Message from Superintendent, Phil Adams

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Message from Jim & Jan Wolfe, High School Biology and Art

This year has been a year of mountain top highs and valley lows.

From the amazing birth of our first grandchild, to the passing of a loved peer.

We thank God for our mountain top experiences.  They help us see our way across the valleys and helps us to anticipate what is to come. Things begin to make sense and we have an understanding of the way God wants us to go.  It is a wonderful time of focusing on allowing the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and enjoy the majestic views of the valley below.

Likewise, we need to thank God for those valley experiences.  The valley is where we can be fruitful and grow as well.  The valley is where crops are planted because they cannot grow in the thin soils of the mountain top.  True, we can't see as far in the valley.  But, it is in the valley that the people live their lives with all of its challenges, hurts and pain.

Jesus lived on a mountain top.  He didn't stay there.  He allowed himself to descend to the valley to be with a people who are hurting and doing their best to make it back up to the mountain top. 

"In Matthew 17:1 Peter wanted to stay on top of the mountain and build a tabernacle after the transfiguration of Jesus. Peter didn't understand that mountain top experiences are not stopping places. They are starting points. "*

The birth of our grandson was a wonderful day, but it is just the first of many days in the life of a child.  We will have many more mountain top experiences with him and others that may come along.  Connie's passing was a low valley experience for us, but it is an everlasting time of mountain top experience for her as she delights in spending every day with Jesus.  May we too strive to enjoy not only the highlights of our lives, but the low spots as well.  Jesus is with us every step of the way and can bring us joy regardless of where we are in our walk with Him.

* Tammy Darling, Evangel Magazine May 2013

Message from Carol Stines, Director of International Programs

It’s sort of strange to think about, but I’ve already decided what I would like written on my gravestone – or on a plaque on my ashes.  Here are the words:

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.

This is the final stanza from ‘How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” by Stuart Townend.

Stuart says he wanted to tell the story of Christ from the Father’s point of view – what it cost Him to give His son - that’s what the first two stanza’s are about.  Next Stuart talks of his complicity in what happened – that it was his sin that held Christ there – upon the cross.  Lastly are two stanzas that are from a personal perspective on what Christ has done for us.

Songs really draw me closer to the Lord.  I am so thankful for Christian song writers. When you sing a song, really think about what you are saying.

Message from Jamie Ross, Kindergarten Teacher

Where is your treasure?  Where is your heart?

The words of Jesus from Matthew 6:19-21 (NAS):

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

On the last day of 2012, I attended a celebration of life memorial service. Family & friends said so many wonderful things, but the most profound and touching for me was what a family member said: “We would always give a kiss, hug & I love you before we left home, even if we were only going to be gone for a few minutes.”

I was faced with my own mortality, not too long ago. All the business of life seemed to stay at a stand still for a couple of weeks. I remembered those precious, tender words that Jesus spoke and that my friend spoke. I thought about where my heart and treasure was.

A song, by Deanna Edwards, from an old 33 1/3 LP album came to mind:

 

Live Each Day

 

When you live, live every day as if it were the last day that you’ll be living.

When you give, give every day as if it were the last gift that you’ll be giving.

 Don’t ever give with half a heart, or shine with half a light.

Live each day as if it were the last day of your life.

You can’t take back those thoughtless words you said before the dawn was breaking.

But you can say “good-bye” today to all the big mistakes that you were making.

You can take just one more step and give it one more try, living each day as if it were the last day of your life. You don’t have to save the world, just mend one broken heart.

Even if you’ve never loved before, it’s not too late to start.

Love begins where “now” begins, it doesn’t take too much to ease the sorrow.

It matters not what fortune brings, for only God can give tomorrow.

When you sing, let each man hear one sweet song through the strife, living each day as if it were the last day of your life.

Message from Jennifer Pellish, Drama Director/English Teacher

The Path of Life Leads Upward for the Wise (taken from Today in the Word)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. Proverbs 15:9

In “The Road Not Taken,” poet Robert Frost reflected on the significance of a choice. Walking in the woods one day, he came to a fork in the path. He could not see what lay ahead in either direction. Which way should he go? In the end, he chose “the one less traveled by, /And that has made all the difference.”

