Message from Karen Boyce, Chief Financial Officer

The Amazing Race

I love themes. They provide context, metaphor, imagery and vision. This is such a fun theme for our all of us to share together. I’m anxious to see how this theme takes hold and changes lives during this year, start to finish.

Have you ever been part of a pit crew? Win or lose, it is exhilarating! I learned this first hand when I married into a boat racing family. Seemed like the perfect fit being that I am extremely competitive. However, in order to even be considered part of the crew, I had to learn to turn wrenches, understand engine mechanics, identify when our motor ran lean or rich, and proudly wear the team uniform. It was all worth it. The best part was laboring together as a crew and the anticipation of a race. It was often months of preparation for the thrill of nine seconds to the quarter-mile finish line. If we lost, we took away great memories. If we won, we took away a trophy but the richness of the experience was even greater.

In racing, its not how you start the race but how you finish the race. The biggest hope and blessing we as Christians have is that we know how the race really ends. We may not know the journey of getting there – the failures, cost, manual labor, restarts, pit stops, repairs – but we know the glory that awaits on the other side of the finish line. The best part is we can bring others alongside so they too are able to experience God’s glory. Working in Christian education allows passion to meet purpose resulting in changing the lives of our students and their families.

 

I see the administration, faculty and staff of PC as the pit crew working together for our students experiencing both Christ and individual success. Each student here has their own race ahead of them. We all hold tools that help fine-tune their performance or lack thereof. We find areas of weakness that need strengthening and training for endurance. In various ways, we each play a part as the pit crew in preparing students for their race.

One of my favorite race quotes is “Happiness is being in the pits!” There’s no place I’d rather be, literally or metaphorically!

Have a blessed week in the pits.

Message from Lisa Blake, Head Counselor

So let's just say being a mother of 4 is certainly the greatest challenge of my life! This last weekend felt like an episode of Nanny 911 except I didn't have the Super Nanny flying in to save the day. After a long trying day on Sunday, I escaped out to the front porch to try to find my way back to sanity.  As I let out a deep sigh, I found myself reflecting on the "centering" prayer that Jeff taught that very Sunday morning at Joy. "Be still and know that I am God." So I began with Be Still. Why is this so hard for us? I ask this question to my kids all of the time. Why can't you just be still? I'm sure that's what God's asking us.  Why can't  you just "be" Lisa? I want you to be still with me Lisa. I want you to be with me Lisa. I want you to be still and know Lisa. I want you to be still and know Lisa that I am. I want you to be still and know that I am God Lisa. Be still when you're trying to make dinner and you have two little ones crying for your attention. I Am God! Be still when you look at that stack of 50 essays to grade. I Am God! Be still when you hear the news you've always dreaded. I Am God! Be still when you're head is pounding, you're back is aching, you're stomach churning. I Am God! Be still be still be still. I wonder how many more times I 'll need to hear that before it becomes second nature. It's almost as if we cannot really KNOW God until we are still. I often reflect on my grandfather's last few months. With his memory failing and his body deteriorating, I imagine him in his stillness and can't help but believe that He was in this powerful communion with His God. 

The funny thing is even just sitting here for these few minutes tonight "being still" I find myself breathing more deeply, experiencing the peace that can only be found when we rest in the truth that He Is God!

Message from Jeff Blake, Jr/Sr High Principal

Brian McClaren, in his book Finding Our Way: The Return of the Ancient Practices, quotes this wonderful little song by Carrie Newcomber:

holy is the dish and drain
the soap and sink, and the cup and plate
and the warm wool socks, and the cold white tile
showerheads and good dry towels
and frying eggs sound like psalms
with bits of salt measured in my palm
it’s all a part of a sacrament
as holy as a day is spent

holy is the busy street
and cars that boom with passion’s beat
and the check out girl, counting change
and the hands that shook my hands today
and hymns of geese fly overhead
and spread their wings like their parents did
blessed be the dog, that runs in her sleep
to chase some wild and elusive thing

Find more similar lyrics on holy is the familiar room
and quiet moments in the afternoon
and folding sheets like folding hands
to pray as only laundry can
I’m letting go of all my fear
like autumn leaves made of earth and air
for the summer came and the summer went
as holy as a day is spent

holy is the place I stand
to give whatever small good I can
and the empty page, and the open book
redemption everywhere i look
unknowingly we slow our pace
in the shade of unexpected grace
and with grateful smiles and sad lament
as holy as a day is spent

and morning light sings “providence”
as holy as a day is spent

McLaren’s point in highlighting the song is very simple.  We are to move each day closer to a discipline of “faithing our practices” (p. 184).   And by that we are to learn spiritual intimacy in the simple routines of day. 

