Thursday, September 29, 2011

Message from Darren Johnson, Development Director

“No Fear”

But Moses protested again, 'Look, they won't believe me! They won't do what I tell them. They'll just say, "The LORD never appeared to you."
Exodus 4:1

I think at this point Moses, just like us, was worried about results.

He tells the Lord, "They won't believe me! They won't do what I tell them."

Sometimes we are afraid to step out and do what God calls us to do for fear of failing, or fear of looking like a failure. It is important that we do not become discouraged from stepping out on the adventure God is calling us to. All that we are responsible for is being obedient. The results are God's department!

When Moses worried about results, God referred him to that staff in his hand. God was saying there will be many who will believe when they see what I am doing through you “That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee” Exodus 4:5

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Message from Gretchen Janes, Admissions & Development

Psalm 96:1-3

Sing to GOD a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders!

He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.
2 God made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.
3 He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.

The whole earth comes to attention.
Look—God's work of salvation!

Psalm 149:1-3
Hallelujah! Sing to GOD a brand-new song,
praise him in the company of all who love him.
Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
Zion's children exult in their King.
Let them praise his name in dance;
strike up the band and make great music!
And why? Because GOD delights in his people,
festoons plain folk with salvation garlands

I was blessed with a ticket this past weekend to attend Women of Faith! Patsy Clairmont’s first message spoke to me in a big way. She simply said, “Be still or you may miss the words to your new song!” I don’t want to miss out!

How sad to miss out on your custom song for the day! Every day a new song is written just for each of us. We need to be still and ask Him every morning for the words. Just be still!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Message from Gena Horn, Technolgy & Operations Assistant

Faith--is the Pierless Bridge Supporting what We see Unto the Scene that We do not." -- Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

Blind Faith
One day when a man was skiing in Colorado, he saw some people wearing red vests with the words BLIND SKIER. He thought, "I have a hard enough time skiing with two good eyes, how can they ski successfully with none?" The answer was - they had a guide whose instructions they totally trusted and followed! As the guide skied beside them, he'd tap his ski poles together and assure them he was there. Then he'd say, "Go right! Turn left! Stop! Slow! Skier coming up on your right!"

What a picture. Life is like skiing downhill blind. We can't see even 5 seconds into the future. We can't see the struggles to come or all the other skiers who might run into us, or over us. And those fears are heightened when we recall how often we've been blindsided by circumstances we didn't see coming. Humanly speaking it leaves the strongest of us feeling vulnerable. And that's when we must place our confidence in the God who never changes and never fails. Here's what He has to say to you today: "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths. I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them" (Is 42:16 N1V).

What is it that gets you through the unfamiliar places, the dark places, and the rough places in life? Faith and trust in God's Word .. In God's rock-solid promise: "I will guide [you]... I will not forsake ...As with "trust," faith involves a concept of future events or outcomes. His assurance is all you need! We can say, "Scio Cui Credidi" ..the words -- taken from the first letter of Paul to Timothy -- meaning "I know him in whom I have believed."

From Clear Vision Bible Studies

Friday, September 23, 2011

Message from Jay Hendricks, High School Teacher

Galatians 6:9,10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

While visiting my mother just this week, Mary and I met the Hospice of the Valley chaplain who has been ministering to both my mother and father for the past few months. His name is Keith Voss, and it turns out that not only is he a graduate of Phoenix Christian, but he was a friend of my sister’s when she was a student here. He told us that his experience in chorale at PC instilled in him a love for music but also gave him the confidence to use this gift in his ministry on a regular basis. Just as teachers at Phoenix Christian have been a blessing to him, he has passed that blessing on to others till it has come full circle. At the proper time, his ministry is a blessing to Mary and I, two teachers at PC.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Message from Mary Hendricks, Fourth Grade Teacher

Time Passing and New Seasons Emerging

The seasons have always been a delight and a blessing to me from early childhood to the present day. I loved the springtime in the Midwest when the snow and ice melted and the warm winds blew away cloudy, dreary days. Easter bonnets, white shoes, gloves, and purses were a sign of spring days. Kites flying high above the trees while birds build new nests for their hatchlings, were sure signs that spring was around the next gentle rain shower.

Warm summer days with long bike rides to the candy store and my brother’s evening baseball game cut short with tornado warnings. Hurrying to the nearest basement to find protection from flying pieces of the neighbor’s garage made summer memories never to be forgotten.

