Message from Jim Callahan, High School Teacher

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation – if indeed you have tasked that the lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:1-3 ESV


We all start the Christ life as babies in Christ. There is nothing bad or shameful about this. It is a spiritual reality that we all experience. We also are to remain as babies or children throughout our Christian lives in regard to humility (Matt. 18:1-4) and evil (1Cor 14:20). However, it is not the will of God that we remain as babies in every sense forever; we are to “grow up into salvation” (1Pt 2:2). Paul tells the Corinthian Christians “Brothers, do not be Children in your thinking (1Cor 14:20). How does Peter direct us to grow in this passage? The answer here is by the elimination of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander in our lives. What is very interesting here is that Peter does not say that when you grow up you will be able to eliminate these things, but rather that the elimination of these things is a prerequisite to growth through the proper use of “pure spiritual milk.” May God by His grace enable us to eliminate these things in our lives.

Message from Yvonne Calderon, Junior High Teacher

Psalms 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.


Monday: a razor blade in my tire
Wednesday: I locked my keys in my car when the manual and the dealer tell me that it is IMPOSSIBLE
Thursday: After leaving school early to take Julia to the doctor, my CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SOON came on 2 miles from the dealership.
Friday: Art was diagnosed with glaucoma

If I looked at those situations just as I wrote those, my week would look fairly icky!

Here is the part where Psalm 91:4 became REAL!!!

Monday: The razor blade in my tire was about 1 mile away from school and Jose and Carroll changed my tire. When I called the tire store we patronize, the gentleman told me that they only had one tire to fit my car in the entire city. The tire was out in Goodyear. Would it be ok if I drove out there? God was watching over me because the ONLY store was 1.5 miles from my home.

Wednesday: Locking my keys in my trunk allowed me to remain on campus for another 30 minutes. I am not sure exactly how God was protecting Julia, Sihao and I. I am confident that His protective wing was over me.

Thursday: The CHECK ENGINE SOON light coming on 2 miles from the dealer was amazing. The bolts on my engine were cracking and set off the sensor. What a blessing that they were covered under warranty.

Friday: Art received the diagnosis we were warned may happen after the brain bleed. “You have glaucoma” However, this came with the encouraging words, “We caught this very early!”

I marvel at how the Lord went before me every minute of every day. I am not sure I would have noticed if it had not been for my bible study. It is interesting when we are reminded to see God’s goodness; it is right before our eyes. In lieu of feeling overwhelmed, I felt blessed.

Dear Lord, may we find the blessings you send our way!

Message from Karen Boyce, Business Office Manager

Its almost spring break!

"Are you tired? Worn out? … Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

I was camp counselor at a Jr/Sr High youth retreat a couple of weekends ago. The theme of the camp was “rest” focusing on Matthew 11:28. Honestly, teenagers and rest are an oxymoron in my mind. But, I was able to observe the teenagers “unplug” from their worlds, pause from their difficult situations, and seek oneness with God.

For me, I would prefer to replace the word “rest” with “sleep”, but I have subtle reminders that sleep was not God’s intention. Rather, God’s intention is for me to surrender, seek sanctification and He will lighten my burdens. Rest is divine diversion from the hectic human world we live in.

Each of us has our own cross to carry. My heaviest cross was losing my mom two years ago yesterday. But, through this journey, I have learned about the cost and yet the necessary craving for sanctification.

My response to the command “Come to Me” allows me to measure my commitment to God. Oswald Chambers says it best, “Sanctification … will be expressed in our lives as a peaceful resting in God, which means a total oneness with Him. And this oneness will make us not only blameless in His sight, but also bring profound joy to Him.”

With Spring Break next week, I will pray for your rest. Hopefully you will get some sleep too, but more importantly, that whatever cross you carry, my prayer is that you will find time to get away with God and that He will lighten your burdens. Your “resting” will bring our God great joy!

Have a great week!

Message from Sonya Berges, JH/SH Teacher

This school year my personal life has been a year of ups and downs; extreme situations and conflict. Situations in my extended family have challenged us in many ways. There are a couple of things that God is working with me on but the one key element has been prayer.

Prayer without ceasing has never been a virtue of mine. I’m impatient; I want to see action, solve a problem and move on. If you have a plan or idea, get started on executing it. God doesn’t always work that way – or maybe He just doesn’t show it to me as quickly as I’d like. Through the situations in our family, I’ve experienced first-hand the significant difference that consistent, regular prayer makes in a situation. When I don’t pray regularly, I find myself trying to take over and control people and circumstances. When I pray regularly, the situations may not change but I do. The circumstances may remain uncertain but my heart and life is securely held by Christ; nothing gets into my life that he hasn’t allowed.

Ephesians 3:14-21 has been a passage I’ve turned to, repeated and taken a stand on.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Message from Roger Bemis, Band Teacher

Recently, I saw the movie "Act of Valor" opening weekend (Feb 24). I encourage you to go see it. If for no other reason, than to support our military and to send Hollywood a message; that we don't like most of the crap they put out. It stars real Navy SEALS acting out a fictional story based on several true life events woven together to make the movie.


1 John 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:15-17 (in Context) 1 John 3 (Whole Chapter)

1 John 3:15-17
New International Version (NIV)
15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?

For me, there was lot's of "eye candy"; Blackhawks, .50cal machine guns, gatling guns, fast river boats, HALO jumps, submarines and more.

For a good review from a Christian perspective: http://www.movieguide.org/reviews/movie/act-of-valor.html

Message from Phil Adams, Superintendent

Acts 26:24-26
English Standard Version
And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.

As with Paul in the first century, so it is with us. Christians are often accused of being nuts. Paul knew and spoke the truth. He was not intimidated by power or insults. Just the opposite – he spoke truth to power. The truth of God’s Word is not limited to the facts contained in it but extends to the effects it should have on all of us. The fruit of the Spirit is as factual as the theology we see. Sometimes scripture is attacked for its mere existence, more often it is attacked for what it demands of us in our everyday lives interacting with our fellow man.
I also find Paul’s last statement interesting. We can’t live out our Christian faith as if no one is watching. People are watching. Students, parents, colleagues, and family. We do not live in corners even if we wanted to.

Message from Jim Wolfe, High School Teacher

In preparing for this devotional I happened to remember when I was a teen the times sitting out on the large porch of my aunts country home when we visited in the summer. Most of the time there would be several of us kids out playing and the adults solving all the problems of the world on that porch. Sometimes when I was alone, just sitting there by myself, I could hear and see the glory of God’s nature in the fields and woods around their house. As I think of today’s times, it seems that everyone is so "busy" these days. Long gone are the days when we sat on the porch during the setting sun, listening to the sounds of nature, and solving all the problems of the world.

Some people might thing we are better off now than we were then. I don't know. We seem to have lost the ability to appreciate nature, which is sometimes tough to do in the city.

The following is a poem I came across on the internet that sort of follows this theme. Appreciate what God has given us while we can! It is titled “The Music of Nature”

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.

The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done,
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.

The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die

'Cause you never had time
To call and say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music my friends
Before the song is over.

Message from Jan Wolfe, Art Teacher

Psalm 15 ESV
15 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your vent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.

As we enter another round of elections, I am always amazed at the politicians, who want to run for a high office, and then have their past ‘sins’ come to light. In the light, the would be politicians, try to explain their ‘sins’ away, try to cover them up, blame someone else, and get even deeper into the lies of their lives. Eventually these would be politicians end up fading away.
As I read Psalm 15, it occurred to me that if politicians wanted to live a life that would be transparent under scrutiny, just following this Psalm would make it easy. We need to pray for those running for offices at all levels. Pray that those who are eligible to live on God’s “Holy Hill” are the ones elected to live on the political ‘hill’.

Message from Carol Stines, International Director

I have been so blessed by many hymns and Christian choruses. In fact, I have even chosen some songs for my funeral already and, on my tombstone I want this section from a song …
Why should I gain from His Reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.

We often sing songs and do not really think about what we are saying or promising or confessing or believing. I urge us to really think about the meaning and internalize it. Sometimes at home I’ll sing a song many times. It often takes about the 3rd time through before I really start to comprehend all that I’m singing and see how to make it personal.

How about the song:
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows
The more that I love him, more love He bestows
Each day is like Heaven, my heart overflows
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

How about:
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sins upon that cross

Recently this has meant a lot:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know who holds the future
And, life is worth the living just because He lives.