This morning and this moment, there is a simple beauty in the back and forth questions and answers between Lisa, my wife, and Brooklynne, my daughter—as Lisa fills lunch boxes. In their dialogue, I hear simple expressions of love and intimacy, which flow from our Creator’s passion for relationship.  And by the way, I can also celebrate the cooing of my youngest upstairs anticipating his day.

Take a moment today to “faith your practices.”  Brother Lawrence once remarked that he could sense God’s presence while doing the dishes as much while taking the Eucharist.  May we sense God’s presence in our empty and full classrooms, the wet grass after an evening of rain, the laughter from the play ground, and the fellowship we enjoy from each other.

Armstrong passed away on Aug. 25, 2012 following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures. He was 82.

"High Flight"
by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

 

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up, the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, nor even eagle flew.
And while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space...
...put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

President Reagan used a portiong of this poem during his speech at the memorial for the Challenger astronauts in 1986 with this well remembered line, "We shall never forget them nor the last time we saw them, as they prepared for their mission and waved good-bye and slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God."  I thought the entire poem would be appropriate in recognition and honor of the passing of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.

Message from Phil Adams, Superintendent

Matthew 13

I was reminded in the worship service yesterday that the quality of soil is not the primary concern of the sower.  His job is to scatter the seed as far and as wide as possible. In the short term it would seem to be more efficient if he got to decide where the seed would go, but that would only slow him down over the course of time. Make no mistake, the fruit that the seed will bear will reveal the soil in due course.  Our students are "soil". No one knows but God whether they are fertile or not. Their soil may be thin. It may be choked with weeds. But just like soil can be amended, cultivated, watered, and fertilized, people, especially young people,  do not remain static. And thank God we are not responsible for the quality of the soil, just the spreading of seed. 

A criticism often leveled at Christian schools is the lack of maturity of their students. They can be indifferent, even hostile to spiritual things. They may be lukewarm or uncommitted. Christ's disciples were all adults and He often admonished them, yet they changed the world. Our kids will change the world too. Let's be as patient with them as others were of us.

Message from Connie Williams, Elementary Teacher

As the school year winds down, I'm reminded of the many choices and decisions our students and fellow staff members have ahead of them over the summer months. It is comforting to know we can entrust them to the gentle yet strong arms of our loving Savior.

This prayer is from the book, Power Prayers for Teachers by Denise Shumway.

Under His Wings

Psalm 91:4 NKJV

He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

Father, what a comfort to know we're securely sheltered under You.  Like a mother hen, You supply us with everything we need.  Likewise, You can provide for those we work with-students and staff alike.  We rest in Your truth, which surrounds us and offers safety in the storms of life.  Like armor, Your Word protects us in battle.

Have a restful summer!

Message from Donna Thornton, Elementary Art Teacher

On The Seashore

Sunday in our Bible class we were talking about Jesus' appearance on the seashore to the disciples who had gone fishing.  I thought it was interesting that Peter needed to be doing something while he was waiting on the Lord so he went fishing. Jesus seemed to be okay with that since he was preparing a little barbeque fish lunch for them on the shore. 

   Sometimes I get a little over anxious while waiting.  I often wonder how many years of life I could add if I was given back all the wait time.  Given this story in the Bible it seems that it may be a common human problem, not just a modern day problem.  So, is it better to be doing something while waiting?  I think so.  I'm often amazed at the calming effect this has and also the many everyday tasks that can be checked off my list by doing so. 

   Another thing the lesson brought out, that I hadn't thought of before, was the personal characteristics that Jesus demonstrated as he encountered these seven disciples - kindness, generosity, empowering teamwork, and servanthood. He didn't give them a lecture. Instead he gave them a job," Feed my sheep". 

   My birthday last week gave me a few moments of reflection concerning time.  Life is short.  I hope that in the time I have left I will take these lessons to heart. I want to use my waiting time, work together with others, and also take seriously the task of feeding the sheep.

