioning whose ready, who wants to hear. God just wants us to open our mouths, to invite people, to be willing to speak His word. Not to question the place, the time, is it applicable to their life, just speak and allow Him to do the work.

Message from Debbie Klem, PCUS Board Chair

This is the 2nd in a three part series from our Board Chair, Mrs. Debbie Klem, from the devotions shared with the Board in August 2010.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

A mentality of dependence on resources imprisons much of the church today and as we’re faced with our finances we, too, could become imprisoned by such a mentality. We need to constantly check that our dependence is on God. He may use outside resources, but we need to look to Him as our primary resource.

The concept of Kingdom Mathematics begins with the passage Isaiah 40:29: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” The mathematical equation that could be derived from that verse is “Our weakness x God = Strength. When we are ready to admit our weakness, we are in a position to come to God and offer our weakness to Him. It is then that He performs the miracle of Kingdom Mathematics and transforms our limitations into His strengths.

The author converts several Bible stories into mathematical equations. The story of the boy’s lunch of fish and loaves feeding the 5,000 becomes the equation “Boy + 5 loaves and 2 fish x Jesus = Food for 5,000 men + Food for women and children + 12 baskets”. The story of the widow giving her last 2 coins becomes the equation “Widow + 2 coins x Jesus = 2,000 years of inspiration”. All the Bible story equations can be summarized into the equation “All people (even the poor) + Faith in God + Sacrificial giving x God = Great multiplication + Blessing to others + God is praised + Personal blessing (sometimes)”. The last story he uses is the story of the wealthy man and the talents given to the three servants. The equation represented by the last servant that did nothing with his talent is “Servant + 1 talent x 0 = 0 + Servant thrown into darkness”.

The stories and equations can teach us the following:
• Sacrificial giving leads to multiplication. God always multiplies what we give Him.
• The greater the sacrifice, the greater the increase.
• The last lesson is perhaps the hardest: If we do not invest what God has entrusted to us, we not only lose it, but risk being thrown out of the Master’s household.

I know we do have the mindset of being dependent on God. But, this was a new way of reinforcing that dependence and trust for me. God tells us, “Do not be afraid”. We need to have full confidence in God as the multiplier of our faith and our sacrifice.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Message from Bruce Consier, Athletic Director

Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
-- Galatians 6:2


I feel so burdened myself, that sometimes I can't even see others burdens. But Jesus reminds me that if I am to be like him, I will be a burden carrier. This is why he came, why he died, and why his resurrection is so important -- to lift from us the burdens of sin, death, and depravity. He has blessed us by carrying our heaviest burdens so that we might lighten the load of those around us.

Message from Jonathan Medina, West Campus 1st Grade Teacher

John 5:9-13

Jesus is not after your works - He's after your heart...

In this passage from John, the lame man was laying on the ground for 38 years. When he was healed by Jesus he was immediately criticized for violating the Sabbath law by walking with his bed on the Sabbath. Jesus didn't seem to heal this man for the man's sake. In fact, the man didn't ask to be healed by Jesus and didn't even inquire as to who Jesus was immediately after his healing. The man was an example of ungratefulness. Regardless, Jesus purposely healed this man on the Sabbath with the intent of engaging the religious leaders in conversation because the religious had the law but no love.

Again, this story is not about Jesus' works of healing a lame man. This story is about Jesus trying to change the paradigm of those around Him. Jesus wanted to show the religious people God's love, how it cannot be defined by boundaries or placed in a box. Like Jesus, we need to show love, undeserving and unconditionally, to even the most ungrateful of people who may even reject us.

Children are notorious for not always showing gratitude for the love we pour out to them day after day. But remember that those are not the only ones noticing our love. It may not always be for the person to whom we are showing the love, but perhaps to those who are looking on. Whether at church of at school, we need to be careful about what we are focusing on. Are we focusing on our work, just getting things done, or are we focusing on the will of God on earth, to love people to salvation?

We need to have compassion and love for all people, even the ones who bug us. But it's hard to love people who bug us. So how do we do it? Remember the love and mercy God has continued to show you, even when you didn't deserve it. We need to ask God to help us love them the way God has loved us - not for our glory, but for the Glory of our Father in Heaven.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Message from Martha Mabone, Preschool Teacher

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith . . . —Jude 20

There was nothing of the nature of impulsive or thoughtless action about our Lord, but only a calm strength that never got into a panic. Most of us develop our Christianity along the lines of our own nature, not along the lines of God’s nature. Impulsiveness is a trait of the natural life, and our Lord always ignores it, because it hinders the development of the life of a disciple. Watch how the Spirit of God gives a sense of restraint to impulsiveness, suddenly bringing us a feeling of self-conscious foolishness, which makes us instantly want to vindicate ourselves. Impulsiveness is all right in a child, but is disastrous in a man or woman—an impulsive adult is always a spoiled person. Impulsiveness needs to be trained into intuition through discipline.