Two contrasting paths is a common picture in the wisdom literature of Scripture. Just as Proverbs gives us a portrait of the godly person who takes the first path, it also gives us a picture of the sinner who takes the second path. What might that second picture look like, based on today’s chapter? A fool has a poor relationship with his parents (vv. 5, 20). He spurns discipline and correction (vv. 10, 12, 31–32). The things he loves are stupid or evil or both (vv. 14, 21). The words he says are harsh (v. 1), deceitful (v. 4), ignorant (v. 7), quarrelsome (v. 18), and impetuous (v. 28)—and since “the mouth of the fool gushes” (v. 2), there are a lot of them!

Comparison proverbs make even better sense in light of the two paths (see vv. 16–17). The general form of this type of proverb is, “Better is A with X than B with Y.” A is usually an apparently negative quality, activity, or circumstance, with B as an apparently positive opposite. X is usually a genuinely positive quality, activity, or circumstance, with Y as an opposite, resulting in a reversed perception of A and B. For example, in verse 16, A is “a little” (materially) and B is “great wealth.” B seems preferable. But add in X as “fear of the Lord” and Y as “turmoil” and the perception flips. A right relationship with God is far more valuable than financial wealth!

Message from Adam Olson, Physical Education Teacher

From the book of Exodus:
There are countless people and stories in the Bible involving strength and perseverance through God.  One such person was a man named Moses.  His story is amazing, so much in fact, that he is known in both the Christian and secular world for parting the Red Sea in order to let his people escape slavery from the Egyptians. 

What many people are unaware of, is the journey and the burdens that Moses bore throughout his trek to the Promised Land.  Even his most loyal followers questioned his leadership and therefore God's leadership.  The Jewish people's faith wavered at the slightest hint of adversity.  They complained, betrayed and even created false idols.

Moses himself never reached the Promised Land, but he delivered his people and remained faithful to The Lord.

The connection between teachers and Moses is strong.  In a world where we may feel alone, we must stand up and have an unwavering faith that we are living a Christ-like life.  In our own classrooms, we set the tone, handle discipline and undergo daily disputes.  Every day we are faced with trials that can make even the strongest of Christians waver.

We as adults (administrators, staff, teachers and coaches) are all expected to do the "right thing".  In today's world, the "right thing" is not always what lines up with what God wants us to do.  We feel pressured to let something slide because "it's not that big of a deal".

I'm sure that Moses was tempted to let things slide and even question God himself.  He was probably tempted to abandon his people (at least the "defiant and ungrateful" individuals) and continue on his journey himself.  By trimming the so called fat, his journey would be shorter and easier.  But Moses never wavered.  He saw to it that all Israelites would have opportunity to reach the Promised Land.  He had faith in God, even when all the people he led questioned him and complained about hunger, thirst or being lost, he had a servant's heart. 

In the same way, we must do this with our students.  Knowing that we are leading them to the Promised Land despite the obstacles we may face.  I am encouraged every day by my interactions with our students. 

As the school year winds down, I encourage you to lead like Moses led.  If he could do it for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for 40 years straight in the desert while fighting wars, we are more than capable of teaching on the current schedule.  We have a great faculty and administration here at Phoenix Christian capable of extraordinary faith!

Message from Andi O'Dell, Junior High Teacher

“I Will Save the Best for Last”

They will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.  Revelation 22:4

I have shown you so many good things-my favor, my mercy.  I have granted you forgiveness, gifted you with insight, and flooded your life with my own joy.  But there is so much yet to come.

The day is coming when disappointment and death will be no more.  In their place will be abundant healing and fruitfulness, rich beauty and satisfaction.  The day is coming when I will show you what will bring your greatest joy and satisfaction.  I will show my face to you.  You will see the radiance of my countenance smiling down on you, welcoming you, rewarding you.  You will see the beauty of my character like never before-clearly and completely.

I am giving you abundant life now and in the days to come.  But you can celebrate in knowing that I will save the best for last-when you will see my face.

I have been marked as yours, Lord.  How I long to see the beauty of your face smiling as you look me in the eye and say, “Well done.”. . .