I’ll end with this one:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His mercy and grace

Message from Dan Stauffer, JH/SH Math Teacher

"What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?" 1 Corinthian 4:7

I like verses like this that set me straight on who I am. How prone I can be to boasting in the "great" things I have accomplished! This attitude can make me frustrated or impatient with others, because the focus is on me, and naturally I'm not too sure about you and the way you do things. When I boast in myself, I say through my words and actions that I'm relying on my own strength rather than on who Jesus is and what he has done for me. I need to remind myself that the one whom I always should be exalting is God.

There is, indeed, a good kind of boasting. It is boasting in God. In fact, we can never exaggerate the greatness of God, because he is infinitely greater than all we could ever imagine or describe. When we boast in the Lord, we say through our words and actions that we're relying on Jesus and on what he has done for us rather than on our own strength. We take the focus off ourselves, and we see every good thing in our lives as a gift from him. We realize we have done nothing to earn or deserve the favor of God, but he has chosen to love us (in spite of who we are). Jesus loves us, this we know. What a wonderful God we serve!

Message from Jamie Ross, Kindergarten Teacher

The Kitchen Sink

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Thessalonians 5:18
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Four and a half years ago, my husband and I were enjoying an Easter sunrise service at the Grand Canyon. When we arrived home, later that afternoon, we walked into a house flood. Three and a half inches of standing water flooded the entire 800 square feet of our home. A pipe had broken. Our house was built in the early fifties. Our home owners insurance would pay for another flood, storage for 3 months and new flooring throughout our home. They wouldn’t pay for bringing our home up to code compliance with new wiring & plumbing. My husband touched one of the pipes in the exposed wall and it fell apart in his hands. So, as you can probably relate, we were on the pay as you go plan.

First we piped and wired up to code compliance. Then we purchased beautiful flooring from Habitat for Humanity & Construction Lots. Two years later, we had a lovely completed bathroom. Our kitchen had a lovely floor, a card table, oven and refrigerator. Our dishes were stored in crates on the floor. We washed our dishes in the bathroom sink and for really big jobs, we used the bathtub.

The kitchen had always been a place of comfort, counseling and fellowship. I asked God; many times to instantaneously provide us with kitchen cabinets and a sink. Nothing happened. My favorite holiday: Thanksgiving would roll around year after year & I would rinse the family turkey in the bathtub.

I was having a pity party & no one came. I realized that I have so much to be thankful for. There are people who walk many miles to get water that isn’t even sanitary.

Christmas 2011 rolled around & I have a beautiful kitchen. My dishes are off of the floor and stored inside beautiful cabinets. I have a lovely, old fashioned washtub sink. I can rinse the family turkey in it. It’s not only big enough for that, I can give my 5 month old grand son, Ryan a bath in it. I could even give my almost 4 year old grand daughter, Hailey a bath in it, although I know that she would not be okay with that.

I even have a dishwasher. I’ve never in my entire life had a dishwasher. I stand amazed in my beautiful kitchen, watching this dishwasher doing my work for me.

What a blessing!!!!!!!!!!! God is so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every thing in His time, for whatever reason. I’ve learned patience, trust & thankfulness!

Message from Michele Reyman, Cafeteria Manager

Growing believers

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it,but GOD made it grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6

God gives each of us gifts and talents. Some of us are seed planters, making an initial contact with a person, perhaps giving them their first contact with a Christian. Another person is the one who waters. This person has a longer contact with the unbeliever, gently watering the seed that was planted, waiting for the water to settle, then watering again. Each of us must do our job and we must work as a team for a seed to be planted. However, it is not any of our responsibility to make the seed grow- only God can do that. If we each do our jobs, He will do the rest.

( One minute Devotions For Women by Carolyn Larsen )

Message from Janet Preston, Bookkeeper

God’s Plan, Not Ours

Everybody was wrong about the Ark of the Covenant (an item in the tabernacle that represented the throne of God). After losing a battle to the Philistines, Israel sent messengers to Shiloh to ask that the ark be hauled to Ebenezer, the site of their army camp.

When the ark arrived, the Israelites celebrated so loudly the enemy heard them all the way over in Aphek. The ark’s arrival caused the Philistines to fear and the Israelites to have courage.

They were both wrong. The Israelites took the ark into battle and were again clobbered by the Philistines, who captured the ark. Another mistake. The Philistines got sick and their false gods were destroyed.
We can understand the Philistines’ error—they were idol-worshipers. But the Israelites should have known better. They failed to consult God about using the ark. While they knew that the ark was earlier carried in battle (Josh. 6), they didn’t consider that God’s plan, not the ark’s involvement, allowed Israel to defeat Jericho.

No matter our resources, we will fail unless we use them according to God’s plan. Let’s study the Word, pray for God’s direction, and trust His leading (Ps. 91:2) before we step out in any venture of faith.

From Our Daily Bread 2/2/12

Message from Jennifer Pellish, High School Teacher

Taken from TODAY IN THE WORD

Colossians 1:15-17 reads, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend penned the popular modern hymn, “In Christ Alone.” In its second verse, this hymn reflects on the wonder of the Incarnation: “In Christ alone / Who took on flesh / Fullness of God in helpless babe! / This gift of love and righteousness / Scorned by the ones He came to save. / Till on that cross as Jesus died / The wrath of God was satisfied / For ev’ry sin on Him was laid / Here in the death of Christ I live.”

Paul, too, exalted the full deity and humanity of Christ. Colossians 1:15–20 is often considered the climax of this epistle because of its doctrinal and poetic qualities. Paul might be quoting an existing hymn, but it’s also possible he composed the hymn or poem himself. In any case, he asserted that Christ “is the image of the invisible God” (v. 15). This means that although God is a spirit and cannot be seen, Christ became human and made it literally possible to see God. This is also a way of saying that Christ is fully God. Hebrews 1:3 similarly affirms, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”

Christ is also “the firstborn over all creation.” “Firstborn” is a positional metaphor—that is, it doesn’t mean the Son of God began His life at a certain point in time (He’s eternal!), but rather indicates His position as ruler over the created world. This interpretation is confirmed and expanded in the next verse, where we learn that “in him all things were created” (v. 16). Christ’s relation to creation is not only one of authority, but also one of authorship. He spoke it into being and continually sustains it (cf. John 1:14). His preeminence covers the entire created realm, including supernatural beings, a truth that will be applied specifically in chapter two against the false teachings spread in Colossae (2:18–19). In summary, Paul wrote: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (v. 17). Or as one commentator put it, “Things make sense only when Christ is kept at the center.”

Today’s passage takes us back to Genesis 1 with fresh eyes. Since Christ is the creator and ruler over all creation, then He is the One to whom we as stewards of creation must give account (Gen. 1:28–30). He made it all, and He will make it all new (Rev. 21:5). It can be invigorating and convicting to realize that He is the One holding everything together, that He stands at the beginning and end of history as its Alpha and Omega, and that in Him we actually see God.

Message from Kristin Ornoski, Development Office

Be Still

“Be still,” I hear Him softly say.
“Be still, lay all aside.”
He who made the universe stoops down,
and gathers up my cares.

“Be still,” He chides again.
His work begins within my weary soul.
“Be patient. In quiet stay.
Listen to me.”

Though pressed on every side,
I clear my heart and mind.
In timid voice and heart,
I lift to Him my praise.

How quiet, His presence.
How healing, His words.
In hushed awe, I listen.
I savor each one.

My will, He bends.
My heart, He sweeps clean.
My strength, He renews.
My soul, He fills to overflowing.

He teaches through His word.
I heed what He tells me.
I stand and give Him praise.
Together we go forth to serve.

Anita Corrine Donihue

Message from Judy Nunez, Administrative Assistant

When recently thinking about God’s provision for us as individuals and as a school the following devotion from Our Daily Bread brought a reminder of how we can always trust Him…

What we see of God’s provisions teaches us to trust Him for what we cannot see of His purposes.