Discipleship is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God. Walking on water is easy to someone with impulsive boldness, but walking on dry land as a disciple of Jesus Christ is something altogether different. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he “followed Him at a distance” on dry land (Mark 14:54). We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises—human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes.

Written by Oswald Chambers

Message from Renee Trapp, Business Manager

ATTITUDE

Webster defines attitude as “a manner of acting, feeling, or thinking that shows one’s disposition, opinion, etc. (as in a friendly attitude)” or “one’s disposition, opinion, mental set, etc.”

In his letters to the churches at Philippi and Colosse, the Apostle Paul addressed the issue of a proper attitude:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8

Does your attitude show that you are a Christian? Is your attitude God-pleasing? At times when we are stressed by pressures at work or school, family struggles, financial difficulties, health issues, etc, we find it difficult to maintain a positive, cheerful Christian attitude.

The evangelical Christian pastor, author, educator, and radio preacher, Charles Swindoll, once said:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

**We have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day.

**We are in charge of our attitudes.

Let us pray that God will give us the proper attitude—cheerful, hard-working, humble, and obedient—as we serve Him at PC. Have a blessed day.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Message from Donn Start, Principal West Valley Campus

Some call it the "terrible twos" because of the many new challenges a toddler presents as they hit that two-year old mark and they declare their independence. A few others call it the terrific twos because of the incredible word explosion that goes on. When my own little princess, Jody, hit two she became quite a talker. At times, she demonstrated that she not only knew words, but even understood some pretty important meaning behind the words. I vividly remember her cuddling right next to her daddy as she showed me her little New Testament Bible. She knew what that book was called as she uttered "Bible." But even more important, when she offered me her Bible, she said two words that go together, "Bible...Jesus."

Those words are always supposed to go together. Ultimately our Bible reading isn't supposed to be about a book but about a person. It's about Jesus. My grandmother would tell me that when she reads the Bible it’s as if she were reading the love letters that she received years earlier from my grandfather while serving in WWI. She would read those same letters over and over again, not because there was any new information, but because it was as if she was with the person who wrote it.

That's how it's supposed to be when we pick up God's love letter to us - the Bible. We're not with a book. We're with the person who wrote it to us, and that changes everything. Sometimes we get into the rut of thinking, "It's my Bible reading time again." And frankly, we're not all that excited about it. Our less than positive attitude may tell us to read the Bible because it's our Christian duty.

When we read God's Word, it should be something like the picture God gives us in Luke 10. Martha has invited Jesus to have dinner with her and her sister, Mary. The Bible says, "Mary...sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the dinner preparations that had to be made." Martha criticizes Mary for not running around like she is. But Jesus says, "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her." Jesus of course, wasn't condoning laziness. He was applauding the priority of loving Him over serving Him...of spending time with Him over doing things for Him. Yes, our love will result in serving and doing things for Him, but it has to be anchored in spending time with Him. Our Bible reading time needs to be the time each day that we "sit at the Lord's feet, listening to what He says."

So when you go through a day without time in God's Word, it's not the Bible we're leaving out of our day - it's Jesus. The Bible doesn't care if we show up. Jesus does. That's why we need to make time with Him our highest priority every day.

And when we pick up His Book, let’s remember - "Bible...Jesus."

Message from Margarita Llanes, Spanish Teacher

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

In the last few months this verse has sustained me and guided me. I have come to comprehend that worry is completely useless. When we worry we bring tomorrow’s difficulties into today. God gives us grace for today, not for what happened yesterday.

I once heard that, “When we reach into tomorrow’s problems, we overload today’s circuits.” Worry doesn’t take the sorrow out of tomorrow. It takes the strength out of today. When we meet tomorrow we are out of breath because we already overloaded today.

Adrian Rogers once said: “Yesterday, is just a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today has all the cash you can handle. Spend it wisely.”

So let us face each day at school, at home and at church with an extra portion of hope for the day. When the issues come up, don’t recount the
past mistakes.

We can have complete confidence that when we put our concerns at the Throne of Almighty God trusting Him to provide, He will!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Message from Phil Adams, Principal JH/SH & Central Elementary

God has blessed me with being part of three schools over my 33 years as a teacher and administrator. Each school has had a unique ministry and place in my heart. As unique and irreplaceable as these schools have been, one thing was constant: change. No two years have ever been the same. Just as with individuals, organizations are always on the move. By necessity we seem to be constantly re-inventing ourselves to stay current, adjust to a changing culture or economy, or to meet the needs of the generation we are ministering to. This change can be exciting and invigorating, but it can also be painful.

“God, this organization is perpetually on the road to the future: relocating, reorganizing, revising, restructuring, retooling, reinventing. And all this change results in an endless string of bruises, dislocations, cuts, strains, and breaks. No matter how necessary it is, every change hurts someone.