Message from Carol Stines, Director of International Program

My method of Bible reading is that I alternate between two translations or versions.  I read the Bible through using the Message translation then I read the Bible through using the Chronological Bible then I go back to the Message.  So, I’ve read the same passages a number of times, but recently, while reading in Exodus a simple verse struck me.

It’s Exodus 16:36: The Israelites ate manna forty years.  40 YEARS! 

Immediately the song came to mind – Our God is an Awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from Heaven above
With wisdom power and love
Our God is an awesome God

Just to think about the Lord providing for the Israelites every single day for 40 years is just one reason to sing that Our God is An Awesome God!  As the song says …

I hope that you have not
Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God

Message from Dan Stauffer, Jr./Sr. High Teacher

Many of you have probably read Francis Chan's little book, Crazy Love.  From my perspective, he has a poignant way of reminding his readers about who God is and who we are as His children.  Here are a few lines from his book that encouraged me in my busyness:

"When I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about my life, my family, and my job-I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a "right" to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities. Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control. Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we've been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won't be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small, indeed. Why are we so quick to forget God? Who do we think we are?"

Message from Jamie Ross, Elementary Teacher

Kudos to Preschool

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
        Proverbs 22:6

My grand daughter and I have these philosophical discussions on our way home each day, from preschool.

Grand child: “Grawma, why did Jesus hafta die, then rise up again?”
Jamie: “Someone had to take the punishment for our sins.”
Grand child: “Do you sin, Grawma?”
Jamie: “Yes, I do. I ask Jesus to forgive me every day, for my sins.”
Grand child: “In that case: Grawma, will you give me some of yours? Cause I already gave Jesus all of mine.”

Not long ago, my darling grand daughter committed a biggie. As I turned to the sign out page, my heart sank. A note was attached: Please see Mrs. Furedy. She told me of how she spoke with Hailey and gave her consequences. The most important thing she did was to pray with her. When I told Hailey how sad I was for what she had done, she said that she had already said her sorries and she didn’t see the need for me to show the note to her mommy & daddy. Well of course, I did any way. Hailey wondered if this would ever be over with.

I appreciate the preschool teachers and director: Mrs. Furedy ever so much! They are helping parents & grand parents to raise kids for the kingdom.

Kudos to you: preschool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Message from Michele Reyman, Cafeteria Manager

Lighthouses shine their light into the darkness guiding weary and lost travelers to safety. They weather the storms, and as the wind and waves batter against them they stay solidly fixed on the rock. As we stay fixed on the rock we can weather the storms and shine our light to lead others to the safety of Jesus arms. " For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of the darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." ( Corinthians 4:6 ) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven." ( Matthew 5:16 "

Message from Karla Mungillo, Elementary Teacher

I heard this song a few weeks ago on the radio and it has now become my "theme" song.  The words are simple yet profound.  They sum up the attutude of every heart of a Christian.  I know at times we all fail but that doesn’t mean we give up.  Take the time to read the lyrics and see if these words don’t say what you think every time you come to work.

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

(Chorus)
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

Chorus

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
(I want to live like that)
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

Chorus

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Message from Jennifer Pellish, High School Teacher

Worship and the Expression of Guilt (from Today in the Word)

Leviticus 5:1 “If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin.

Although federal prosecutors had taped conversations that clearly implicated Rod Blagojevich, former governor of Illinois, in federal crimes, he continued to publicly deny his guilt: "I don’t believe there’s any cloud that hangs over me. I think there’s nothing but sunshine hanging over me."

Sin has a track record of self-deception. We can be made to feel guilty when we’ve done nothing wrong or believe ourselves innocent when we’re guilty. Feelings are no fail-safe guide for exposing sin; the Bible is our only reliable authority when it comes to probing our inner motivations and arbitrating our actions.

Leviticus offers a thorough look at what is and isn’t sin. In our passage today, we see that sin isn’t only a descriptor for the evil things we’ve done intentionally. Sin can also include unintentional acts. Guilt or innocence is not weighed on the scales of motivation. To mean to do right while inadvertently doing wrong is still sin. Sin is the transgression, or betrayal, of God’s holy standards, whether we’re conscious of those standards or not.

We betray God’s law not only by doing bad things (sins of commission) but also by neglecting to do good things (sins of omission). In Leviticus 5, we see someone who refused to publicly testify about a situation which he witnessed. He was guilty because of what he failed to do.