Red, yellow, orange, and brown edged leaves, with wet Halloween trick-or-treaters bring vivid fall memories along with the youth group hayrides, holding hands, and lots of sneezing.

Ice cold Chicago snowstorms where you found yourself shoveling out of the front door, which meant a snow day! Sliding down hills as fast as your sled could go, as fingers and toes were too numb to wiggle.

Now I think of seasons more as time passing in my walk with the Lord. Now many past days blend together closing certain chapters, and writing new pages in the seasons of my life.

Ecclesiastes 3

1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

As I have read the book, Too Busy Not to Pray, I have considered other areas of life where we seem to find ourselves too busy to enjoy each new season.
I have been reflecting on these experiences and I challenge you to think of a few of your own.

Do we find ourselves. . .

Too busy not to rest.

Too busy not to heal.

Too busy not to build new relationships.

Too busy not to listen to our spouses, children, or grandchildren’s joys or sorrows.

Too busy not to live life with Christ, to it’s greatest potential.

Too busy not to leave this world for Heaven.

Too busy not to mourn for those we are losing or have lost in the past.

Too busy not to cry or share our deepest emotions with those we love.

Too busy not to REJOICE IN THE HOPE OF LIFE EVERLASTING EVERYDAY WE LIVE!

Let’s continue to find time to pray and to walk as close to the Lord as we can get in this world.

Then we will truly be ready for the DAYS OF REJOICING YET TO COME.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Message from Colleen Helman, High School Teacher

Am I Praying or Multi-Tasking?

During a recent conversation with friends about Bill Hybels’ book, Too Busy to Pray, the discussion turned to whether or not a person should have a special place to pray and spend time with God. The point was raised that we can pray anywhere, at anytime. No special place is needed when praying. Each of us can talk to God while we are driving to work, walking the dog, fixing dinner, creating a continual conversation with God throughout the day.

It occurred to me that, while I do pray all the way through the day, I have often neglected to find a planned, set-aside time that is His alone, with no interruptions. I am great at multi-tasking and doing many things at once. It is a valuable skill in our culture, a sign of being able to accomplish much in a short amount of time. I have let that become a substitute, at times, for uninterrupted time with God.

As empty-nesters, we cherish the times when our children come by to see my husband and me. Whenever Melissa or Jonathan are in the house, I want to have some time to sit down, in my favorite room, and talk with one of them without the interruptions from cell phones, computers or television. I don’t want to compete with those things. I cherish a face to face conversation, for five or ten minutes, as they tell me about what is happening in their lives.

I have often asked God to be content with my distracted prayers that are mixed with the everyday things that I need to get done while I talk with Him. Of course there is a great blessing and value in continuous prayer during the day, in addition to the intimate, one-on-one time with the Father. I want the uninterrupted time with Him to be a highly-prized part of my day.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God.
Psalm 146: 3-5 NIV

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Message from Brandon Harris, Head Football Coach

A few weeks ago in prayer I had a recollection of this passage of scripture. I think as I sit in admin meetings, work to rebuild our football program this word resonated with me. Then one of my assistant coaches read this same scripture and sent it to me via text. That's confirmation in my mind. PC we should expect a new thing, something greater then we can even think or imagine.

Isaiah 43: 18-21
KJV

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Message from Harold Harmon, High School Teacher

This was an amazing weekend for our bimonthly trip to Mexico. Because of sizable contributions made by my daughter’s church and some amazing back-to-school sales on school supplies (or course we had to go back over and over because of the limits imposed) we were able to purchase two full size six burner propane stoves for two of our families, hand out over two hundred filled backpacks, almost a hundred pairs of shoes, and bags and bags of clothing to families we had never reached before. That is addition to the normal $2000 food distribution that our organization hands out every month. God is richly blessing our efforts in Mexico. The sad part, however, is that we are only reaching a drop in the ocean of need that engulfs the entire country!

As we were looking back and honoring those who perished in 2001, my mind went back to one of the greatest honors that I have been given. In 2008, Sandy and I went as chaperones with Northwest’s choir to New York City. The choir sang at West Point and some other remarkable places. However, we practiced each day at a 100+ year old chapel across the way from ground zero. The chapel had been miraculously saved from destruction because it is surrounded by very large trees. It became the staging area for assisting the wounded and feeding the firefighters and policemen in the aftermath of the destruction that took place. In that chapel Amazing Grace had been played every day since 9/11 and had been played by some very famous people that had come in just for that purpose. The day I was there, I was honored to be the one that played Amazing Grace on the piano as all that were there stood in reverence. I will never forget that experience.