“There is so much pain in this world, God. So much loss of health, energy, love, opportunity, happiness, security, and due reward. These wounds are very real. So many of us are working wounded every day; it is a miracle that we accomplish so much. Touch us, Father. Console us, heal us. I know you love each of us, even those who choose to live far away from you or who injure themselves needlessly.

“The loss we cannot control is bad enough, God, but how I hate it when we do it to ourselves. We try to function like a family, but when family members hurt each other, it is worse than if we did not care about each other at all. Our caring for each other binds us together, but the grief is all the more intense when feelings are hurt and relationships are severed. We need your healing.

 From Leadership Prayers, by Richard Kriegbaum

“I am the Lord who heals you” – Exodus 15:26

Message from Sharon Leary, West Campus 2nd Grade Teacher

Spirit of Expectation

I am so excited to be in a position of expectation to see what God will do in my personal life and in our school! There are many areas in my life where God is stretching my faith; all opportunities for Him to show Himself strong. Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

My prayer has always been to serve God and glorify Him in my life. As a little girl, I remember listening to the stories of my mother and hearing how she served God as a nun in an orphanage. She told of God’s miracles and provision. As a young woman, just starting out in a serious relationship with the Lord, I listened to the stories of the miraculous things God had done in the life of my pastor’s wife. While listening to these stories, my thinking was always the same: “Lord, I want stories of my own.”

Now, many years later, there are days when I feel like shouting, “No more stories!!!” I sometimes think, “Can’t something in my life just be easy and normal?” But easy and normal don’t have anything to do with the God we serve nor His will for our lives. Isaiah 55:9 tells us, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Our goal is to go from faith to faith His way!

I love my testimonies of God’s faithfulness, loving-kindness, mercy, and provision much more after the stories are finished than while they are being created in my life. Each story has cost me something. Dying to self, crucifying the flesh, fighting fear, trusting God (not circumstances), walking in obedience, etc. are not always easy things to do. The good news is that, in the end, we have the victory! Revelation 12:11 tells us, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

I love that Phoenix Christian is developing an ongoing testimony of God’s faithfulness and goodness. When He looks at our circumstances and our future He says, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Do we believe Him? Are we waiting expectantly for Him to show Himself strong? Let’s take time today to thank and praise Him because we serve a great and mighty God! Soon we’ll have another great story!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Message from Debbie Klem, PCUS Board Chair

This is part one of a three part series from our Board Chair, Mrs. Debbie Klem. Mrs. Klem is the parent of 2 PC alums and is herself a graduate of ‘Christian High’. These come from the devotions shared with the Board in August 2010.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

We have so much to be thankful for at the beginning of this school year. It may seem like we didn’t quite make it with our enrollment numbers because we didn’t reach our goal of 10%. However, if viewed on the grander scale, I’ve been on the Board for 6 ½ years and this is the first year in those 6 ½ years that we did not experience an enrollment decline. And we prayed that God would bring the specific students that He has chosen to be with us this year. We have a number of new students including 39 international students from 10 different countries.

We had a few teaching positions to fill and God brought us excellent people to fill those slots. There were twists and turns in filling those positions, but ultimately I believe God really guided Jim and Phil and Donn to choose His choice for each position.

We may not know the solution yet to our financial dilemmas, but God has definitely been guiding us through those twists and turns, too. And when I consider our financial burden, I don’t believe we have this burden due to being poor stewards of what God has given us. Our burden is simply an opportunity for God to be God and for us to grow in faith, trust, and service.

As I was trying to collect all that was on my heart to share with you tonight, I went looking through our little library at home to see if God could help me assimilate my thoughts through any of those authors. I came across the book, “If Jesus Were Mayor” by Bob Moffitt of Harvest Ministries. And, it was clearly the book God chose for me to look through. It’s primarily written to churches, but one chapter in particular stood out to me for us as a Board and a school.

The chapter is titled “Kingdom Mathematics – Multiplication for Service”. Harvest ministries works with churches in many other countries and in this chapter he opens by referencing a church in Ethiopia that was part of a culture that believes poverty in its society can be significantly reduced only by outside resources. I know that we are not of that mindset, but it kind of caught my attention because we are in a situation where we are looking for outside resource help, first from the bank, but further outside as our loan may be sold to someone we don’t even know. So, I read on.

He presents what he calls multiplication for service. And I thought, that’s what we ultimately desire to do is to be able to serve families by providing a Christian school that teaches children through a Christian world view. In the concept of multiplication for service, the multiplying agent is God. A mentality of dependence on resources imprisons much of the church today and as we’re faced with our finances we, too, could become imprisoned by such a mentality. We need to constantly check that our dependence is on God. He may use outside resources, but we need to look to Him as our primary resource.

Message from Lois Leader, High School Teacher

God is a Mathematician!

Psalm 19: 1-2
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
And the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night declares knowledge.