Because sin wields such power of self-deception, it is our inclination to justify ourselves before God. We make excuses for why our sin isn’t really that bad. But all of our well-reasoned arguments don’t exonerate us. The good news is that God is always providing a means for atonement. It’s His gracious desire to forgive and reconcile people to Himself.

Apply the Word

We need the light of Scripture to shine in our hearts even as we ask, "Search me, God, and know my heart; . . . See if there is any offensive way in me" (Psalm 139:23–24). Make this your prayer every evening when you lie down or every morning when you wake up. Accept any conviction from the Holy Spirit, and then accept His forgiveness when you confess.

Message from Kristin Ornoski, Development Office

Go All The Way Through

~Joyce Meyers~

God wants us to be diligent and go all the way through with Him, not just go until the way becomes difficult, and then stop there.  One of our greatest challenges is to face our mountains rather than trying to go around them.

Sometimes we go around and around the same mountain, and we end up like the Israelites in the wilderness who wandered around for forty years (Deuteronomy 2:1-3).  We must learn to face our mountains and determine to go all the way through with God.  That is the only path to victory.

I encourage you to go all the way through with God no matter how difficult it may seem.  Let God have His way in your life.  Pray for God’s will and not your own will.  God’s way is for you to set your face like a flint, dig in both heels, and go all the way through.

Determine to enjoy the journey.  Enjoying life is an attitude of the heart, a decision to enjoy everything because everything -even little, seemingly insignificant things- has a part in God’s plan for our lives.

As we believe that it is God’s will for us to experience continual joy, we will discover a power that lifts us above life’s circumstances.

Thank you Joyce for that reminder!

Have a Blessed and Fantastic Cinco de Mayo weekend.  

Message from Judy Nunez, Admin. Assistant Elementary Campus

Cutting A Trail… Proverbs 4:1-7

            Taken from Our Daily Bread

The Native Americans of Michigan were the state’s first highway route engineers.  With few exceptions, Michigan’s major highways follow the trails they cut through the wilderness hundreds of years before the white man came.  A trail was 12-18 inches wide, and for safety the people followed single file.  Then pack horses followed these trails, widening them.  Later came wagons, and the trails became dirt roads and then highways.

            In a similar way, Solomon followed the trail of his father and in turn paved the way for his sons and grandsons.  He did this by encouraging his sons to heed his instructions just as he had followed the sound teaching of his father (Prov. 4:4-5).  So this father, giving his sons good practical and spiritual counsel, was passing on what he had learned from the boy’s grandfather, David, who was called a “man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22).  The younger generation of believers often learns best about God from the family.

            Our physical and spiritual children watch the path we’re taking.  As God’s men and women, let’s make certain we cut a righteous, wise, and clear trail.  Then if ongoing generations choose to follow, the trail can become a highway---an ongoing legacy to God’s glory. ---Dave Egner

Lord, as I walk my path of life,

Help my feet step straight and true;

That those who follow after me,

Will be tracking straight with You. ---Egner

 

Thank you to all the teachers at Phoenix Christian who are blazing a trail for those students who would follow.

Message from Margarita Llanes, Spanish Teacher

It seems like in the last couple of weeks I had found myself praying extra hard for the problem of how to handle a teen’s occasional sarcasm- or, as what I call, “back talk.” It was during one morning reading Becky Freeman, that the Lord gave me the following sweet poem from her friend Faye Yates. I hope the words will remind you today that we are created to be loved and to love. Not to love only the smart, fast and beautiful. Simply put we need to love others at home or at school just because they belong to God’s family. Enjoy!!

 
Just Because You’re You

 They say some babies born will only be
 A heavy burden to a family
 Because they’ll never act the proper way,
 So find a place for them to stay…
 But a mother looks through tear filled eyes
 And begins to sing this lullaby…
  “I don’t love you, for what you can, or cannot do
     I love you, just because you’re you
  Though many others may question your worth
  I’ll treasure you, more than all the earth.”
And when we see our soul so scared with sin
We are surprised to find God takes us in
For all we have to give Him is our shame
And though we fail the Lord, we hear Him say,
  “Though I look at you through tear filled eyes,
       I still sing to you this lullaby,
  “I don’t love you, for what you can or cannot do
      I love you, just because you’re you,  Though sometimes, you may question your own worth,
    I’ll love you, more than all the earth.”