-Abundant Life by Nancy Guthrie

Message from Karla Mungillo, Elementary Teacher

Romans 15:4  "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

 I'm tired,  I'm worn
My heart is heavy from the work it takes to keep on breathing
I've made mistakes,  I've let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed by the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest  so I cry out with all that I have left

And my prayers are wearing thin I'm worn even before the day begins
I'm worn I've lost my will to fight, I'm worn so heaven come and flood my eyes
Let me see redemption win Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn
I want to know a song can rise from the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn

I heard this song on the radio and I quickly realized that this sums up the way I have been feeling.  I am simply worn out.  Worn out from the demands of everyday living, worn out from the stress of trying to raise godly children, worn out from teaching my students to make wise decisions and to have a servants heart, worn out from pretending to others that I have it altogether when inside I'm falling apart.  But I know there is hope and I know that redemption wins.

What a treasure we have in God's word.  It's packed with lessons about people who walked with God.  They experienced great success and tremendous failure.  They were real people with real problems, people who struggled, just like we do, to grow in their faith.  What an encouragement to press on, even as they did, to help others know God.  May our lives be living messages for others to see.  He has placed each of us believers in a particular place, at this particular time.  Maybe it's to encourage another teacher who's afraid to ask for help.  Maybe it's to help those experiencing physical or emotional weakness, who struggle just to make it through the day.  Just stop and consider what others are dealing with in their classes or at home, and then offer them the same understanding and patient you desire from others.

Romans 15:4  "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Message from Margarita Llanes, Spanish Teacher

May the words from the Institute for Creation Research make us think.

            “The Sin of Complaining”

“And he gave them their request; but sent a wasting disease upon them” (Psalm 106:15)

Christians who complain about their circumstances would do well to ponder this sobering verse and its background. God has greatly blessed His people, Israel, delivering them supernaturally from slavery in Egypt, protecting them against their enemies-even miraculously supplying bread and water to them in the desert.

Still they complained-about their food, about the imaginary luxuries they had left behind in Egypt, and against their leaders. “And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled (Numbers 11:1).

God has blessed every Christian with forgiveness of sin and eternal life. He daily fulfills His promise to supply every need (not every desire, however), and we should live a thankful life in return, regardless of our particular lot in this world. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)”Do all things without murmurings and disputing” (Philippians 2:14) Complaining about what we don’t have may well result in God taking away what we do have-and still worse- sending wasting disease upon us.

Message from Lois Leader, High School Teacher

We all know high school is often a mirror of the adult world; sometimes very darkly. The significant people tend to be the star athletes or the top scholars or the most entertaining people. Cliques are common and kids can be marginalized in unkind ways.

The person who had the most impact on me in high school wasn’t a top scholar. She struggled with her classes and I got to know her at first as her tutor. She couldn’t be a star athlete because she had cerebral palsy and just walking from class to class was an accomplishment. And she couldn’t be an entertaining chatterer because the CP made it hard for her to talk. Her name was Carla Wilkerson.

She had a joy in God that was direct. I remember staying over at her house one night. We got up early and saw the sunrise. It was one of those brilliant desert sunrises and she said, “That’s what it will be like when I meet Jesus in person.” Her face glowed like the sunrise.

It may not be surprising to learn there were bullies “back in the day,” even at PC. One afternoon Carla and I were working together in the library when three of these fellows approached us. One of them told Carla, “Your boyfriend here has a present for you.” He gave her a dog biscuit and the crew sauntered out. At that moment I was prepared to leap the table and do whatever damage a person the size of an eleven year old could inflict on a football player. But Carla stopped me.

“Don’t,” she said, “They just don’t understand what it’s like.”

I’ve never forgotten the way she was able to step outside her hurt and see the situation from a godly, rather than a personal, perspective. She was the star of the PC campus to me.

In those days before Facebook we lost touch with each other. I learned recently that she passed away. I wish I’d been able to tell her that she’s been a lifelong influence on me. So I’m happy to be able to tell all of you. Phil 2:3.

Message from Janice Koivisto, Junior High/High School Teacher

Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there…Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored.

Luke 6:8, 10

 

Chances are, it wasn’t easy for this man to stand and stretch out the very limb he had been seeking to hide.  Neither is it easy for us to uncover our faults and limitations and reach out to Jesus. It is, however, the road to recovery and restoration.