Surprised By God
Ruth 2:17-23

If Naomi had dreamed about returning to her former home prosperous and successful, entering Bethlehem would have been a nightmare. While living in a foreign land, she had lost her husband and two sons and returned with only her daughter-in-law Ruth and a heart full of sorrow. “Do not call me Naomi {pleasant}; call me Mara {bitter},” she told her former neighbors, “for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20).
But this wasn’t the end of the story. When the discouraged Naomi saw God’s hand in Ruth’s life, she said, “The Lord…has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!”(2:20). What appeared to be a dead-end had become a doorway for these two women who had lost so much.

The Old Testament book of Ruth is a wonderful story. The brief narrative is infused with an amazing sweetness and grace as “the Lord” is mentioned time after time.
Through Naomi and Ruth, we are reminded that God works in surprising ways to make His love known and to accomplish His purposes –even during difficult times.
God’s surprises continue so we can take heart. He has not stopped showing His kindness to you and me. ---David McCasland

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best –
Lovingly, it’s part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest. ---Berg

Message from Karla Mungillo, Third Grade Teacher

The Eagle

The eagle has the longest life-span among birds. It can live up to 70 years but to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision.

In its 40's its long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as food, its long sharp beak becomes bent. Its old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its chest and make it difficult to fly. Then, the eagle is left with only two options: die or go through a painful process of change which lasts 150 days. The process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on its nest. There the eagle knocks its beak against a rock until it plucks it out. After plucking it out, the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and then it will pluck out its talons. When its new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its old aged feathers. And after five months, the eagle takes its famous flight of rebirth and lives for 30 more years!

Why is change needed? Many times, in order to survive we have to start a change process. we sometimes need to get rid of old memories, habits, and other past traditions. Only freed from past burdens, can we take advantage of the present. When it rains, most birds head for shelter; the eagle is the only bird that, in order to avoid the rain, starts flying above the clouds………No wonder God wants us to spread our wings and soar with eagles!

Isaiah 43:18 - Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wastelands.

Message from Margarita Llanes, Spanish Teacher

May the words of Tom McGrath encourage your hearts today as it did mine.

“Obey your thirst”
I was reading the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It dawned on me that as Jesus asked the woman for something to drink, the story was all about the woman’s thirst. Through the travails of five husbands she had obviously been thirsting for something more than she had found. Jesus told her of a better way to quench her thirst, a way that was eternally satisfying.
I take great comfort in seeing that Jesus is more interested in my thirst that in my sins. Life can encourage me to ignore my thirst- to keep on pushing harder at the many duties involved in being a parent, spouse, worker, neighbor, parishioner, and so forth. Ignoring my thirst is what often leads me to errant ways. I get resentful and angry, confused and empty. Meanwhile, Jesus sits at the well inviting me to pay attention to both my physical needs and my deeper longing for God. He is always ready to give me a long, cool drink of living water.

When the poor and needy seek water, and
There is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel
Will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:17

Message from Lois Leader, High School Teacher

We often encounter statistics about the percentage of children raised in Christian homes who fall away from the faith in adulthood. Preparing for this Blog, I did an Internet search on the topic and found a consensus that the number is around 85%. That is disturbing, to say the least! On closer examination, however, I found that these statistics were based on reports of individuals in their late teens to early 20s. I was unable to find any data on the percentage of children raised in Christian homes who return to the faith in later adulthood. I have a hunch that percentage will be reassuringly high.

The adolescent years are a time of significant brain development, especially in the frontal lobe areas responsible for self-control, judgment, emotions, and organization. These areas can remain in turmoil through the early 20s. I am not trying to make a case that teenagers should be excused for their poor decision-making, but to say that we who deal with them on a daily basis should persevere in planting the seeds of spiritual growth.

If we read the well-known verse “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6, NIV) carefully, we note the phrase when he is old. We can view our teenagers through the prism of Philippians 1:6 “being confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Message from Monique Lara, Preschool Teacher

Last week I was getting my bible time ready for the week when I came across the story about “a tiny mustard seed”, so I knew my kids would enjoy hearing and learning about it.

Jesus said to his people “Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13 31-32)
It also goes on to explain that Gods kingdom can start small, and his love may only be in one person’s heart, but when his love is shared Gods kingdom grows and grows. Then more people wanted to follow God.

How amazing that the story represents us today, as educators, teachers, and most of all Gods people. We can start off teaching the word of the Lord about how righteous his love can be in their lives, and out of nowhere they do not want to disappoint him or make him sad, they want to keep him smiling. From a tiny child understanding what the story represents it blows me away. So with that keep teaching about his love and sooner then you know it there’s many more for God to love. I love my job!

Message from Jim Koan, Superintendent

Matthew 21:21-22
New International Version (NIV)
21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
(From E.M. Bounds “On Prayer”)

In this passage we have faith and prayer, their possibilities, and powers joined. A fig tree had been blasted to the roots by the word of the Lord Jesus. The power and quickness of the result surprised the disciples. Jesus says to them that it need be no surprise to them for such a difficult work to be done. “If ye have faith” its possibilities to affect will not be confined to the little fig tree, but the gigantic, rock-ribbed, rock-founded mountains can be uprooted and moved into the sea. Prayer is leverage of this great power of faith.

Friends, I think God is calling us to ‘curse fig trees’ and ‘move mountains’. We each have our own fig trees in our lives, and both individually and corporately we have some mountains that need to be moved. I urge you this day to get on to the business God called you to, that is, to “say unto this mountain ‘Be thou removed’” because God intends to and is able to answer that prayer and move mountains.

Christ’s progression was to provide for the disciples a small example of His divine ability first (the tree) and lead them to the mountain moving faith He intended them to embrace.

He has those same intents for us, so let’s get on to the work of moving mountains right here at PC.

Message from Darren Johnson, Development Director

"Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor." Proverbs 18:12

You can never be too small for God to use, but you can be too big. The way up is down. As the Scriptures say, "God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble." James 4:6

Peter had learned quite a lesson on humility. His words are wise: "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you." 1 Peter 5:6

God will use humble-hearted men and women. "Fear of the LORD teaches a person to be wise; humility precedes honor." Proverbs 15:33

Message from Gretchen Janes, Development Office

I thought I was creative, until I met my husband. Creativity comes so easily for him. When I scrapbook…let me clarify…when I used to scrapbook…it would take me a good amount of time to get something on the page. I just don't "see" readily what possibilities could lie on a blank piece of paper. It takes me awhile to get those creative juices flowing.

In my state of the aging process, I am finally learning to put a different spin on circumstances that arise in my path. What a difference that can make!

The devotional below is not my own words and is a bit lengthy but is worthy of reading if you find yourself stuck in a rut.

When God Hurts Your Feelings

Asking why is perfectly normal. Asking why isn’t
unspiritual. However, if asking this question pushes
us farther from God rather than drawing us closer
to Him, it is the wrong question. Too often, we tend
to question God:

• Why did this happen?
• Why didn’t You stop this, God?
• Why weren’t my prayers answered?
• Why am I alone?
• Why did this happen today of all days?!

In most situations, nothing positive can come
from whatever answer there might be to a why
question. Even if God gave us His reason why,
we would judge Him. And His reasons, from our
limited perspective, would always fall short.
That’s because our flat human perceptions
simply can’t process God’s multidimensional,
eternal reason.

Isaiah 55:8-9: “‘For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’”
declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your
ways and my thought than your thoughts.’”

If asking the why question doesn’t offer hope, what will?
The what question. In other words: Now that this is my
reality, what am I supposed to do with it? So, when God
hurts your feelings, don’t ask why … ask what? For example,
ask God the following questions:

• What do You want me to do with what has happened?
• What can I learn from this?
• What part of this is for my protection?
• What other opportunities could God be providing?
• What maturity could God be building into me?

For more information, read Chapters 12 – 13 in
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa
TerKeurst. Visit: www.LysaTerKeurst.com.

Message from Dave Huss, High School Teacher

ARE YOU ADOPTED?

Jesus said, ‘Except you…..become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.’ Matt. 18:3 . Paul adds ‘…ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry ‘Abba’ Father.’ Rom. 8:15.

When our oldest of then 5 adopted children, Danny, was 6 yrs old, we lived in rural North Dakota with three other houses in our mile square section. Our neighbor to the east had one 4 yr old boy who happened to be adopted also. An eighth of a mile to the west on the gravel road was a family with 3 small children, one of whom was also adopted.

One Sunday afternoon, we had invited one of Danny’s Sunday school classmates to spend the day with us. As they were playing downstairs in the basement ( it was winter), I overheard the following conversation:

Classmate to Danny: ‘Do you know that you’re adopted?’