God is an awesome God. It occurred to me the other day that nothing occurs to God. He doesn’t get wiser with age and He is never taken by surprise. When we look at the poverty and destruction around us, the natural response sometimes is to wonder if maybe God is on vacation and is unaware or unmoved by our struggles. We have to remember that God is in control and His ways are higher than our ways. Our obligation is to trust and enlarge the family until He comes.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Message from Alicia Galindo, Human Resources Manager

Romans 15:4 (NIV)

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

When times are tough, how do you overcome discouragement? God knew we would need spiritual encouragement to keep going. He offers us encouragement and inspiration through His Word. Through biographies of men and women who walked with God, journals of spiritual leaders, records of God’s work through the ages, messages from prophets and teachers, not to mention the life and teachings of Jesus.

If your strength is lagging, lacking, little or low…Ask God to strengthen you through His Word today!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Message from Laura Furedy, Preschool Director

Fan Your Flame

Zeal is simply another word for passion. Too many people today have lost their passion and enthusiasm for life. They've lost their fire.

Friend, God wants you to live with passion! You weren't meant to live a stagnant, ordinary life. You serve an extraordinary God, and you are called to be a reflection of Him.

The truth is, most of life can be very routine. We have to work to keep things fresh. We have to put forth effort to stay passionate about our jobs, relationships, and our walk with the Lord. I believe every day we need to stir ourselves up. Just like the apostle Paul told Timothy, today I'm telling you to "fan your flame!" In other words, don't let the fire go out. Stay passionate about your life so you can move forward and embrace the dreams God has placed within you!

Joel Osteen

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Message from Joe Frost, Director of Technology & Operations

Matthew-9:18-35 ...a woman who had suffered...for 12 years...said to herself, "if only I touch his [Jesus'] garment, I will be made well" [and she was]. [A ruler's daughter had died]...and when Jesus came to the ruler's house...he [Jesus] went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose...two blind men followed him [Jesus] crying aloud, "Have mercy on us"...Then he touched their eyes...And their eyes were opened...A demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him [Jesus]...And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke...And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching...and proclaiming the gospel...and healing every disease and every affliction...Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

**********

Jesus is hanging out with some new friends at dinner when suddenly all ministry breaks loose. Dinner is officially over...

Some guy without an invitation crashes the group begging Jesus to come revive his daughter that just died - okay, good reason to disrupt the dinner party - and they head out.

While he's on the way some lady grabs just the edge of his jacket and Jesus catches her, but instead of telling her to back off he tells her that her faith has healed her.

Finally, they arrive at the first guy's house and there's a crowd, but these people laugh at him instead of listen, so he just goes inside, takes the dead girl's hand as if to arouse her from sleep and she gets right up. I sure wish I could have seen her dad's face when she came running out to see him!

No sooner does he leave the girl with her dad when a couple blind guys come begging Jesus to heal them. So he touches their eyes and tells them according to their faith they're healed.

And just when you think it's time for a break, another crowd brings a really scary guy to him that they say has a demon and can't talk. So, Jesus gets rid of the demon and the guy starts talking. I'm sure he said thanks in there somewhere, but remember this guy hasn't talked for a while...

This reads like it's just another day in the life of Jesus. He eats. He hangs out with friends. His schedule is flexible. He prioritizes ministry over partying. He heals a lot of people. He doesn't react when people laugh at him or make mean accusations.

And HE challenges us not just to pray that HE sends out workers to do the same - HE challenges us to follow HIM and BE THE WORKERS that do the same...

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Message from Irma Flores, Second Grade Teacher

My devotion comes from Numbers 27:1-4 which tells of the daughters of Zelophedad.

Since only sons inherited property under Hebrew law, Zelophedad's family would not have land in the Promised Land. So the daughters approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, the princes and all the congregation and spoke for their father who did not join the company of Korah in rebellion. They requested an inheritance in their father's name since he had no son. Moses brought the matter to the Lord and He showed favor in what they had requested. The daughters weren't looking for personal gain but were wanting to preserve their family line which God valued. God gave them an inheritance and thus made a change in the Hebrew law. I am impressed at the courage of these daughters to approach their leader and a large group, and also their loyalty to their family. They spoke up and were able to change Hebrew law to benefit daughters, too. I pray for myself to improve my courage, to make changes to benefit others, and to be loyal to my family and my family in Christ. May your daughters also be a blessing to you.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Message from Angie Dickerson, Admin. Assistant to Principal

An encouraging word for us here at PC to press on!