Message from Lois Leader, High School Teacher

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof."

Psalms 24:1

In honor of Earth Day on this past Sunday (April 22), I dedicate my blog entry to God’s creation.

One of the most profound duties God gives us is stewardship over His creation. Scripture tells us how much He loves this work of His hands. After every act of creation He blessed it and declared that it was good. Reading the first chapter of Genesis it is obvious that God takes delight in every aspect of the world He created. Yet He trusted us to be caretakers of His great work of art.

The creation teaches us about the attributes of God:

Psalms 104:24. How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small.

It shows His infinite compassion:

Matt 6:26. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. And are you not worth much more than they?

God has established a relationship with us and with our environment:

Genesis 9:8-9. Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "I now establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you - the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you - every living Creature on the earth."

God pays attention to the way we fulfill our role as stewards:

Jer. 2:7. I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and you made my inheritance detestable.

Luke 16:2,10,13. And He called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward. He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous in much. You cannot serve both God and mammon.

Although Earth Day was not established as a Christian observance, I think it is a good opportunity to remind ourselves of the trust that God put in us when He gave us dominion over His creation. How we fulfill that trust is an indicator of the respect we hold for the Creator.

Message from Monique Lara, Preschool Teacher

Proverbs 1:33

But all who listen to me will live in peace,
Untroubled by fear of harm.”

I read this poem to my sister on Sunday, she was finding her self lost and stuck in her own misery. I pray for her everyday, for the Lord to give her strength even if she does not choose to seek him. When I brought this to her attention the expression on her face seemed somewhat confused yet she felt as if relief has took the stress away. I told her to hear Him, sit and pray as hard as you can and open your door to Him. The Lord is always here to take away the pain and sorrow you are in, you just got to believe and let him in. His wonders can do much more then you can imagine. She understood why I put much faith in Him; He has helped me in everything I have been through. I am far from perfect but I do believe the Good Lord is with us through anything and I feel if I can pay it forward through prayer or words of The Lord, I’ve done my part because I am and we all are Gods children. He is part of my family and family is very important to me.

Message from Janice Koivisto, Junior High Teacher

At 8th Grade Camp last week, I was blessed to lead Chapel services each evening for our 41 junior high students…. One evening I challenged them to learn more of who God is by learning some of His Old Testament names… He reveals His character and his attributes through His interactions and His relationships with us…. A few of the names of God that rang clearly in the hearts and lives of the kids were…..
Yahweh- I Am
El Shaddai- The Covenant God, The Promise Keeper
Jehovah Jireh- The God Who Provides
Jehovah Tsidqenu- The Righteous One Jehovah Shalom- The God of Peace
Jehovah Repheka- The God Who Heals
Jehovah Nissi- God is My Banner
Jehovah Shamah- The God Who is Already There
Jehovah Tsebaoath- The God of the Armies of Heaven
Jehovah Elohim- The Three In One
Jehovah Elyon- The Lord Over All

Call upon Him by His names!

He WANTS us to know Him and call on Him! Blessings! Janice Koivisto

Message from Gretchen Janes, Development Office

As the days fly by, I am realizing that I must be intentional in just about everything I do. This devotional helps me to sort through stuff and establish priorities. Heaven knows there's a lot of stuff going right now! I pray that your motives are pure and your priorities are aligned with God's and that this helps you to sort through your stuff!

What's Your Motive?
by Charles R. Swindoll
Read Philippians 1:17; James 4:3
During my days in seminary, I formed a habit that helped me immensely throughout life. I had my artistic sister, Luci, print a simple, three-word question on a small rectangular card I placed on the wall above the desk where I spent so much of my time.

Just black letters on a white card, with a bold question mark at the end:

WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVE?

I no longer have the card, but the question is now indelibly etched on my mind. I ask it almost every day of my life. It has proven to be an essential checkpoint I now apply on a regular basis:

Why are you planning this?
What's the reason behind your doing that?
Why did you say yes (or no)?
What is the motive for writing that letter?
Why are you excited over this opportunity?
What causes you to bring up that subject?
Why did you mention his or her name?
What's your motive, Swindoll?

Searching, probing, penetrating questions.
Because the path of servanthood is so perilous, we need to cultivate a sensitive walk with God marked by obedience.


Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1981), 157--58. Copyright © 1981 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.