Danny: ‘Yes, I know. Are you adopted?’

Classmate: ‘No.’

Danny: ‘Why not?’

As I reflect on this little conversation, it seems to me to be a microcosm of the great commission the LORD gave us prior to ascending to heaven. The good news is adoption into the family of God is available. Should we not in child-like obedience to Him be continually asking ‘Are you adopted?’ and ‘Why not?’ There’s plenty of room in the family- the old chorus goes. May the Spirit give us the grace help someone, perhaps even in our own classroom, to enter the ‘Family of God’.

Message from Gena Horn, Operations/Technology

To Soar As Eagles

THey say that eagles in flight take no concern for obstacles below. How wonderful it would be to gorget all eartly contraints and challenges and soar high above--carried effortlessly by air currents and refrehing breezes.

There are mornings when you will wake up tired. You will feel how truly eartbound yoiu are and come to the concludsion that your fravity-defying goals are too lofty to hope for.

Take heart troday that GOd never grows tired or weary. He promises to renvew your strength when you wait upon him. And like the powerful, majestic eagle, he will lift you high above the ostacles of earty--and you will soar.

"They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Excerpt from Moments of Peace for the Morning

Message from Jay Hendricks, High School Teacher

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. (Isaiah 40:1)

My grandmother’s favorite devotional was Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowman. She read it cover to cover many times, and I’m sure she knew parts of it from memory. The entry for January 11 begins with this verse from Isaiah and goes on to say,

“Store up comfort. This was the prophet's mission. The world is full of comfortless hearts, and ere thou art sufficient for this lofty ministry, thou must be trained. And thy training is costly in the extreme; for, to render it perfect, thou too must pass through the same afflictions as are wringing countless hearts of tears and blood. Thus thy own life becomes the hospital ward where thou art taught the Divine art of comfort.”

We experience difficulties so that we may better understand the difficulties others face. God comforts us so that we in turn may comfort others. Our problems are not pointless, which is important for me to remember as I sit here with my pinched nerve wondering, “why me?”

The devotional ends with this quote and a poem…

“God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.”

They tell me I must bruise
The rose's leaf,
Ere I can keep and use
Its fragrance brief.

They tell me I must break
The skylark's heart,
Ere her cage song will make
The silence start.

They tell me love must bleed,
And friendship weep,
Ere in my deepest need
I touch that deep.

Must it be always so
With precious things?
Must they be bruised and go
With beaten wings?

Ah, yes! by crushing days,
By caging nights, by scar
Of thorn and stony ways,
These blessings are!

Message from Mary Hendricks, Fourth Grade Teacher

We are beginning a new year and each one of us has given some thoughts and prayers to specific areas of our hearts and lives we want to surrender completely to Jesus in 2012.

We are a community of believers who strive to serve our Lord daily, through our ministry here at PCUS. We sometimes may take for granted that we are giving completely, or giving the best we have to give. Perhaps, Joyce Meyers might offer some new insight on “giving freely to others.”

“Give Something Away” by Joyce Meyer from Start Your Day Right Devotions

Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before Him and shall make His footsteps a way in which to walk.
PSALM 85:12-13

“God is the ultimate Giver. He expects nothing less than for us to follow His example. I challenge you to give away something every day of your life. You may think you won't have anything left if you do that, but if you give as the Lord leads you to do, soon you will receive so much that you will have to figure out where to put it all.

God gives you bread to eat and seed to sow (2 Corinthians 9: 10). Some things that God sends your way are given as seed for you to sow into the lives of others. Ask God to show you what He wants you to give away.”

I can’t begin to imagine the blessings we would receive as a community if each of us gave something to others daily, freely and lovingly.

Sarah Hornsby from Love Is, “Love is Bestowing”

How great is the love the Father has lavished (bestowed KJV) on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1
Love is lavish in giving, bestowing on often unworthy objects the best it has. Love counts the cost but is generous and joyous in giving. Love does not create dependency but enables the beloved to trust increasingly in God’s provision.

Lord of love, You have given me so much. Show me how to share.

Message from Brandon Harris, Development & Head Football Coach

Ever felt like you were facing a situation and the stakes were extremely high? Felt like there was no way out of the situation; maybe it was a friendship, financial, something involving a family member or friend? Back taxes? Legal issues? A home you need to sell or buy? God can get you out of any situation no matter how bleak and turn your challenges (enemy) into victory for his glory!

Acts 12: 1-11


1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

Message from Alicia Galindo, Human Resource Manager

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
– Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

Sometimes we can get bogged down when we look at our surroundings and the situations we are in. Know that our Lord wants to fill us with joy (The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength) and though nothing may be easy on this earth, our hope is in eternal salvation. Now that is joy unspeakable….Have a blessed day!

(Taken from "The Word of the Day" by Tom Nannarone)

Message from Joe Frost, Director of Technology

Matthew 14:20-33

They all ate...and they took up twelve baskets full of...leftovers. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Immediately, He (Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side while He dismissed the crowds.

After He had dismissed them, He went alone to pray...and the boat was a long way from land being beaten by the waves.

In the fourth watch of the night, nearly morning, He came to them walking on the sea...and they were terrified. But Jesus immediately said to them do not be afraid, it is I.

Peter replied, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." And Jesus simply said, "Come."

Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind he was afraid and as he began to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."

And Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him saying "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

*************************************

Jesus just fed well over five thousand people with a small basket of fish & a side order of bread.

And if His crew didn't get it passing out the food, they had to when the 12 of them picked up 12 baskets of leftovers - yup, there's something different about Jesus...

So, after dinner Jesus sends the 12 ahead of Him to the other side of the sea so He can say good night to the crowd and go off for a few minutes of alone time, to pray.

Nobody asks how Jesus will get there, no doubt they expect a boat, so when they see Him, barely, in the dark, walking on the wind tossed, white capped sea they think He's a ghost and just like at any good horror movie they all begin to scream.

Sure, they just witnessed Jesus perform the miracle with fish & chips, but this is hours later, it's still pretty dark outside, it feels like a storm is coming, they can barely keep their eyes open and suddenly this guy comes along side the boat walking on water, yeah it's okay to scream.

After they settle down a bit, Peter thinks it's pretty cool to walk on water and Jesus grants his request by letting him walk on water too, but remember it's still cold, dark, wet, and windy.

Peter steps out of the boat and doesn't sink, but that doesn't mean he's not getting drenched by the wind and waves and probably the second time he gets slapped in the face & eyes by the stinging spray he starts thinking maybe he should get back in the boat - and then he realizes the water has begun climbing over his feet and up his legs...he's sinking, and he starts to scream again.

But, remember, he's a fisherman. He can swim, but instead he screams to Jesus, "Lord, save me." And though there's much to be said in Peter's choice to ask Jesus for help rather than stripping and swimming, it's Jesus' response that stands out, "Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him" and lifted Peter out of the water and they got into the boat.

Jesus reached out and GRABBED Peter and kept him on top of the water until they got into the boat.

Jesus didn't have to grab Peter, but He did.

Jesus didn't have to spend hours saying good night to the crowd after dinner either... but He did. He cares. He's relational.

And, like Peter (and the other 11), even though Jesus may perform miracles in front of us or for us we too may still doubt, slip, sink, get frustrated... And then we hear that song, read that verse, feel that peace, and realize He cares enough to reach out and take hold of us, lift us up, and set us back in the boat, with HIM.

He cares. Trust Him.

Message from Laura Furedy, Preschool Director

Gold, Fur and Common Sense

My husband and I had been happily married (most of the time) for five years but hadn't been blessed with a baby. I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if he would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as my guide.

God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son.
The next year God blessed us with another son.
The following year, He blessed us with yet another son.
The year after that we were blessed with a daughter.

My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had four children, and the oldest was only four years old. I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella."
I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs.

I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.
I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks.

I tried to be understanding...
when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.
When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess.

In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children. While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother - I didn't even come close...

I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God.
I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too. Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and m y son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife."

My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant. My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man.

This was their moment to shine.
My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes." But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes." My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes."
A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing.

I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying, "Mama-mama." Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back upand held it tightly as the wise men arrived. My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur."
The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation.

