"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” Matthew 2:10

What excites you most about Christmas? There are many things to get excited about. Things like gifts (both giving and receiving), events (programs, plays, musicals, etc.), traditions, gatherings with family and friends, and even food (cookies, chocolate, peppermint mocha’s, Frango’s, and lutefisk, well maybe not lutefisk). And so, I am curious, when was the last time you were truly excited about Christmas… and why?

In the gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, one can read about the wise men from the east searching for the King of the Jews. They were excited just by seeing the star (His star). I wonder what they expected. Here we have a team of scientists (for their day that is what they were) setting out on what most likely was a long dangerous journey across the wide face of the known world. They must have expected to find something extraordinary. Who was this child? What made him special?

Paul in his letter to the Christians at Colosse summarizes who this child was and is when he writes beginning in chapter 1 verse 15 through verse 22 about Christ. “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”

What an amazing find! Matthew’s account tells us that the star led the wise men to the place where the child was and upon entering the house after seeing the child and his mother, they bowed and worshiped him. What a truly awesome Christmas! This Christmas I hope you can look past all of the things that have become associated with Christmas and find the true reason to be excited!

Thanks for reading - Merry Christmas!

"Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us...to guide us to the path of peace." Luke 1:78-79

Do you have the Christmas spirit? Every year most of us feel pressure as we enter this season. Traffic is terrible. Finding a parking space close to where you are going is likened to a miracle. The stores are all crowded. There is so much to think about and do: gifts to buy, friends to see, family to visit and care for, programs to attend, parties, budgets, baking, cards, etc.. The list goes on and on, and just writing about it feels exhausting.

As we race through stores and drive in our cars a familiar song plays in the background, “Hark the herald Angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.” We might even be humming along as it continues… “Peace on earth and mercy mild…” Peace, you might muse, what a thought. How great it would be to have peace. “If only I had a moment’s peace.” Have you heard someone say this statement (have you said it yourself)? Yet, is it peace we are after, or are we really longing for an absence of conflict? Are we really seeking to exercise what peace is really about, or do we just want people to stop fighting, and leave us alone? One has to finish the rest of the song to know what peace the songwriter is talking about, “… God and sinner reconciled.” The only One who can give true peace is God, and the peace he offers is so different from the world’s idea of peace. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

So often, the peace of the world is really just truce. Truce is a temporary absence of conflict (I have also heard that it is the time when people are re-loading). There is no reconciliation just an agreement to stop the fighting for now all the while allowing the real problem to fester and boil over inside. Peace on the other hand, is the interjection of righteousness into a situation in order to bring about reconciliation. This often causes chaos because people want their way and do not want to consider that they are a part of the problem. Peace involves humility and the realization that I may have to give up my perceived rights, and exercise my responsibilities. When we allow the King of Peace to rule in our hearts and make His desires ours, then we will experience true and lasting peace. The peace that was promised and given through the baby in the manger.

I really like the way Jack Hayford says it, “Wrapped up in Christmas is the greatest gift ever given. Packaged in the Person of Jesus is every gift we will ever need to fulfill every longing we may ever have.” This good news remains untainted by anything that this world offers, and has brought the greatest change (peace) in the hearts of people everywhere who have received it. May your Christmas be filled with His presence and all that comes from knowing Him.

Thanks for reading.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 (NIV)

Where were you when it started to snow last Saturday? I found myself on a ladder climbing onto my roof to hang Christmas lights. I was somewhat caught off guard just how quickly a couple of snowflakes can become a blizzard of heavy wet snow. Being a die-hard Christmas light fan I kept working. However, I soon had to stop as my boys took turns pelting me with snowballs. There may be three of them, and they may be younger, but my aim is still good! We soon were in the thrill and fun of trying to hit each other with the slippery white stuff. Soaking wet and tired we went in to the house for something hot to drink. It was great fun!

