Message from Lorraine Barrett, High School Teacher

In my reflection on our school’s theme “illumination”, I meditated on what it means to be a light to the world. I asked my students on their first day back to school from camp to write a reflection illustrating their experience. I posted several different ideas that they could reflect on, yet, I posted one specific question that was mandatory in their reflection, “How are you going to be a light this year?” As a result (and not a surprise), I had various different answers depending on where each student was in his/her life, whether they are believers in Jesus or non-believers. In my concern and deliberation the Lord brought me back to these scriptures:

 John 1: 1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Once again, I am reminded that All Things were made through Jesus and for Jesus; we cannot be lights without being born again. We can’t shine brightly without the life and light of Jesus living in us, and through us. Jesus IS the light! Not only that, He is the way to the light and He is the truth. So based on God’s foundational statements, “I am the way, the truth and the life…..I am the light of the word” (John 8: 12), without Christ living in our hearts, we cannot be a light. Our nonbelieving students cannot be a light....But they can experience the light through our strong leadership as Christian teachers, administrators, staff and their fellow Christian students. This is what Jesus has called us to do. By no other name are we saved, but by the name of Jesus. My prayer is that our unbelieving students come to know Jesus.

I encourage you to go back and read 1 John 1: 1-7. It blessed me and I hope it blesses you too. Have a wonderful day.

Message from Superintendent, Phil Adams

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.     Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)

Success this year, both personally and corporately, rests in large part on our relationships. Many relationships will be developed over the course of the school year. The world teaches us to gain the upper hand, to make sure we protect ourselves, to always strive for mastery, not over our sinful selves as the Bible teaches, but over others. This is not how Jesus lived or taught. My prayer for myself, and for each of us, is to have the mind of Christ in all things. Only in this way will Phoenix Christian "Prepare our Students for the abundant life through an encounter with God's truth".

Here are the words of the hymn, "May the Mind of Christ My Savior". I believe it captures the essence of the passage from Philippians. Following is a link to a vocalist singing the hymn. Be blessed today and throughout the year!

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.