"I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," laughed the pastor, wiping tears from his eyes. "For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common sense and fur."
"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.
Unknown

Message from Irma Flores, Elementary Teacher

Acts 8:8 And there was great JOY in that city.

Bah! Humbug! I caught myself being a “Scrooge” as I thought of all I had to do for Christmas and how time goes quickly and so on. As I prayed and studied my Scripture for that day, the Lord redirected my thoughts and helped me change my attitude.

In Acts where the early church is growing, I noticed many “greats”.
“great power” (the apostles had)
Great grace (on all that heard)
Great wonders (Stephen did)
Great lamentation (over Stephen’s death)
Great persecution
And Great JOY!

Because of the persecution, the people were scattered abroad and went everywhere preaching the Gospel. Philip went to Samaria and preached Christ to them and they believed. There was great JOY in that city.

Praise God that we have great JOY here as we present the Gospel in our classes and especially now at Christmas. Phoenix Christian is bringing great JOY to our city of Phoenix. Merry Christmas.

Message from Angie Dickerson, Admin. Assistant to Principal

It was an unwelcomed interruption to the day of many tasks. A student who was mourning the loss of a loved one showed up at my office door. “Lord,” I thought, “I don’t have time to deal with this right now. I have A, B, C and D to finish. I don’t know what to say, what to do.” But here the student was at my door, crying and very distraught.

I asked the Lord to give me the wisdom to comfort this hurting child. I prayed aloud for comfort for this child and offered a few words of wisdom. Mostly I just stood there and handed out Kleenex as needed. A few hugs and back pats later, and the student was ready to go back to class.

As the day progressed and I finished my tasks, it struck me that in God’s economy my “interruption” was probably the most important part of the day for Him. I was here, I was available, and He gave me the words to say. But even more than that – He gave me the opportunity to minister to this child. Me! – the cranky lady trying to get her “things” done! Me! – the one who didn’t want to be bothered!

I felt humbled. I knew it was a prompting to start seeing things from a more eternal perspective. The little moments – maybe even the things we disregard in our rush through each day – are the blessings God gives us.

We don’t have to go very far to do the Lord’s work. He has us all right here at PC and offers us opportunities each day to minister to the students, the parents and our co-workers. What a total blessing for all of us.

Thank you, Lord, for using us to comfort, guide, support, encourage and walk alongside those you put in our path each day! Amen

Message from Keith deLaet, High School Teacher

Keep it simple. That’s my vow this Christmas. Of course it has started out a little bit rough with a trip to the Emergency Room and a Kidney Stone procedure with a complication. Upon further reflection, now feeling better, I believe that the experience has just added to the resolve that birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is meant to be observed in simplicity. The fact that He entered the world in the manner in which He did, simply, and the fact that Mary and Joseph were people of simple means really drives this home, at least for me. So this year, I’m dusting off my simple list which is provided below, in hopes that in a quiet moment, or a simple gesture, or an inexpensive way, we all can have a magnificent moment in the presence of Jesus!

Merry Christmas!
Keith de Laet

12 HOLIDAY FAMILY & DEVOTIONAL IDEAS (using the 12 Days of Christmas)
1. Open an advent calendar
2. Spread out your holiday gift giving
3. View holiday specials together and have a group discussion.
4. Donate to the Thrift Shop.
5. Pick an Angel Tree gift
6. Bake and wrap gifts for others, talk about why these people are important.
7. Make an event out of decorating for the holidays
8. Visit free light displays, the electrical parade, etc.
9. Emphasize family meals
10. Attend at least one Christmas church service
11. Have a family wrapping party
12. Establish a holiday tradition – May I suggest watching or reading Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol?

Message from Margaret Crotts, First Grade Teacher

“ I will thank you Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled WITH JOY because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9 : 1-2

Teaching should be a joyful experience, but every teacher knows that some days are so busy and so hurried that JOY seems a distant promise. It is not. Every day, we can claim the spiritual abundance and JOY that God promises for our lives….and we should.

C.H. Spurgeon said: “Rejoicing is clearly a spiritual command. To ignore it is disobedience”. We are called by our Creator to live abundantly, prayerfully, and joyfully. To do otherwise is to squander His gifts.

Today let JOY be evident in every aspect of your life, including life inside the classroom. Today, JOYFULLY let your words and deeds be a testimony to Christ’s love and to His grace.

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME!!

Message from Bruce Consier, Athletic Director

Hindsight

"Life has to be lived forwards but it can only be understood backwards."
- Søren Kierkegaard

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

"Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" Job 12:12 (NIV)

Hindsight
If we could walk backwards through life, so many times of doubt and questioning would be erased from our path. But sadly, we would have missed those desperate moments of trusting in the Lord, and clinging to him for guidance.

Message from Jim Callahan, High School Teacher

Then Pilate said to him,” So you are a king?” Jesus answered him, “You say that I am king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38 ESV

There are times when it is easy to think that truth relativism is a 20th century invention. This is not the case. Pilates’ question “What is truth?” shows this. Normally, when people ask the question that Pilate asked, they do so because they believe that truth is ultimately person relative --- your truth is your truth and my truth is my truth, or that no person is able to know for sure what the really truth is. If this view of truth is the is the truth (please notice the consistency problem here), then anyone who claims to witness to the truth is either simply expressing their own opinion which has no more or less value than anyone else’s, or is completely mistaken in thinking that they know something that cannot possibly be known. I have had students at PC that are truth relativists and an alarming number at that. I suspect that some of you also have had students of this kind. Our ministry to these students must focus on the reality that Jesus is the truth. We must all provide a sound apologetic for the claims of Jesus Christ that he is the truth, that he has come to witness to the truth and that everyone “who is of the truth” listens to Him.

Message from Yvonne Calderon, Junior High Teacher

I heard this song a few years ago. This song became my favorite song to play at Christmas. I think the band Go FIsh says it best.

Turn up your speakers and enjoy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkIj94yepfU&feature=related

Message from Karen Boyce, Business Manager

If not already, schedules are about to be very hectic with holiday festivities. As I pull out the ornaments and tinsel, I also pull out one of my favorite Bible verses, “Be still and know that I am God.”~ Psalms 46:10. You can emphasize each word of this verse and it has a different impact on your heart.

BE still and know that I am God.

Be STILL and know that I am God.

Be still and KNOW that I am God

Be still and know that “I” am God.

Be still and know that I am GOD!

Psalms 46:10 has been my partner through a lot of circumstances. There are times that I need to do nothing more than to just exist as His child. Oftentimes, I need to interrupt my daily agenda and simply exist in His presence. When my own means exhaust me, I need His divine wisdom. For Him to remind us that HE is God, I need to remember that HE is the Almighty. And, always, I just need to stop long enough to remember His awesome power. To just say the name “God” brings His authority and humility to me.

Some people assign stillness with a negative connotation - as weak or disheartened. However, being still does not restrict my mobility. Rather, being still is a command that requires me to take courage in divine dependence rather than my own self. I can be still because of what I know about God. His command for me to be still forces realization that I am finite and then humble myself to His infiniteness. He provides me a controlled composure in my chaos.

So during this season, I pray for spiritual serenity - the kind that God gives despite our circumstances. Spiritual calm does not come from peace, but a steady deep reflection of how God intervenes in the midst of circumstances. In Romans 15:4, I find hope. “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.”

As a little girl, I remember going to church and my mother telling me “Sit Still!” My teachers told me the same thing in the classroom. I did not like those words. I did not have time for stillness. Now, sometimes I think God tells me to “Sit Still!” That command I have learned to obey. I pray for opportunities to be still and learn more about the infinite God that I love and who loves me
unconditionally.

May each of you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas season and find some time to be still.

Message from Lisa Blake, Counselor

Our little miracle growing inside me is certainly continuing to surprise us! I definitely do not use the word "miracle" flippantly. Most of you know, but perhaps many may not know that Jeff and I have struggled to conceive. I know, it's surprising! We're on our 5th pregnancy but REALLY! It took over a year with Brooklynne, we tried at least 9 months for the next baby that we lost, we tried over a year and 1/2 for T.J. and 2+ years for Annie. So you must understand our utter SHOCK when we discovered that I was pregnant this summer (a little over 2 months since Annie's birth). Once the shock wore off (it took a little while), I remembered that Jeff and I had just talked about still wanting one more and hoping/praying for God's will in our family. So with our little miracle baby growing inside me, we began our new journey feeling both overwhelmed and utterly amazed at HIS plan for our family.