When I attended the International Baccalaureate conference a few years ago, I found I had a much different experience from some of our faculty members who teach history, Bible or English. Although I was with a group of people with very diverse beliefs, there was an underlying appreciation for the structure of mathematics that seems to be built into the fabric of the universe. It was a point of connection to something beyond all of us that we could share. I didn’t have the sense of being in hostile territory that some of my humanities based colleagues did. Even an agnostic can acknowledge that there are incredible number patterns imbedded in our world.

Pi (3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751....) is built into every circular object in creation no matter how tiny or large. Divide the circumference of the circle by its diameter and you will always get pi. When a raindrop falls into water pi emerges in the spreading rings. Pi can be found in waves and spectra therefore pi occurs in music and colors. Pi has lately turned up in superstrings.

Phi (1.618033988749895... ), pronounced fi like "fly," is an irrational number like pi. DNA has spirals in phi proportions. In the 12th century, Leonardo Fibonacci discovered a simple numerical series that converges to phi. Starting with 0 and 1, each new number in the series is simply the sum of the two before it: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, . . . Fibonacci numbers occur in plant spirals and in stem branching.

The Number e = 2.71828182845904523536... crops up in nature all the time because e is used to make growth models for populations in the real world. So, you could say that nature follows the e-based growth curve.

These numbers are built into the very fabric of the universe and are there for us to discover. The important question that each discoverer needs to ask is, “How did they get there? What does there presence tell me?”

I love the answer to those questions and I enjoy sharing that answer with my students.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Message from Joe Frost Director of Technology & Operations

1Peter-5:1-3 So I exhort the elders among you... shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

**********

Our homes. Our classrooms. Our volunteer work at the community center. Wherever our sphere of influence finds us next, for those of us in leadership roles, we find ourselves challenged to willingly & humbly live out our days as role models.

As parents we've chosen to have children. We lead and direct them providing guidelines, relationships, and various opportunities to teach age appropriate life lessons in preparation for that all too soon - graduation to adulthood - where they find themselves out from under our roofs and rules, and our hope is that when they are old they won't turn from it.

As elders / shepherds everywhere, we consciously make the choice to reveal our lives in such a way that others can learn from our strengths and avoid some of the consequences of our weaknesses.

From the day of Spiritual maturity when we are weaned from milk to solid food to the day of retirement when our Lord chooses to take us home, and every day in between, our lives are not our own. We shine as lights on a hill. We are as ambassadors in a foreign land. We are aliens and strangers living in such a way so as to draw men unto Him. We are role models. With the voice of the Apostle Paul we echo, "follow us as we follow Christ."

Be a role model today, now...like Jesus. We won't do it perfectly, but in His strength we can live the life, role model it for others, and someday pass the responsibility to the next in line knowing that soon we'll hear His voice of grace & truth, "Well done good & faithful servant..."

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Message from Darren Johnson, Development Director

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock." Matthew 7:24

Luke's account says that the wise man digs deeply to get to that bedrock foundation.

"Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." Matthew 7:25-27

The same storm seems to hit everybody's lives. The Christian is not immune to the storms of life, but what happens is that the Lord says that the strong house is built upon the doing of His Word. That house is going to stand because you've built your life upon the firm foundation of what He says, and you're doing it. Those who merely hear are building on sand. If you are hearing the Word and not doing it, your house is going to collapse!

The time to learn the Word of God is now and not in a time of crisis. If you don't know how to swim and you fall into someone's pool, that's not the time to learn how to swim. If you're out on the lake and fall overboard, that's not the time to learn to swim. A lot of people don't really begin to apply and do what they've heard until they're in a crisis. When they hear they have cancer or a relative is sick and dying, or they have an accident, they think, "Oh, what was it that I heard about this five years ago?" The time to apply the Word of God is now. Get it into your life so that it is woven into the fabric of your life, and that way, when the storms come, your life is going to have strength to it.

Look at what Jesus said in Luke 11:28:

"Jesus replied, 'But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.' "

Message from Janice Koivisto, Junior High Teacher

Our Biggest Fan, Our Incredible Cheerleader, Our Greatest Advocate

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31

Ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that I LOVE football! Come fall every year, I watch 4 to 5 collegiate games on Saturdays, 2 to 3 NFL games on Sundays and Monday Night Football is where you’ll find me to start my week. People ask me which team I like best, and who do I cheer for. Actually, I cheer for any and all of them! In any given contest, I will choose a team and cheer like crazy for them!

But when the Phoenix Christian Cougars are playing, my SERIOUS FAN loyalty kicks into gear…I encourage the defensive line, I “hurrah” for the O-line, I clang my cowbell for a great tackle or a flat-out run, and yes, I harangue the “zebras” and offer them my bifocals so they can see to make better calls! I wear my victory beads, I deck out in Cougar Green & Gray, and yes, I stomp my feet and yell a lot!!

As great a fan as I may think I am, advocating for the Cougars, taking their side and supporting them, I pale in comparison to Our Great Advocate, Jehovah God.