The season of Advent can be a wonderful time. In the gospel of Luke chapter 2, one can read about one of the first air shows and outdoor musical events on record. This amazing event was complete with shepherds, sheep, angels, and fabulous, fantastic, great news! Which brings me back to why I was on the roof in the first place, I do not know about you, but I really enjoy Christmas lights. My philosophy about lights is similar to my philosophy about power tools—one can never have too many! In fact, the best gift (in my opinion) to give a person is a cordless drill. It really does not matter if they already have one—they can always use a backup.
You might be wondering, “What do Christmas lights have to do with the Christmas story?” Well, when I decorate our home with lights, etc., I am not one who is surrendering to Christmas commercialism. Rather, I am devoting the time as an act of worship. God commissioned angels to roll back the night filling it with blazing light and He provided a celestial choir to serenade a few startled shepherds (not a group from the highest of social networks). On top of that, He then graced the heavens with a magnificent star. If He went to all this trouble to open our eyes to His entry into the world, then we need not apologize for adorning our home with a few seasonal reminders.

This time is about Him, so give Him glory as you decorate your home, and celebrate the season. I pray that your homes and lives be filled with joy, peace, love, and generosity this Christmas!

Thanks for reading.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” St. Francis of Assisi

Well, it is that time of year again… the season of giving and getting. What will I give? What will I get? Which is your favorite… the giving or the getting? Come on be honest. I can tell that the adult side of you is saying, “Well to give is better than to receive,” all the while deep down inside, you might really prefer getting. Moreover, why not, most of the time getting is fun (especially if it is power tools)! The only problem is that sometimes what someone is “giving” is not something that you wish for or want.

What do you do when someone gives you something undesirable? Bad attitudes, a hurtful look, a snide comment, a push, a shove, maybe even a whack on the side of the head. How do you deal with these kinds of gifts? Do you ignore them? Do you push back? Sometimes when what you receive from someone else is grief or trouble, it is hard to believe the promise given in Romans 8:28. The main problem is that often many view the Christian life as a life free from all adversity. However, a better understanding would be that a Christian is delivered in the midst of adversity, which is something very different. Psalms 91: 9-10 (NLT) states, If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.” It does not say that you will not experience evil. On the contrary, If you are breathing, you will certainly encounter troubles, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. He says, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b) (NLT). Jesus is the one who has overcome and he is saying, “There is nothing for you (or I) to fear.” I like the way Oswald Chambers puts it, “God does not give us overcoming life—He gives us life as we overcome.” It is through the strain of life that a person is able to build his/her strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. You might say that if you never used your muscles they would probably all be jell-o. Using your muscles tones and firms them, and as a result, you are stronger.

So what are you asking for this year? Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. Once you face the strain, He will sustain you with strength (Philippians 4:13). Overcome your own fear and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment—“To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7b) (NLT). God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Seek Him and He will provide all that you need in your moment of struggle.

Thanks for reading.

“One today is worth two tomorrows; what I am to be, I am now becoming.” - Ben Franklin

Ever wished you had more time? More time to rest… to play… to get your work done? Maybe more time to study… to spend with family and friends… or just have more time to do whatever? This past week as teachers and parents spent time; together I had time to do some things that I previously had not been able to accomplish. It has been a great week to clear my to do lists (I love making check marks!), and it has been a great time to spend some time thinking and reflecting.

Thanksgiving is a time when many spend time reflecting upon things for which they are thankful. Usually these include family, friends, employment, and other provisions of life. Yet, it is so easy in this gadget-filled world in which we live to become over committed and or even confused about our time priorities. I believe that time is more valuable than money, because time is irreplaceable. Money can always be earned again, but time once used or misused can never be regained. John Maxwell states that the whole idea of “Time Management” is to him an oxymoron. I agree. No one can manage time so well that by the end of the day he or she had squeezed a few extra minutes more into it than anyone else had. Instead of “Time Management,” we should consider that it is more about “Priority Management.” Time gives equal opportunity to everyone. Since time is such a valuable commodity, you would think we would use it more wisely.

In Hebrews 11:8, Abraham is described as a man who “…went out, not knowing where he was going.” It is not that Abraham did not know what he was doing or that he had time to waste. He was a man who placed a high priority on his relationship with God, and that is what gave him direction and purpose. The time he spent with God allowed him the ability to trust in God even when according to human reasoning he might be considered crazy for doing what he believed God told him.

Since time is valuable, and could be considered one of the most precious gifts you give, knowing what you value will help you in how you use your time. Time is not in short supply. A person cannot hope to find more of it like you would a $20 bill lying in the street. Time is about setting your priorities on what you value. Living a life of faith may mean not knowing where you are being led, but more about loving and knowing the One who is leading. I pray that the time you spend with friends and loved ones this Thanksgiving will be rich and rewarding, and I pray that you will spend time with the One to whom we owe everything! God bless.