With each and every day that passes, I question if I have enough love to give a husband and four little ones. Especially after a day of changing half of dozen diapers, running upstairs 20+ times 7months pregnant with a 16 lb baby on my hips and a four year old that just cannot seem to figure out the whole "getting dressed" thing. Hoping to have the house picked-up, dinner hot and ready, and a joyous spirit when Jeff and Brooklynne arrive, I scurry around finding myself growing more and more reluctant about this miracle baby growing inside me. Do I have enough love to give?

So I search my heart and I search Christ's heart. I think He's revealed something to me that most of you have probably already discovered. I do NOT have enough love to give! There is absolutely no way I can pour myself out over and over and over - there's just not enough to go around. BUT His love is abundant, overflowing, MORE than enough.

I know, the 23rd Psalms is so over done but I've really spent some time recently meditating on this chapter. So here's the Message version which I love for it's visual depiction.

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.

5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.

"My cup brims with blessing" or my cup overflows...I LOVE THIS! As I rest in HIS presence and experience HIS abundant love, my cup cannot help but overflow into the lives of Jeff, Brooklynne, T.J., Annie, and our little miracle baby.

As our journey continues to take some twists and turns, Jeff and I thank you for covering us with prayers. Our words cannot express our deep gratitude and love for this community.

Message from Jeff Blake, High School Teacher

Psalm 100 (the Message, a paraphrase of scripture)
A Thanksgiving Psalm

1-2 On your feet now—applaud GOD! Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.

3 Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD.
He made us; we didn't make him.
We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.

Lisa and I enjoyed a time of celebration of God’s provision over Thanksgiving! And in that I have taken some time alone with God to recognize that giving thanks is a discipline—and one I am not good at (in the meditation of my own heart).

Over the years, our extended family has been exceedingly gracious to my immediate family with money, gifts of service, and devotion. Yet, in my own heart I experience shame (which is not from God). Privately I struggle with the need to do it all on my own. Privately I struggle with the perception that other’s assistance to me is a sign of my weakness.

And in this place, I objectively know that all good things flow from God and my dependence upon my Creator is total. God is the Provider. In my experience family is a tool the Provider uses. And so here I am in this place of paradox and learning. God simply will provide how He sees fit—the conduit is not up to me. The Provider is in charge.

And in this reflection, another tool by which our Provider uses is our school community.

Did you know . . .?

Our elementary students have provided a TON of plastic bags and egg cartons to a food ministry in Mexico and border communities.

Our elementary students provided nearly 30 shoe box gifts to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.

Our junior and senior high students will again spread out in our community to provide just short of 1,000 hours of community service on Friday, December 2.

Some of our junior and senior high students are raising money to support Invisible Children’s endeavor to end the abuse of children soldiers in the civil wars which grip Uganda. Some of our senior high students have contacted members of Congress to pledge their concern for this injustice.

On Thursday, December 8—62 needy students from MC Cash Elementary school will be bused to our campus for an evening of crafts, dinner, Santa, hayrides, and God’s love from our JH and SH students.

Our junior and senior high students have collected nearly 300 pairs of shoes in support of Mr. Harmon’s ministry to children living in poverty.

My point is that my Thanksgiving was not laden with laughter—but interpersonal embarrassment as I am coming to grip with my own needs. Psalm 100 is a powerful reminder of celebration! We are the body of Christ. Guided by the Spirit we have an opportunity to serve and give our lives away to each other and most of all—God!

Father, this day I choose to make my self more at home in your chosen means of Provision! Thank you! That is my “password” this day. Thank you that you provide in your own way! May each gift of provision be an opportunity for myself and others to be ever more at home with You.

Message from Sonya Berges, JH/SH Teacher

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”
Ephesians 3:20

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8: 38 & 39

I have a brother who has been diagnosed as SMI – severely mentally ill. The past two months have been a roller coaster in my world watching him deteriorate one more time and unraveling the consequences of adult abuse toward our mom. While the situation has at times felt overwhelming and surreal, I have never before felt God’s presence and peace as profoundly as I have over these weeks.

So many situations have presented themselves where I didn’t know how or what to pray for yet God opened doors, closed them and worked ahead, behind and around us. His protection and provision have been nothing short of a miracle. My past doubts about whether God was real, if he loved me or listened to me have been silenced. As I’ve read, journaled and prayed through this time, I see God’s fingerprints all over this. It has been a difficult but beautiful testimony to a very real God who loves us so much.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, I pray that you too will see God show up in amazing ways in your personal circumstances. Hopefully they aren’t as dramatic as mine. God Bless!

Message from Roger Bemis, Band Teacher

"Come on everyone! Let's gather round the turkey and sing Jingle Bells. Does everyone have their sleigh bells ready?"

Jingle Bells, originally titled "One Horse Open Sleigh"
Author James Lord Pierpont (1822-1893) wrote the song in 1857. This song was meant for a Thanksgiving program at a church in Savannah, Georgia where Pierpont was organist. The song was so well accepted that it was again sung on Christmas day and since then became one of the most popular Christmas carols.

What do you have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving?
I share the following to simply provide a different perspective on this Thanksgiving.

We, as Americans have a lot to be thankful for. When I was deployed to Iraq as a video broadcaster, the units I was doing stories on visited schools to give out basic school supplies, like coloring books, crayons, pencils, noteboooks, backpacks, perhaps a little food, sometimes desks, maybe some clothes and of course, soccer balls. I saw and shot footage of school children sitting in a room, two or three to a small benchlike seat, eagerly waiting to learn from a teacher who only had a chalkboard to teach from.

The rooms didn't have heat. For "air-conditioning", they might of had a ceiling fan, but I'm not sure the ones I saw worked. They probably opened a window, but sometimes that wasn't necessary; the windows were already broken. The walls were bare and the paint was chipped. Their dilapidated state had nothing to do with the war. These schools were the norm; especially in rural areas.

When voices in America cry out asking for 'more money for education', they should think about what they already have, for they are already richly blessed. There is nothing wrong with wanting the best for our kids. Broken windows and leaky roofs need to be fixed, but there needs to be balance between need and want. "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

I know that those of us here at PCUS are very thankful for what we have. Of course, we all struggle with balancing need and want. That's normal, but God will provide exactly what we need. "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

If nothing else, we should be thankful that we have the freedom to ask, and the freedom to pray for what we believe is the best for our children.

So I guess, at the end of the day, you have the freedom to decide whether or not to be thankful that you're not singing Jingle Bells as the Thanksgiving meal is set on the table. ;-)...And if you do break into song as you set the table on Thursday, I'll never tell anyone it was Jingle Bells.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:2

Interesting Fact: On December 16, 1965, astronauts aboard Gemini 6, Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford, played a prank on Mission Control. They said they saw some kind of UFO stating that the pilot was "wearing a red suit." They then played "Jingle Bells" on a harmonica backed by sleigh bells. They are considered the first musical instruments to be played in space!

Message from Roxanne Anderson, Bookkeeper

I'd like to encourage all of you with this quote from Dan Julian. He's one of our substitute teachers and he spoke in chapel this last week. Dan and his wife, Anna, pastor a small in church in Mayer, AZ. The Lord has also called them to be missionaries in Spain (www.juliansabroad.com). Dan was writing on Facebook about his experience speaking in chapel when he gave our students this great compliment.

"The kids at PCHS are remarkable and encouraging--the church has a lot to look forward to." - Dan Julian

These words are very encouraging to me. As one who doesn't have a lot of interaction with our students, it's so easy to get bogged down in the task of the job without seeing much evidence of how our service is paying off in the lives of our students. This gives me hope. It is indeed evidence of what I hope for each day.

Message from Phil Adams, Principal

This is a blog post from my daughter, Karen, last week. Sometimes our children amaze us. By way of background, she miscarried three times in the last year, with the second one, Lily, dying at 20 weeks. -- Phil

Rough Week

Okay, this is not an easy week. It is a pretty rough week actually. I knew it wouldn't be an easy week, so I had expectations of being emotional and having rough days. I was completely right, and to be honest I just can't wait for it to be over.