God guards and protects those who belong to Him…He is the tackle on our D-line and the guard on our O-line….Now, that doesn’t mean that all our plays will run smoothly and our games will be victories. We will encounter people who oppose us and are determined to harm us. Satan will never grow tired of trying to lure us into sin and pull us offside. Notice that in James chapter 1 it says, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” not “if you fall into various trials.” So difficulties and enemies, trials and adversities are a certainty for us.

But in the midst of these tough times, the persecutions, the “long fourth quarters”, there it comes….flashing across the big screen: “GOD IS FOR US”. He is our shield, our security, our protector. God’s power gives us victory that is greater than any power that might attempt to defeat us. He can overrule all things, and nothing can overrule Him (not even the “zebras”)!

So, buck up, my teammate! God is on our side! He’s the greatest Fan we could ever have, cheering for us, advocating for us, fighting for us! The game is tough right now, the enemy facing us looks big and mean, and yet still we hear Him cheering our name, calling to us and standing with us!

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Message from Donn Start, Principal West Valley Campus

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3 NIV)

How you choose to think will not only affect what you expect from life, but what you do and become for God. That means your thoughts determine how you'll respond to stresses at home, challenges at work, and whatever dissatisfaction you might feel in your present circumstances.

As Christian educators getting ready for school each day, I encourage each of us to wear an attitude that we aren’t just preparing for a day at work, but rather that we are preparing to make critical contributions to the kingdom of God. Getting up each morning knowing that God will find ways to use me for His kingdom is so much easier than getting up in the morning for the purpose of making or selling widgets for some corporation. Praise Jesus for the special opportunity of making a difference in the lives of people that God loves.

Message from Carol Kirchman, West Campus Kindergarten Teacher

Jeremiah 18:1-6 says, “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.”

This passage was part of my devotions a couple weeks ago. I was reminded of this passage this weekend as I watched my daughter and new son-in-law get married. A couple of years ago she was broken and torn. She was going through a difficult time, for her husband had decided to divorce her, leaving her with two children and no where to turn. She was devastated and she felt as if her whole world had turned upside down. We took her in and began to minister to her. She began to seek God in everything she did. It was rough but as God began to work in her life, He shaped and formed her into a strong woman of courage and strength. She is devoted to the things of God and seeks God daily. It was awesome to see her change into the person she has become today.

We at PC also have the privilege of working with children of all ages. God has entrusted them into our care for such a time as this. We are the potters and the children are the clay. Each child is clay in our hands and we take part in the shaping and molding of them. We have an awesome responsibility and we can not do it without God’s help for He is the ultimate potter.

My heart’s prayer is that God will grant you, each and everyday an opportunity to speak into a child’s life.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Message from Phil Adams, Principal JH/SH & Central Elementary

Often we experience deep waters individually and corporately. My prayer for all of us is to become all we should be both in our personal lives and in the life of Phoenix Christian during these times of testing. Thanks to my wife Cindy who shared these thoughts from her Bible study.

The Blessings That Can Result From Suffering
1. Suffering prepares us to help others who are suffering. II Cor. 1:3-7

2. Suffering teaches us to rely, not on ourselves, but on God. II Cor.1:8-9

3. Suffering is a reminder that the Savior understands my hurt because He also endured every sorrow and every stab of pain. I Peter 4:12-13

4. Suffering can point us to obedience. Ps. 119:67, Is. 38:17

5. Suffering draws our attention to God’s Word. Ps. 119:71, 92

6. Through suffering our faith is proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. I Peter 1:6-7

7. Suffering produces perseverance and maturity. James 1:2

8. Suffering teaches us about the sufficiency of God’s grace. II Cor. 12:7-10

9. Suffering provides courage for the journey. II Cor 4:16-18

Monday, October 11, 2010

Message from Jim Koan, Superintendent

“From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God” (Chris Tomlin)

Click here to hear and see Chris' song "Indescribable".

These words come to mind as I reflect on this past weekend’s visit to the Grand Canyon. God’s awesome power and His creativity are on display, not just up there, but all around us.

Scripture says…

“God’s glory is on tour in the skies,
God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures every evening.

Their words aren’t heard,
Their voices aren’t recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
Unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.” Psalm 19:1-4

It is humbling to stand on the edge of that vast chasm and know that the God who created this world, with all its beauty and uniqueness and vitality is the God who loves us, and made each of you beautiful , unique, and vital to Him.

Message from Gretchen Janes, Central Preschool Teacher

“I pray that you will understand how long and high and deep and wide the love of Jesus is.” Ephesians 3:17-18

I was raised by Midwestern, God-fearing parents who were in attendance every time the church doors were open, so naturally I attended traditional Sunday School every Sunday of my young life. I know many Sunday School songs and enjoy digging them up to pass on to my preschool class. Perhaps, you’ll recall this one:

Deep and wide, deep and wide.
There’s a fountain flowing deep and wide.
Deep and wide, deep and wide.
There’s a fountain flowing deep and wide.
(I know you want to do the motions!)