 

Jesus, today I want to stand in front of You, not cowering or hiding or ducking around the corner. Help me to be bold and strong before You. Let me stretch out to You with all I am, exposing my deepest hurts, my deepest needs, my darkest moments. I know You want to heal me, You are willing to heal me, and You are able to heal me! I want it, too, and I am willing, and I know you are able! Like this man with the shriveled hand, here I am, Jesus. And in You, I am completely restored! Amen and Amen.

Message from Laura Huizenga, Choral Music Teacher

Are you needing a little encouragement at this point in your semester?  How about counting the “spiritual blessings” we have in Christ Jesus, according to Ephesians 1?

 We have Grace.

We have Peace.
We have every spiritual blessing in Christ.
He chose us in Him before the foundations of the earth.
He chose us to be holy and blameless in His sight.
He acted towards us in love.
It was His pleasure and will to predestine us to be adopted as His sons.
Our adoption results in the praise of His glorious grace.
He gives us that grace freely in the One He loves, Jesus.
We have redemption in Jesus through His blood.
We have forgiveness of sins.
God has lavished the riches of His grace on us with all wisdom and understanding.
He was pleased to make known to us the mystery of His will (all things=under Christ).
His choosing us and predestining us was according to His plan and will, which He always works out perfectly.
We who hope in Christ are for the praise of His glory.
We were marked in Christ by the seal of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance until our final redemption.
We are God’s possession.
We are given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.
We may know Him better (and better, and better…)
We are called to a future hope and a glorious inheritance as His saints.
We have access to His incomparably great power—resurrection power!

Jesus, who was raised from the dead and seated at God’s right hand far above all other powers and titles for all eternity, has been appointed as our head.

Message from Mary Hendricks, Elementary Teacher

Wisdom in Accepting Others

Proverbs 22:2
'The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.

     Students struggle with wrong values. In elementary school name-calling and insults are not uncommon. The handicapped, the slow-learner, and the less developed are the butt of cruel jokes. In high school, the athletic, the best looking, or the best dressed often lead the popularity parade. Even teachers are often guilty of favoring the exceptional student.

     The problem with such favoritism is a failure to see people as God sees them. Solomon reminds us that we are all the creation of God. Wealth, poverty, personality, academic, and athletic skills are by God's design. To favor one over the other is to disregard God's design and providence. When students mock another, they mock his Maker (Prov. 14:31; 17:5). Likewise, 1 Corinthians 8:12 reminds us that when we sin against another Christian we “sin against God.”

     James reminds us of the other side of the coin (2:1-9)-honoring others for their station in life. When we give preferential treatment to those who are more popular, better looking, or better students, we also mock God. Job declared "For know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away” (Job 32:22).

Final thought: To favor one above another is to mock the wisdom of our Maker!
 (Taken from, Apples for Teachers by Frank Hamrick)

A New Year Prayer for My Students

Dear Lord,

You’ve called me to teach another semester and now the new year has begun. I know my students even better this semester, than I did back in August. Yet, I often feel overwhelmed by the challenge set before me. I know that each student is unique and each child has different strengths and weaknesses, setting them apart from their classmates. Lord, I need your wisdom and strength to teach each one to accept the gifts and the limitations you have given to them, as they grow in you.I know that I can only attempt this in your strength, day by day, Lord.
Most of all, fill me with love and acceptance for each one of these children that you have placed in my care. I pray that I may show them your love and how to seek you with all their heart, to love your Word, and to pray with great faith in you. Heavenly Father, I give each day ahead of me to you, and seek your blessings for each one of the students in my class.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Message from Jay Hendricks, High School Teacher

Welcome to the first week of school in 2013.

We survived, once again, what many thought, at least, according to the ancient Mayans, would be the end of the world. Instead we face the BEGINNING of another semester. The question comes to mind, “What does this new beginning mean for us?”

One of my favorite authors Chaim Potok opened one of his novels with the words, “All beginnings are hard,” which was a quote from a Hebrew commentary on the book of Exodus, certainly a difficult beginning. This is not the most auspicious opening to a new year, but beginnings have their challenges.

Henry Ford, the famous entrepreneur said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” This is a concept of beginning that has some promise, and I would like to think we as teachers all aspire to bring students together with great thinkers and ideas, teaching them to discern truth.

The beginning I found most encouraging comes from Isaiah 43:18-19, “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

It is my prayer that 2013 is the best year ever for you and for PCUS.