When I found out I was pregnant with Lily, one of my first thoughts was "When am I due?". I whipped out my phone to find out. They have websites for this, you just Google "Due Date Calculator," type in the requested information, and boom! Your due date. When the page popped up that said, "Congratulations! Your baby is due on November 10th!" My jaw dropped. What?! How cool! My baby was due on my birthday? What are the odds? How fun!

But I also was hit with the reality that this pregnancy wasn't guaranteed to end happily. If something were to go wrong, my birthday would definitely be tainted, not only this next one, but all the ones after that. "Let's just hope that doesn't happen," I thought.

And for the first half of my pregnancy, nothing did happen. I was finally in a place of believing that my birthday might not be the most fun I've ever had (either giving birth or recovering from it), but it was sure to be extra special.

Alas, things did not work out how I had hoped. The fear that my birthday would forever be tainted with crushed hopes has been realized, and this week leading up to my birthday has been difficult. Every day I think of how this is just not how I wanted to spend these days. I wanted to be great with child, wondering if she'd be born on my actual birthday or the arguably cooler date of 11-11-11. I am in a constant state of bad mood, forcing myself to smile but inwardly feeling very gypped. When people ask me what I want for my birthday, I swallow the urge to say, "A baby". When people ask me what I want to do for my birthday, I think, "Honestly? I want to crawl into bed and cry all day." But I don't, and I think it is wise that my sister and friends have filled that day to the brim with activity so that I won't have a single moment to be alone with my thoughts.

I have known other grieving mamas who have talked about having certain dates that are particularly difficult to get through. Always the anniversary of the death. Always the birth day. Always the due date (if lost in pregnancy). Sometimes, just another Monday, when the gaping hole your child left for some reason seems particularly noticeable.

I miss Lily every day. I think of her birth day often. I think of that Horrible Day when we found out she had died. I think so often of what could have been, and what life would be like had she lived. But this week, this coming hard day, these days are worse than normal because it is a stark reminder of what isn't happening. I'm not packing my bag. I'm not having my last day at work. I'm not preparing the nursery. I'm not second guessing our name choice. I'm not washing Jake and Eisley's Big Brother and Big Sister T-Shirts. I'm not excited and nervous and happy and scared and thrilled. It's just another week in November. And it isn't any fun.

This is so not where I thought I would be this week. Though Josh and I are happy and excited about our decision to adopt, we are still grieving. We will be for years to come, forever probably. But this week, this week we are grieving hard. I am grieving hard. I am feeling sad and bitter and angry and sad again. My husband is enduring living with an extra-sensitive wife, my kids are putting up with mommy's irritability. Even my blog entry "Adoption Education..." had a bit of a touchy edge to it this week (of which I hope I didn't offend...I made a few adjustments because Josh pointed out my tone was a little more confrontational than I probably wanted to be). I have been short with family, stuck my foot in my mouth more than once with friends, and have not been the most fun person to be around. I'm in a general bad mood and am thankful for friends and family that are understanding and loving and patient.

I am especially thankful that I have a God who is putting up with my bad mood. I have spent many a car ride venting to Him this week. I have questioned and cried and inwardly given Him the cold shoulder. Why Lord, would you have my due date be my birthday? What's that about? It's not enough to take my daughter but you also have to ruin my birthday too? And while we're on the subject, did she have to be born on Father's Day? I mean seriously, why don't you just strike our house with lightning on Christmas and frost this cupcake?

I vent, I cry, I vent, I clench my teeth and say nothing. I apologize. I get mad again. But I know He can handle it. He knew this would be a hard week. He has not forgotten. And He comforts. I am fully confident that without my personal relationship with Jesus, I would be so far off the deep end that no amount of prescription drugs could retrieve me. Where do people go with this kind of grief when they don't have God to turn to? What do you do with that much anger and confusion and sadness? Because let me tell you, being a Christian does not give you an immunity idol to use in life. You still experience all kinds of difficult and awful and horrible things. Having a relationship with Jesus does not make your life perfect. It only gives you hope when it isn't. And it isn't.

I have a treasure chest that my mom gave me after a very, very difficult time in my life (arguably even more so than losing Lily). It is filled to the brim with scraps of paper with verses written on them. They were written by many people that love me, and they all have themes of hope, comfort, and triumph in tragedy. I had that chest opened every day after she gave it to me. Many days after my first miscarriage. Most days after Lily died. Every day this week.

My favorite verse, if forced to pick, is Psalm 34:18. "The Lord is close to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Awesome promises. Promises I have seen Him keep. I think it is important to point out here that the verse does not say, "The Lord prevents all broken hearts and never allows His children to have crushed spirits." He acknowledges that bad things happen. He knows we will have struggles and trials and broken hearts and crushed spirits. He does not pretend your life will be void of pain and difficulty. He flat out says "In this life you will have trials"! That's a given! But He does not leave us hanging. He does not let us go through this alone. He promises to be close to us during those times.

Before I lost Lily, one of my greatest fears (and I had actually thought about this, because I am a woman and that's what we do) was having to give birth to a baby I knew was dead. I had heard of it happening, knew women who had done it, and I thought to myself, "Impossible. I could not physically do that. I would have to be knocked out, put under, medicated into oblivion. There is just no way I could do it." When one of your greatest fears is realized, it is a surreal thing. Suddenly it wasn't just a sad story I had heard. I was living it. I was being forced to deal with it. And God met me where I was at. He gave me the strength I could never have imagined existed. I was broken hearted. I was crushed. And He was close. And He saved me. Just like He promised.

I am not having a good week. I am hurting, I am sad, I am angry, I am confused, and God is so close to me that I can feel Him. That's the trade off. I truly believe that people who experience pain on the deepest of levels also have experienced the Lord on the deepest of levels. We have seen a side of Him that not everyone gets to see. We have experienced miraculous comfort and peace that not everyone gets to experience. Would I trade all of that for a life with Lily? Probably. But that's the mommy in me talking.

I am still sincerely grateful for the deepened relationship I have with God because of my broken heart. I take comfort in His promises, especially in the one that gives me an eternity with my babies. Until then, I endure. I breath in and I breath out, I hope, and I look forward to the day when there is no such thing as rough weeks

Message from Jim Wolfe, High School Teacher

Christ is the Light of the World

"I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Here is an excerpt of a devotional by Nigel Lee that I read last week that comes from a scientific point of view. I hope you will enjoy it.

Einstein among others showed that light consists of "particles" called photons that have energy (but no mass). However, light has many wave-like properties such as refraction (seen, for example, when light bends through a prism). Of course, light enables us to see, and the wavelength at which light radiates determines what color we see. And light (sunlight) enables plants to undergo photosynthesis, which is essential to life (plant, animal, and human) on Earth. From a physical standpoint, then, light is absolute, mysterious, sight-enabling, life-giving, and -- without a doubt -- wondrous!

From a spiritual standpoint, the Light of the World -- Christ -- is equally wondrous. Christ is the Light who forms the absolute standard that discerns the thoughts and intentions of the hearts of men. Christ is the Light who is mysterious (1 Tim. 3:16), dual in nature, both human and divine. Christ is the Light who illuminates the spiritual darkness of this world, forcing those who do not know Him to flee back into the shadows and yet enabling those who DO know Him to see and to understand the things of God. And Christ is the Light who gives us eternal life, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In the world we live in today, with so many uncertainties and so much evil, Christ is the only answer to the questions of life. Let us turn to Christ, the Light of the World.

Message from Jan Wolfe, Art Teacher

Lamentations is an old book, with fitting advice for today’s society. In chapter 3 verse 17 it states “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is, so I say ‘my endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.’”

This echoes the pain and hopelessness that many people are feeling across our nation today. We have to continue reading to find the encouragement to go on. In verse 21 the author continues “But then I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’; says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

Tomorrow is a new morning. Renew your hearts and hope with the steadfast love of the Lord and his never ceasing mercies.

Message from Connie Williams, Library Media Technology K-12

I love the fact that I have a God who cares so deeply for me and desires to guide me through life like no other can.

Being the youngest of 8, I have had a lot of ‘guides’ growing up! Most of the time they had my best interest at heart or at least those of our family’s, but other times, not so much…at least when it went against what I wanted ;). But, I also grew up in a family that loved God above all else and lived with that perspective, so I knew whom to run to for my ultimate guide. As I grew into adult hood, and choices were of deeper consequences, I knew to run to God first and then listen to others, but always filter it through His Word. I’ve grown to feel sorry for those who don’t have the peace of knowing God and therefore forfeit the ultimate Guide through lives ups and downs.