This is what I tell preschoolers when teaching them this song:

God’s love is like a fountain.
Fountains pour out cool water to drink when we are hot and tired.
Sometimes we feel tired inside us, in our spirits.
Our spirits can feel God’s love.
God’s love gives our spirits new energy like water gives our bodies new energy.
God’s love is deep and wide.
There is plenty for everyone.

So many of those Sunday School songs were teaching me a theology that I was in no way, shape or form comprehending at that time. But through the years I have learned over and over that God’s love is the greatest and it is plentiful!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Message from Gena Horn, Admin. Assistant Technology/Operations

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Eph. 3:20

God has shown me in many different ways how to trust Him more and lean completely upon Him for everything. His love and His faithfulness never cease to amaze me. In the past I have limited God in my own thinking and my own weaknesses but I have learned to pray big and expect big things from God. PC has meant a lot to me and my family. I came here as a freshman, my dad taught here, and both of my girls are PC graduates. I know God isn't finished with Phoenix Christian. There are challenges up ahead but nothing is too big for our God.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Message from Renee Trapp, Business Manager

COURAGE

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)


During a particularly long stretch of bad news, a well-known television news anchorman began ending his evening broadcast with one word: Courage. After a while, his television executives told him to stop using that word. It was too discouraging.

I have heard it said that courage is not the absence of fear; it is the strength of heart to act in spite of fear. With God, courage means doing what needs to be done, believing He is alive and acting with us in all of life’s situations.

Courage is a gift from God held out to all people in Jesus Christ. Jesus tells His disciples not to be afraid when they see Him walking on the lake in the dead of night. Terrified, they think they are seeing a ghost. “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). The important words here are “It is I.” In faith, with eyes fixed on Jesus, fear is replaced by courage.

Whatever we are afraid of, whatever weighs heavy on our minds and keeps us from living confidently in the face of this world’s terrors, the words of Jesus still apply. “Take heart; it is I.”

Lord God, give me Your Spirit to do Your will all my days. Amen.

(from Portals of Prayer, October-December 2010, by Edward Arle)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Message from Mary Hendricks, Central Elementary Teacher

A Symbol of Faithfulness

Jesus is FAITHFUL. We can depend on Him. Every aspect of God’s plan in history finds its completion in Him. All God’s promises are fulfilled in Him. Jesus says. . . Come to me for the strength to endure to the end. Lean on me. No matter what the trial, I will be with you through it all . . .”
At the Name of Jesus by Sarah Hornsby

In every situation in our lives we need to remember that Jesus is our faithful Heavenly Father. My first personal experience with faith began as a young child when my grandmother taught me that I could depend on God to listen to my prayers and to answer them. I gave my heart to the Lord at ten years old and began my personal journey of faith. My first faith challenge came as a freshman at Greenville College. I was asking the Lord to lead me to a Christian man who had committed his whole heart and life to the Lord. I was surprised when God answered my prayer, even though I never doubted Him. I met Jay Hendricks at the end of my freshman year and we were married a year and three months later in 1973.

Compared to the wedding standards of today we had an inexpensive and simple church wedding. I never dreamed of the steps of faith we would be taking together in the years to come, or of the miraculous power of God’s faithfulness in our lives. We had borrowed a simple cake topper of wedding bells that Jay’s parents had used on their cake twenty-three years before our wedding. The bells have become a symbol of love and faithfulness in our family as we watched Jay’s parents work through sixty years of marriage.

God’s constant answers to prayer and His guidance in our lives has once again been revealed to me this summer when our son Will asked if he could use the cake topper for his wedding cake. We found the bells with the gold flowers and leaves left from Grandma and Grandpa’s 50th wedding party. On September 11, 2010 Will and Anne used the bells that represented a new beginning in their lives together, just as Jay and I had thirty seven years before. The September 11, 2010 wedding in Ohio brought family and friends together with much rejoicing over God’s faithfulness for both the bride’s and the groom’s families.

Two weeks ago our son Brian proposed to a marvelous young lady named Jamie Haas. They have already told us that the wedding cake topper is going to be used on June 11, 2011. The gold leaves and flowers may change to new colors and a more retro look this time. That will not change the faithfulness that God has shown to our family as he has blessed us with wonderful sons and “daughters.”

Jay and I praise the Lord for the place that Phoenix Christian has had in our lives for many years. Phoenix Christian is our extended family. We believe that God’s faithfulness will continue to keep Phoenix Christian strong and growing, so more young men and women will serve the Lord all over the world, for many years to come.

Psalm 145:13 “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”

Message from Donn Start, Principal West Valley Campus

“So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:16)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23).

People throughout the world try to acquire these virtues through counseling or self-help books. Yet the Bible says that if we walk with God, the Spirit filled life will produce all these things within us. When we give our lives to God each day, He will create a right heart in us. It is then that we will want to do the things He would have us do.