A while back, during some time with the Lord I read three sentences about clear-headed leadership that really blessed me. I pass them on to you in the hope that you will clearly hear a word of encouragement from our Lord Jesus.

Pass this on to Christian leaders you know who could use a word of encouragement:

"You are in the line of battle, and crisis is at hand. To falter a moment would be to imperil some holy interest. Other lives would be harmed by your pausing, holy interests would suffer, should your hands be folded." (Streams in the Desert, March 11).

The apostle Paul moved on, through difficulties, disappointments, troubles and suffering. He refused to be stopped in his call and in his work for the Lord. He had a determination to press on, no matter what!

"I PRESS ON so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12, NASB

"I PRESS ON toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14, NASB

"LET US PRESS ON to maturity." Hebrews 6:1, NASB

It’s not time to kick back and play, or to relax or be diverted from our devotion to Christ and His Church. Press on! Press on! Press on! Jesus is praying for you, His Spirit is empowering you! We’ll be going home soon!

"But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ Jesus grasped me. . . . But I do concentrate on this: I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal—my reward the hour of my high calling by God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12b-14, Phillips Translation

-Taken from GRACE Mail, 8/23/2011, Calvary Community Church

Friday, September 9, 2011

Message from Keith deLaet, High School Teacher

The Power of Understanding God Given Gifts

A few years ago, Yahoo Answers was asked. “I know there are famous people throughout history who were rebellious, troublesome kids, always being sent to the principal’s office, but have grown into respectable citizens; actors, writers, presidents, etc. Can anyone think of a few?

This is the Best Answer - Chosen by Voters: There are many. Consider Alexander Graham Bell, George Burns, Jim Carrey, Prince Charles, Agatha Christie, Winston Churchill, Bill Cosby, Salvadore Dali, Leonardo da Vinci, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry Ford, Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Ernest Hemingway, Dustin Hoffman, Magic Johnson, John F. Kennedy, John Lennon, Eleanor Roosevelt, Steven Spielberg, Henry Winkler and Robin Williams to name a few.

Some of those names may come as a surprise, but certainly many do not. As I thought about this dynamic in today’s world, I could not help but think of Joseph. He is given the gift of interpreting dreams, but in his youth he lacks wisdom and maturity in the use of the gift:

Genesis 37:5-8 5Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6He said to them, "Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold,(A) my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and(B) bowed down to my sheaf." 8His brothers said to him, "Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

As he matures, Joseph uses his gift with more wisdom. Genesis 41:17-41 17Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold,(A) in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. 18Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. 19Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, 20And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, 21but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. 22I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. 23Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, 24and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And(B) I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."

25Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also(D) seven years of famine. 33Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land[a] of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. 35And(J) let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, 39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40(L) You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command.[c] Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."

Certainly Joseph’s early choices were frustrating to their many, but what would have happened if he had been disciplined in a way that stifled the spiritual gifts and he viewed the use of the gifts as wrong? As Parents, we must affirm God’s gifts and encourage their use in God honoring ways, moving our children from immaturity to maturity and from irresponsibility to responsibility. This will require prayer, submission to God, and a personal awareness as to what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives as well as the lives of our children.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Message from Margaret Crotts, First Grade Teacher

Good News?

I’m not very accustomed to getting or hearing
good news. The stories that headline the news-
paper or the 6 o’clock news don’t typically tell
good news. It’s usually just the opposite. The
market fell? Wars or rumors of wars? Washington
gridlock? No rain? 116 degree temperatures?
Seriously??

I find myself not expecting good news. Mr. Koan
calls an unexpected staff meeting and the first
thing I think about is NOT “good news”!

However, the other day when I went to the mailbox I
found two pieces of good news! A refund check I
certainly wasn’t expecting and a credit on an
account that I didn’t realize was coming! Must be a
mistake!