We’ll be enjoying a new member to our family soon, as our oldest son marries a darling girl he met in college! It has been encouraging to Greg and me, as they ask advice but then state they will be praying about it and see what God wants them to do! How awesome is that to know they both have the ultimate Guide through life!

Psalm 25:4-5 Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

The cool thing is, He will show me His way, He will teach me his path and He will guide me in truth because He is my God and my hope! How awesome is that!!

What an inspiration to read His word, meditate, and worship Him, and as a result, get to know our faithful, trustworthy Guide!

Message from Amber Walker, Counselor

I read this devotional and it really hit home for me. Enjoy!

My Daily Bread:
Autumn is hunting season here in Michigan. For a few weeks every year, licensed hunters are allowed to go out into the woods and hunt for various species of wildlife. Some hunters build elaborate tree stands high above the ground where they sit quietly for hours waiting for a deer to wander within rifle range.

When I think of hunters who are so patient when it comes to waiting for deer, I think of how impatient we can be when we have to wait for God. We often equate “wait” with “waste.” If we’re waiting for something (or someone), we think we are doing nothing, which, in an accomplishment-crazed culture, seems like a waste of time.

But waiting serves many purposes. In particular, it proves our faith. Those whose faith is weak are often the first to give up waiting, while those with the strongest faith are willing to wait indefinitely.

When we read the Christmas story in Luke 2, we learn of two people who proved their faith by their willingness to wait. Simeon and Anna waited long, but their time wasn’t wasted; it put them in a place where they could witness the coming of Messiah (vv.22-38).

Not receiving an immediate answer to prayer is no reason to give up faith.

Not ours to know the reason why
Unanswered is our prayer,
But ours to wait for God’s own time
To lift the cross we bear. —Anon.

Waiting for God is never a waste of time.

Message from Carol Vandernaalt, Registrar

“[For] it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good
purpose.” Philippians 2:13 (NIV 1984)

I took a sip of coffee and grimaced as I peered into the cup. Everything looked like it should, but the coffee wasn’t sweet. Yet I remembered tearing open the little yellow packets and sprinkling the sweet crystals over the surface of the caramel colored liquid. Then I realized that—while I had added the sugar—I had never stirred it into the coffee. Without that stirring action, the sugar couldn’t work all the way through.

I do this with my faith as well. I add all the necessary ingredients. I’ve got my Bible, my devotion subscription, my godly friends, my church, my special quiet time journal, my praise and worship songs, my verses memorized. If you looked at me, you’d say it’s all there.

But I’d rather avoid the stirring up part, truth be told. I’d tell you that I know it’s good for me. I’d tell you that it’s not good to stay in one place. I’d tell you that you should submit to God and let Him stir you up and that I’d be glad to pray for you during that process. But me? No. Just leave me alone. Let me sit. I’d rather look okay and be comfortable than be stirred up and reach my full potential.

Have you ever had those feelings?

Maybe today you’re feeling stirred up. Your finances or your job or your marriage or your children or your friendships or your dreams feel like a cyclone is swirling through them, leaving you unsettled and unstable. You might be wondering why God is letting this happen, why He’s forgotten you. Not thinking that it just might be His hand doing the stirring. He’s using those swirling forces to reach all the parts of you that He wants to get to. As today’s verse reminds us, He works in you to accomplish His purpose for you. As you are stirred up in life, thank God that He loves you enough to not let you get stuck, to not leave you bitter. The elements are there—and that’s important—but it’s in the stirring that we become all that He has in mind.

-Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotion

Message from Tara Poovey, Assistant Athletic Director

Face to Face
Taken from Os Hillman

“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” 2 John 12

It is easy to fire off a letter to someone in this age of electronic communication because of its expediency. In business we call this being efficient. However, there are times when nothing but a face-to-face meeting is the appropriate means of communication. We know that verbal skills are a very small portion of communication. Body language, voice tone, and our expressions make up the majority of our overall communication. This cannot be seen through a letter or electronic medium.
John knew that being face to face with those he ministered to was important. And for John, it meant some major trouble to get from one place to another. It wasn’t as simple as getting into a car or hopping onto an airplane. John’s desire and determination to visit and talk face to face reinforces the importance of one-on-one personal communication.

I once had to confront a businessman about some problems we were having in a business deal. He lived in another town. The negotiations had stalled to some degree. I could have attempted to solve the problem over the phone. But I realized the serious nature of the issues required a face-to-face meeting. I drove two hours to his office and met with him face to face. It meant all the difference. It demonstrated to my friend I was serious enough about solving the problem to take a day to come see him. It also showed I valued him and he was worth the effort. This resulted in him giving greater emphasis to the issue.

Next time a situation arises that requires more focused communication, consider whether the situation requires a personal visit. You may find this will be the key to resolving issues that otherwise might end in a stalemate.

Message from Barb Tomb, Admin. Assistant to Superintendent

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! Psalm 89:15
I know that with all my heart that when I sing praises to God, something is happening in heaven, because my spirit gets relief, my emotions change from negative to positive, my mind feels inspired to think more wisely, my heart is guarded from the pain I might otherwise experience, my physical body relaxes and I’m drawn into God’s presence knowing His loving arms are wrapped around me in His safe and secure protection.
Make a habit of praising God throughout your day and just see if it doesn’t soothe your spirit’s dryness with the oil of joy. Don’t make it a one-time morning or bedtime deal. And don’t wait until you get an answer to your prayers or a blessing from God before you praise Him. God is good all the time, and we need to praise Him all the time – whether or not we feel like it.
When our kids were all growing up, Dave used to tell them over and over, “You can’t always control how you feel, but you can control how you act.” To this day, our family repeats this statement time and time again as we seek to praise God all the time.
- excerpts taken from Joy for the Journey

Message from Carol Stines, International Department

> From one pumpkin to another!!!!!!!
>
> A woman was asked by a coworker,
>
> 'What is it like to be a Christian?'
>
> The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.'
>
> God picks you from the patch, brings you in,
>
> and washes all the dirt off of you.
>
> Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.
>
> He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.
>
> Then He carves you a new smiling face and
>
> puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'

Message from Dan Stauffer, Jr/Sr High Math Teacher

"When I think of God's goodness to me and my family, I reflect back to a difficult experience that began on July 4, 2000. At the time I was living with my wife and two children in a remote part of Africa, just beginning a translation of the Bible for the Songhai people. On that particular Tuesday afternoon my wife lost her ability to respond and communicate clearly; she had contracted malaria. Being thousands of miles from a modern hospital this was quite frightening. What could I do? God had the right people in place, and I was able to arrange an evacuation flight to the capital city (2 days away by car, but only a 3-hour flight). Of course, I "knew" for sure that we would return to our home within a couple of weeks and pick up our ministry where we had left off. However, the doctors in the capital were very concerned. This was not an ordinary case of malaria. It was, in fact, cerebral malaria. Bad news: most people who contract such a severe case of cerebral malaria do not survive. It was evident that the medical help in the capital was not good enough, so we were encouraged to evacuate to Paris. The corporate jet rented to us for this special evacuation belonged to the president of a neighboring country. It carried the whole family to France. A few days later as my wife lay in the hospital dying from parasites in her blood, I received the news that the cost of our evacuation flight had exceeded the insurance by thirty thousand dollars. What could I do? I was losing my wife, and I was tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Again God had the right people in place. The doctors did their work with fantastic skill, and my wife made a full recovery--incredible! Many people who heard about our evacuation debt wanted to contribute and make sure that it would not be a burden to us. Within two to three months we owed nothing--incredible!

God answered our prayers in the way we had hoped. However, today I still have to ask myself: what if I had lost my wife? What if I had worked for years to pay off the debt I had incurred? My life over the past eleven years would have been a lot different. It seems I would have been so devastated. I need to remind myself that even if God had not used the doctors to heal my wife and blessed me with contributions from faithful supporters to meet my financial need He always leads me through what is ultimately best for my life. In spite of my lack of understanding, God always does what is right--He never makes mistakes. That's the assurance I want to face the experiences I have in my life...experiences that seem to turn out right and those that I think should have had a different conclusion."