Thanks for reading!

“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing.” Rollo May—Teacher, Author and Psychologist

This week I thought I would review some information about “Hints to having a successful Parent/Teacher Conference.” I hope you find the information helpful.

In order to help your kids have a successful school year, you need to know what is expected of them, academically, from now until June. You can find out by asking some questions. Take this list with you to your next parent-teacher conference. And don't forget to take notes.

1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year?
2. How will my child be evaluated?
3. What can I do to stay more involved in my child's academic progress?
4. How do you accommodate differences in learning?
5. How are students prepared for learning?

Other good ideas prior to a conference with your child's teacher:
-Prepare ahead of time for the conference.
-Look over recent assignments and test grades so that you know how your child has been performing in class.
-Look through books and see what your child is learning.
-Ask your child questions, such as what is their favorite subject, what are they having a difficult time with, what subject do they find easiest, and who are their friends at school.
-Write down questions you have for the teacher so you will remember what you wanted to ask.
-List your child's strengths.
-Be on time for the conference, most are tightly scheduled. Being even 5 minutes late will substantially cut down on the time you have with the teacher.
-Be open to suggestions from the teacher.
-Ask what you can do at home to help your child be more prepared for school.
-Offer suggestions and insights into your child. You know your child best and you may be able to offer information that will help the teacher help them to succeed.
-Ask about social interactions as well as academic. Children struggling with friendships can suffer from low self-esteem, which can cause additional problems in school.
-If you find your child is struggling in school, ask to re-conference in a couple of weeks. This way the teacher will be able to spend more than 20 minutes with you and you can both work together to develop a plan to help your child succeed.
- No matter how many suggestions, Conferences can be stressful for both you and your child. Before attending the conference, be sure to let your children know how much you love them and that you will love them no matter what is shared. Let them know that conferences are not for the teachers to "tattle" on children, but for parents and teachers to work together to best help them succeed.

Thanks for reading!

The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character...

“The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening.” Oswald Chambers

The end of first quarter is this Friday. It is the culmination of many small things, and some not so small. Some are looking forward to receiving their quarter report cards; others are not so interested.

Have you ever felt that it was a hassle to do something? Faced with duties below your position or that make you feel like you are wasting your time? On the other hand, maybe it appears that in tackling the small things the result will have a seemingly small impact or appear to have little purpose. There are times when I feel that some things do not make a difference. Usually these are things which exert influence on future events, and I have failed to comprehend the magnitude of their influence.

Recently, while visiting my dentist this reality hit home. As a child, I neglected to take care of my teeth, a seemingly small thing to me as a child. As a result, I had some cavities and therefore received some fillings. Now as an adult, I am dealing with the problem of fillings that go bad. I have one tooth in particular that has a rather large filling in it, and yes, this filling has gone bad. Now I have to have a crown. Bummer! This all could have been avoided if I had only done a small thing as a child—flossed my teeth.

Missed opportunity is one of those merciless and gnawing events. It eats at you causing sleeplessness, loss of appetite (or the opposite), depression, anger—or whatever else you can think of. You name it. I was reading the other day about a man in the Bible who did a simple thing, which had a major impact upon his life. His name was Enoch, and in Genesis 5:21-23, you can read about him. What an amazing person! All we know about him is that he “walked with God,” and one day he disappeared. The Bible tells us that God took Him.

Oswald Chambers once said, “A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight.” Enoch did a simple thing well; he walked with God. Because he was focused on the right thing at the right time, it meant that he did not have to die. I wonder what would happen if each of us took the small things more seriously. How would the lives of those around us be influenced or even changed? 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it” (TMSG).

Since second quarter begins Tuesday, our students will have the opportunity to try doing the small things differently. I hope that some will understand better the importance of small things. I hope you will consider the small things that you are being asked to do, and consider doing them well. You never know what will happen.

Thanks for reading!

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Suppose you came to visit me one day and found me working in my garden. I explain to you that the garden is a gift from my father. I then ask you to join me as I collect some seeds to plant. You have always thought I was a bit crazy, but what I do next removes all doubt. You watch me walk into a field and begin to gather seeds from weeds. Crab grass seeds, dandelion seeds, chickweed seeds, and others. I fill the bag with a variety of “weed” seeds and return to the garden. You cannot believe what you have seen and say, “I thought you wanted a garden full of flowers and fruit.” I reply, “I do.” You say, “Then why not plant the right seeds?” My response, “Do you know how much those seeds cost? Moreover, it is such a long ways to drive all the way to the garden center to get the good seeds. No thanks, I just do not have the time. Besides, this is good ground and I think these seeds will produce something different from weeds.” You walk away muttering something about a one French fry short of a Happy Meal.