My prayer is that each day you and I will be intentional in seeking God so that He will create a right heart in us. Only then are we truly able to live our lives in a manner that brings us peace and pleases God.

Blessings to you on a Christ-filled day.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Message from Jay Hendricks, High School Teacher

Annie Dillard, in her book An American Childhood says, “If I was so all-fired bright, as my parents, who had patently no basis for comparison, seemed to think, why did I have to keep learning this same thing over and over?”

Sometimes that seems to be the motto for my life.

“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?”
Ecclesiastes 7:20-24 (ESV)

Anne Lamott says in Bird by Bird, "You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."

Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV)
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Ultimately this is reassuring. Fortunately God’s standard exceeds mine for both perfection and grace, and I must remind myself daily that the cliché “God is not finished with me yet,” however trite, is true for me, my friends, my students, their parents, all who are in authority over me, people in general, even the idiot who drives so slow in the morning he makes me late for work.

I learn this lesson over and over when I come in contact with former students who drove me a little crazy but are now walking hand-in-hand with their children, and are pastors, and police, and firemen, and doctors, and social workers, and most unbelievable of all, teachers.

Message from Phil Adams, Principal JH/SH & Central Elementary

And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.
I Kings 19:11-12

In my experience God has never used wind, earthquakes, or fire to speak to me. As a matter of fact no one I know has ever experienced that either. These events may get our attention, or put us on notice, but God has already gone on record as to what He requires. His written word and His incarnate Word have always been available to us, as is His Holy Spirit. We have all that we need.

“Because you love me, you want me to know the right thing to do, the right direction, the true meaning of every situation. You want me to choose wisely. You want what is best for everyone. You want me to see what you are doing, to understand the reality of things as you do.

“I need a special gift of foresight, Father, I know your guidance is subtle; you are gentle with me. You do not shout orders, so I will wait for your Spirit to whisper what is true, shed light on what is wise, make sense of all the indicators. The choices may be mine, but the foresight and wisdom must be yours. I want to know your mind.

From Leadership Prayers, by Richard Kriegbaum

Monday, October 4, 2010

Message from Jim Koan, Superintendent

20May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 (New International Version)

It is not often this summer I have had occasion to shiver (“How many days were we in triple digits?”) but I have to tell you I visibly shivered today when I read this scripture. Like many in our school leadership, the majority of my attention this past week has been on the financial challenges we face as a school and seeking to perceive a Godly response to these challenges and opportunities before us. I knew that minds have been racing and wheels turning, wondering how God was going to provide and anxious to see His hand of provision and direction. I wanted to offer words of encouragement to them on our ‘God of peace’ and this was the last entry that www.BibleGateway.com pulled up.

As I read it I felt God speak to me “Jim, hear this: I’ve got you covered. I can raise the dead, I’m watching over you like a shepherd does His feeble minded flock, and I can equip you and your team for every good work I intend you to do.” There go those shivers again.

God planned every moment of Jesus’ days on this earth, and He’s planned our days as well (Jer. 29:11). When He says “Move!” I am gonna move, but for now, I am enjoying casting all my cares on Him and I plan to enjoy snuggling up to my Abba-Father, my ‘God of peace.’ Hope you’ll come and join me.

Message from Colleen Helman, High School Teacher

Recently, I asked my first-hour class what God was like. I got answers such as “He’s awesome,” “He’s cool,” and “He’s very big and powerful.” These are all great answers, but I was hoping for ideas a bit more profound and inspired to describe the characteristics of God.

Then, I read to the class from a wonderful book from which I draw many of our first-period devotions. One could have heard a pin drop as we proceeded through the “TOP 10” list of God’s qualities.

God’s Top Ten Qualities

10. God doesn’t need to ask for permission. He’s the chief, head honcho, boss, ruler, president, CEO of all that is. God has complete control.

9. God doesn’t die, pass away, kick the bucket. He’s the eternal one. He’s not
bound to time. He’s always been around. He sees the past, present, and future.
He’s got no beginning and no end. He is eternal.

8. God doesn’t need help when he watches “Jeopardy”; He knows all the answers
He knows all the questions. Nothing surprises Him. He created everything.

7. God doesn’t need to travel to get there. He is already there, always has been
there, always will be there. You can run, but you can’t hide. He sees you; He
never has His eyes off you. He fills all space. God is everywhere.

6. God doesn’t need to recharge His batteries. He doesn’t get tired, doesn’t have to
sit down, doesn’t need a rest. He has total strength, never lacks strength. He
can do all things at once. His strength has no end, no limits. God is all-powerful.

5. God doesn’t say, “Oops, I didn’t mean to do that.” He never changes His mind.
He doesn’t flip-flop, doesn’t have to rethink the issues. He always does what
He says He will do, keeps His Word. He keeps His promises. He’s the same
every day. The same yesterday, the same today, the same forever. God never
changes.