The best thing we can do with genuinely good news
is to receive it, and the best news I’ve ever heard is
this:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we stand.”
Romans 5:1-2

Doesn’t that sound too good to be true? It’s not. The
Gospel is not too good to be true. Not even close!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Message from Marc Cram, High School Teacher

It’s fun being in a place of waiting and expectation. I feel that God is going to be doing a change in my life and I am waiting to see what that change is. I know that one change is the fact that I want to marry my girlfriend and am taking the steps towards that process, but I am also waiting on the Lord to provide the resources for the proposal and beyond. I know my girlfriend wants to be married now, but I also know the benefit of waiting and having patience.

Patience is a virtue that is lost in today’s culture. With the advent of the internet and technology we want everything now. I’ve been going through the Dave Ramsey financial peace series and he talks about how our great grandparents would never have a loan or credit, it wasn’t heard of. Then our grandparents might have had a house loan and maybe one other loan. Then our parents had a house loan and a car loan and a couple of credit cards. Then our current society has credit cards coming out our ears and so many people in debt beyond what they can pay. Why is this, because we just can’t wait to have stuff, we need it now. I am not immune to this way of thinking either, and it has got me into trouble. Now I am working out of the trouble and don’t plan on returning, but at the same time I am learning how to be patient and wait for the Lord to provide. It is okay to wait 1 year; 2 years; 5 years for something, and then when you get it, it will be so much more precious to you because you had to wait.

There is a story of a couple that made $80,000 per year and when they were newly married they decided to live meagerly on only $30,000 and save $50,000 per year for a house. They lived in a small over the garage apartment, renting for $200 per month and budgeting everything. The wife’s parents belittled them for not getting a home loan and purchasing a house right then, but they were patient. Four years later they had saved $200,000 and decided to buy a house. They bought an $180,000 dollar house for $150,000 because they had the cash in their hand ready to go, and then the husband gave his wife $50,000 and told her to furnish the house. They have a fully paid and furnished house in only four years! How many of us can say we have that? I sure don’t, but this gives me inspiration to be patient because you will be rewarded.

I know the patience that I talked about is mainly financial patience, but I know this applies to all aspects of life. We need to learn how to be patient in this current fast paced world and wait for the Lord to provide. When we are patient I know that he will provide and give us more than what we deserve because he is a good God.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Message from Bruce Consier, Athletic Director

What to do When You Feel Overwhelmed
Taken from Rick Warren

Let God give you strength.
Some of you know God will give you strength but you won’t let Him. You act as if it all depends on you. You keep saying, “If it’s to be it’s up to me.” Or “God helps those who helps themselves.” God didn’t say that! Ben Franklin said that. Neither of those statements are in the Bible. In fact, God says the exact opposite. It’s not up to you. It’s up to God. God wants to help us. And, yet, ironically, those of us in ministry very often try to go it alone when things get tough. Instead, we need to be believing and claiming the promise of God. He gives us over 7000 of them in the Bible.

The reason why this young little thirteen, fourteen-year-old peasant girl named Mary was not blown away by her overwhelming circumstances is she was a woman of the word. She claimed the promises of God. She knew them and she claimed them.

The Bible says this in Luke 1:34 in describing Mary, You are blessed for believing that the Lord will keep His promise to you (GW). She was calm and composed because she had the promises of God in her heart. That gave her strength.

One of the great promises you want to hold on to when you’re overwhelmed is Isaiah 43:2, When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you. Your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through the fire you will not be burned. The hard trials that come will not hurt you (GW). On your own strength you may drown when that flood comes. But not in God’s strength.

How do you get that kind of strength, the kind of strength Mary had? You get it by doing the same two things Mary did in this text. Where do you find strength when you’re overwhelmed?

You find it by praising God for His goodness.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Message from Jim Callahan, High School Teacher

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man that built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matt 7:24-27 ESV

There is a time and a place for the bottom line --- a clear, concise, summary statement of what is most important. Jesus gives us the bottom line at the end of what we call The Sermon on the Mount. This teaching session of Jesus is the most lengthy and detailed of all that we have recorded for us in the New Testament Scriptures. Therefore, it may be difficult for us to remember the details of all of what Jesus taught. To help us, our Lord ends his teaching with a house building illustration that delivers the bottom line for all of us --- BUILD YOUR HOUSE ON THE ROCK! We can and must remember this point. It will remind us to put his words into practice such that when the storms of life come, and they will come, our families, schools and other institutions will remain standing and thereby honor the Lord of Glory.