It does not take a genius farmer to understand that you can only harvest what you sow; you can only reap what you plant. Funny, what we have come to believe and know about developing land, we tend to forget when it comes to hearts.

The hearts of our children are fertile gardens ready to provide a crop from whatever seeds we plant. The planting of seeds happens in many ways. One of the ways that is most often overlooked, but seems to be the one that teaches the best is modeling. We all learn from models, examples of how to do it. When engineers design a prototype, they then make a model to see if it works. People use models every day to understand and explain the world around us. Most times, we forget that others are watching. It is only when we hear a voice that sounds familiar (at least it should sound familiar because it sounds like our voice repeating something that we have said), and or witness a person’s reaction to an event that we realize that we have taught this behavior.

Jesus, when teaching His disciples said to them, “Come, follow me…” meaning don’t just trail after me, but do what I do, be what I am, become like me. He showed them how to love people regardless of their cultural background, occupation, or tarnished lifestyle. He gave them an example of a suffering servant. We would do well to remember that there are eyes watching what we say, and what we do. They are learning how to live, by watching the very example of living that we represent.

How are you doing at cultivating your heart? Whom are you following? What have you done to cultivate the hearts of those around you? It is not about trying to be perfect. It is about realizing that what you do and say lives beyond the now, and knowing that if you point to truth the path will be clear for those who follow.

Thanks for reading!

“May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (MSG)

How is your sense of direction? Not that long ago my wife and I were preparing to go to a birthday party over on the Eastside. I had been experiencing computer trouble that day and had sufficiently messed up our internet connection, and so found myself wondering how I was going to find the location of the birthday party since I could not “MapQuest” the location. Right then my brother-in-law called and asked if we had left yet. They were planning on attending the same party. I told him no, and that I needed help locating where the party was to be held. He gave me directions from his house. I wrote them down quickly, but then thought, this really will not help because we are not leaving from his house. At any rate, we hopped into the car and off we went. It was not until we were on I-520 that I realized it. In my rush to get ready I had left the directions sitting on the desk at home. Now we were already several miles from our home and 15 minutes late for the party. All we had was the invitation, prayer, and my memory…well two out of three is not too bad. As it turned out, after driving around for a while we were able to locate the party and ended up only being about 30 minutes late. It sure would have been easier with a map, but in the end we made it.

Life is tough enough as it is. It is even tougher when we do not know which way to go, or if we start heading the wrong direction, or spend a lot of time going in circles trying to find our destination. One of the things I admire most about Jesus was his ability to stay on target. His life never got off track. Not once do you find him wandering around looking at a map, scratching his head, or lost. He had no money, no computer, no administrative assistant, or staff; yet Jesus did what many of us fail to do. He kept his life on course.

Staying on track can be difficult especially when it is so easy to be distracted. We can help ourselves by asking a few questions: 1) Am I fitting into God’s plan (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 5:20)? 2) What are my longings (Psalm 37:4; Ephesians 2:10)? 3) What are my abilities (Romans 12:3)? And, 4) Am I serving God now (Luke 2:49; Colossians 3:23)? Why not take a few minutes and evaluate your direction? The great thing is that if you need to make a course correction you can. Take the advice from 1 Peter 4:2, and start fresh today.

Thanks for reading!

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.” Romans 4:20

There used to be this show on television called “Dragnet.” Do you remember it? It was the story of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners. The show is considered by many to be the most famous and influential police procedural drama in American media history. Many are familiar with a line from Detective Joe Friday, whether they watched the show or not, that he used during the course of interviewing a suspect, “All we want are the facts, Ma’am.”

It is seems odd how sometimes “facts” keep you from “truth?” You might be scratching your head and wondering, “What is he talking about?” Let me try to explain.