4. God doesn’t have to say, “Forgive Me, sorry, oh, was that your foot?” He never
made things go wrong, got a ticket, broke a law, was in any way incorrect. He’s
perfect. God is righteous.

3. God doesn’t have to appeal to a high court for justice; He is justice. He never
treats anybody unfairly, never shows favoritism, never picks one over the other.
He always shows mercy, always brings total justice. He’s fair, unbiased. God is
just.

2. God doesn’t lie. He never told a little white lie. He never stretched the truth, exaggerated, was confused, mistaken, or had the facts wrong. He’s not a deceiver. He’s always honest. If He says it true, bank on it. God is total truth.

1. God doesn’t wait until you’ve got you act together to love you. He loves you if you’re over weight, if you’re skinny, if you think you’re smart, if you think you’re dumb, if you brush your teeth, if you have no teeth, if you kick your dog. (Don’t kick the dog!) He loves you even when you sin, loved you while you were still sinning, loved you when you didn’t even know He loved you. His love is pure. His love is perfect. It never fails, never goes away, isn’t conditional. He gives it freely, doesn’t hold back, pours it on. Keeps it coming. God is love.

God is trustworthy because He is God. He doesn’t conform to a standard—He is the standard. He is holy because holiness is defined by who God is. He is the fullness of purity and righteousness.

From Extreme Faith by Neil T. Anderson and Dave Park

I wonder how well I would do describing the Most High God. How well do I daily portray God’s top ten qualities to my students? My prayer is that they will daily see these qualities in each of us.

BTW, I shared this Top 10 List with each of my classes that day. . and . . . during 5th period, one of the students asked why we always talk so much about Jesus dying for us. I was able to share the plan of salvation with the entire class. Please pray with me that God will use that explanation in the lives of these students as the year progresses.

Colossians 3:23

Friday, October 1, 2010

Message from Harold Harmon, High School Teacher

This summer was a very difficult summer for the Harmon family. Losing my girls that have occupied a major portion of our lives for 4 ½ years was very hard – it literally broke my heart. We were able to see them twice for two hours over the summer and probably will never see them again. The adoptive parents desire to cut all ties between us and the girls. I personally spent most of the summer grieving. I cried an ocean of tears and lost 25 pounds in the process. We still can’t look at photos, of which we have 1000’s, and fall apart when we have to discuss the girls in any context. I know the difficulty of losing the children is why most people don’t open their homes to foster care. Our comfort this summer came from the Lord and the knowledge that the girls now have a wonderful for-ever family that can provide them with opportunities that we never could; that they are no longer foster children but are real children in a real family.

I learned through this a strong lesson in faith and having to trust God during circumstances that are completely beyond our control. The fact that the girls went to a Mormon home was very distressing to us; but, the scripture that keeps coming to mind is that God is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him. We gain comfort in knowing that the girls came to a saving knowledge of Christ while in our care and we trust God to protect their little minds from the doctrine that they will be exposed to in their new home. We also leaned heavily on the scriptures in 1 Corinthians 13 that teaches that true love does not seek its own but seeks, rather, what is in the best interest of the object of that love. I wanted to be selfish and adopt the girls but that would not have been the best for them. Sabrina and I made a pact before they left that I will be waiting for her when she gets to Heaven; that I will show her around and take her to see Jesus, and that we will hang out for about a l000 years. We now have two little girls, ages 6 and 11, and are learning to love them as well.

Message from Joe Frost Director of Technology & Operations

1Peter-4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.

**********

At some point in our lives we came to know Jesus as our Savior and we began our Spiritual lives as children much like we began our human lives. And God the Father began teaching each of us the lessons of eternal life, nurturing the absolute best in us using circumstances designed for us.

Just as each of us is unique with our own fingerprints and DNA, our Father will use whatever unique life lesson is necessary to continually grow us up even if we don't want to, using lessons we ordinarily wouldn't choose for ourselves. Let's face it, patience may be a fruit of the Spirit, but very few would intentionally choose the intense trials it takes for us to see that fruit flourish and mature in us.

Some trials may be more intense than others. Some may catch us off guard. But no circumstance takes God off guard and He uses all of them to work together for our good.

So, when something happens in our lives that's out of our control, look for the lesson and perhaps what's even more important look for our response. Once we see life's trials as lessons for our benefit we can see snarled, crawling traffic as an opportunity to turn up the radio and sing. We can see the guy that just cut in front of us in line at the check-out counter as a test for self-control. And we can deal with the ridicule of our Christian beliefs as an opportunity to be better prepared to give an answer for the hope we have.

Stand fast when the trials of life hit and trust that our Abba Father - Dad loves us so much that He wants us not only to share in Christ's sufferings, but in His inheritance as well. Jesus left to prepare a place for us with the Father and we're invited to join Him...soon.

For now, believe, stand fast, grow, tell a friend :)