Message from Colleen Helman, High School Teacher

2012 . . . A PERSPECTIVE

This year, 2012, has been a year of changes, both for me and for my family. Some of the changes have been wonderful blessings. Some changes have been less-than-desirable, from my limited vantage point. But, the perspective I gain this time of year, as I take time to reflect, is always educational to me, and revealing as I look for God’s hand in each event/situation.

 

Here are a couple of “high” points:

• Our son, Jonathan, married the love of his life in February and we, as parents, adore Roxy and love adding her to our family as our daughter!
• Jim and I sold our home of 24 years so we could downsize to a condo in downtown Phoenix. I love it here!

Here are a couple of “less-than-high” points:

• I unexpectedly needed to have surgery five days after school began. (I dislike things that happen “unexpectedly”.)
• Our pastor at our church announced his retirement. (I dislike change.)
• My dear mother-in-law passed away and is now enjoying Heaven. I know this is joyful, but I miss her.

So, there have been some surprises and changes in my life during 2012, both joyful and sorrowful. Several things have not changed, nor will they ever change:

 

• Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Psalm 36:5

• Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

• “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

• Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you.  1 Peter 5:7

• In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39

• Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year!

 

 

Message from Harold Harmon, High School Teacher

This past weekend was our Christmas celebration in Mexico.  My wife, daughter, and I have been involved with this mission group, AIM, for around 12 years now.  Where twelve years ago virtually everyone lived in a make-shift shanty of some sort (one family’s house consisted of a piece of plastic supported on four corners with sticks), many of the families now have small crude block houses.  The government has laid slabs for some and has extended access to electricity to about one-half of the area we refer to as the dump.

Twelve years ago AIM supplied presents to around 500 children who lived in the area.  Saturday over 800 children showed up for the celebration and over 1200 hotdogs were served.  The mayor, with his entourage and camera crew, usually shows up when we have a major event and gives a boring speech; but he does extend appreciation for what AIM does in the area.  He has pledged to match us dollar for dollar for the food that is distributed which has allowed us to bless many more people. 

We have prayed for a way to reach the people with the gospel since our Spanish is not very good.  God has provided a retired New Tribes missionary and his wife, who live in the area, and who are going from home to home teaching the people about Jesus.  Although meager by our standards, the area has shown major improvement over the past decade.

Sandy, Paulita and I are now moving into a new area by the tracks that has about 250 people that have not been reached yet.  This is where many of the shoes that Phoenix Christian donated last year went.  Since this new effort is not really supported by AIM, everything is essentially done by the three of us.   Sandy and Paulita handed out over 200 shoe boxes filled with toiletries, etc., and served about 250 burritos.  They were very sad because this was all that we could afford to do and we had no presents for the children.  Please pray that God will greatly bless our efforts there.  Food distribution is once per month but we are only able to go down every other month because of our health and other commitments.  Our next trip will be in February. 

Message from Irma Flores, Elementary Teacher

December is a month where we have shopping on our minds and buying the right gifts for friends and family.  The following poem is about heavenly shopping.  I found it on a tract from the Old Paths Tract Society in Indiana.  May it be a blessing to you as it was to me.

 Shop In Heaven's Grocery Store

I was walking down life's highway a long
    time ago.
One day I saw a sign that read Heaven's
    Grocery Store.
As I got a little closer, the door came open
    wide,
And when I came to myself, I was stand-
    ing inside.
I saw a host of angels; they were standing
    everywhere.
And one angel said, "My child shop with
    care."
Everything a Christian needed was in
    that grocery store.
And all you couldn't carry you could
    come back the next day for more.
First, I got some patience, love was in the
    same row.
Further down was understanding, you
    need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of wisdom, a bag or two
    of faith.
I just couldn't miss the Holy Ghost  for
    He was all over the place.
I stopped to get some strength  and
    courage to help me run the race.
By then my basket was getting full, but I
    remembered I needed some grace.
I didn't forget salvation,  for salva-
    ion that was free.
So I tried to get enough of that to save
     you and me.
Then I started to the counter to pay my
     grocery bill.
For I thought I had eveything to do my
    Master's will.
As I went up the aisle, I saw prayer and
    just had to put that in.
For I knew when I stepped outside, I
    would run right into sin.
Peace and joy were plentiful, they were on
    the last shelf.
Song and praises were hanging near so I
    just helped myself.
Then, I said now how much do I owe?
He just smiled and said, Just take them
    everywhere you go.
How much do I really owe?
He smiled and said, My child, Jesus paid
     your bill a long time ago.
--Lorine Woody

Message from Keith de Laet, Elementary Principal

This past Thanksgiving weekend, I had the opportunity to go and see the Grand Canyon University presentation of “A Christmas Carol”.  It was an added bonus that my son Nathan was cast a Bob Cratchit  I love the story of  “A Christmas Carol”, and it is a holiday tradition to take in a couple of times.  It doesn’t seem to matter to me if it is a play or a film, serious or parody, or even the muppets!  A Christmas Carol never seems to get old for me.

Different viewers take in different meanings, I’m sure.  To me, the tale is about the value of the human soul.  When the story opens we meet Scrooge who, for all his business success, has lost sight human worth.  One by one we are introduced to characters, living and dead, who see beyond the day to day routine of life.  Life, to these characters is a celebration of human worth and therefore we only really live when we care, share, and invest ourselves into the lives of our fellow man.  Failure to make this investment leads to a wasted existence, Dickens tells us.

I think that I love this so much because it ties in directly to what Jesus taught us when he said that the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and that you might have it abundantly.  Killing, stealing, and destroying comes in many forms.  Certainly Scrooge had his possessions, but his joy had been stolen.  Most of the other characters had little wealth, but were filled with joy and wonder for the value of the human soul.  The same is true for us.  A person can have more wealth than one could ever need, but be lost.  One can also seemingly have nothing, but be filled with purpose and direction.  

I may seem to digress, but often we play the wish game.  If you could wish for anything, what would it be?  I like to think it is a simple question, one should wish for contentment.  If you think about it for a moment, most people wish for things like money, fame, or relationships because they believe these things will make them content.  So why not cut to the chase and wish for contentment.  It seems to be the thing we long for and the thing Jesus said He came to offer; life with abundance.

I think this is why I love “A Christmas Carol” so much.  It reminds me of the value of the human soul and that true contentment comes only through Christ.  I’m also glad that every year we get a reminder.

Blessings to you this Christmas!

Keith  de Laet

Message from Margaret Crotts, Elementary Teacher

ALONG FOR THE RIDE

 

Owen likes road trips.   He does.  His crate fits perfectly in the back of my car, and he’s always ready to hop in.  He never begs to see an itinerary.  He never questions my route.  He doesn’t ask if we’re “there yet” or whine for a rest stop, or water, or a toy.  He gets settled in his crate, I get behind the wheel, and off we go.   I’m in charge of the driving – and my sweet, four-legged friend is along for the ride.

 I usually put something interesting in the crate to occupy his attention – a chewie rawhide or a beat up toy -  but before long Owen’s lying down, his eyes drooping closed and his breathing even and slow.  He’s not afraid to sleep while I navigate; he trusts me to get us where we’re going.

 If the trip is long and I stop for a bit, I’ll open the back and take Owen out for a break;  a turn on the leash, sniffing and exploring, and a drink and a bit of a treat to eat.  I don’t leave him unattended; I never forget he’s there.   When it’s time to crate up again he doesn’t balk; he goes right in easy and settles down quickly.  He’s along for the ride.

 You see where this is going, right?

 My dog’s faith puts mine to shame.  In contrast to Owen, I wonder how often what the driver ( let’s call him God) is up to;  question the route he uses to take me where he means for me to go;  feel the need for frequent updates to reassure me that we are, in fact, making good progress.  And in no way do I relish being “loaded in” for travel facing backward, with no visibility and no control over the trip.

 He means to get me from point A to point B, and to mature me in the process.  I find it difficult to give myself to this “going” without seeing – to say “yes” to the journey and say nothing more.  I struggle to relax, and fear that if I close my eyes we may veer hopelessly off track.

Even writing these words I feel ashamed.  I’ve followed him long enough that I should be more confident with his way-finding skills.   I should enjoy the trip, and be relieved to not be minding the map.   I should feel free to sigh and sleep – to snore even – knowing he is getting us where we need to be.  After all, he is the navigator.  And I’m just along for the ride.

 

Leigh McLeroy
WEDNESDAY WORDS