Every week, I spend much of my time doing one of two things: one, removing “roadblocks” for my staff so that they can render the best in quality education and service to our students and families; and two, helping individuals and small groups resolve problems. Often, the problems are of an interpersonal nature. Problems always have multiple sides, and depending upon whom you talk with, problems are loaded with facts. Most times, especially when there is a high amount of emotion, the facts are relayed in a manner that most benefits a persons’ personal position. “He said….she said,” are only snippets of the stories that are told. Frequently, when a person is intent upon sharing a multitude of facts the reason is not to make sure truth is known, but to provide proof or justification for action (or lack thereof).

Sometimes facts can cloud or compromise faith. The Bible has many examples of times when people had the facts but missed the truth. Take for example Abraham and Sarah. Some of the facts were they were both very old (especially for starting a family), and up to this point in their lives they were unable to conceive a child. The truth of the matter was that God had a plan that went beyond the facts they could see and understand. Another example is that of Zacchaeus. The facts: excommunicated by the church because of his vocation (a cheat, considered a low-life, a sinner). The truth: Jesus saw someone who needed healing in his life. As a result, Zacchaeus receives salvation and then blesses the community and those from which he had stolen.

...Facts...Truth...Faith...

How do you view the facts in your life? How are you at seeing the truth in the midst of those facts? Are there facts holding you back, causing you to doubt the promises of God? What truth has become elusive because of the facts? I am sure if you could speak with Abraham, Sarah, or Zacchaeus they could tell you about the truth that was opened up for them despite the facts.

Thanks for reading!

Helen Keller once said that when she was young, she had longed to do great things and could not, so she decided to do small things in a great way.

Earlier this week I was amazed at the spiritual depth of Oswald Chambers while listening to one of our teachers read from his book, “My Utmost for His Highest.” If you have never read this timeless classic, I would encourage you to find a copy and begin to do so. Oswald begins the devotion for October 8 with the thought, “Isn’t it humiliating to be told that we must come to Jesus!” Within this short discourse, he writes about our unwillingness towards coming to Christ in every matter. Can you identify with what he is describing? He further states, that a person would rather argue, evade issues, and or even go through sorrow rather than come. There have been times in my life when, because of pride, that I have chosen not to go to Christ. Sometimes I believe that I can work things out myself, and sometimes I am foolish enough to believe that I am strong enough, and sometimes I just want God to do something big when all He wants me to do is something simple.

Have you ever felt “pushed” in this way?

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What a great promise from Jesus.

Jesus gives a simple and sure way to solve the problems we face. All we have to do is call upon Him, and He will then give us rest. It is interesting to note that the rest that Christ speaks of here is not a rest from work, but a rest found in work. Not the rest from inactivity but of the harmonious working of all of our available resources and affections—of will, heart, imagination, conscience, intelligence—because each has found in God the ideal sphere for its satisfaction and development.

Several people have been having fun with the “Staples—Easy button.” There is an “easy button” available to us at all times. All we have to do is go to Christ and He will give us rest. In Him is everything we need to do and complete whatever lies before us. Yet, that is not all, there is more, after receiving rest from Him for the present; He wants to show us how things could go better for us in the future. If we choose to learn from Him, He promises that we will find rest in the future as well. He loves us enough to take care of the present need and to provide a solution for our future; I find that to be so awesome! Therefore, when you are feeling pushed, out of gas, at the end of your rope, as if nothing is going right, take my advice and go to the One who can make the difference—Jesus Christ!

Thanks for reading!

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” R. McCloskey

The message was easily read, but not one that we wanted to be seen. It happened sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning. It did not really matter; all we knew was that we needed to do something about it before the children arrived on Monday morning. It came off the doors and glass relatively easily, but the part on the bricks was much tougher. In the end, some tape and black plastic did the trick until we could find another solution.

In case you missed it, we were the victims of some vandalism this past weekend. It came in the form of graffiti. Unfortunately, it was not some misguided street artist, but someone expressing his or her rage. Whenever something like this happens, I always ask myself a few questions like: Why would someone choose to do this? What had happened to this person to cause them such pain? Is Fairview somehow linked to this person’s frustration? Is this a random event? Why do they sell spray paint cans to minors? When will this happen again? No body knows the answers, and it is sad when people become destructive.

Obviously, a message was being communicated, but it was completely one-sided. In the Gospels, Jesus uses words similar to, “he who has ears to hear should listen,” eight times. In one of His parables, Jesus compares our ears to soil. He told about a farmer who scattered seed (a symbol of the Word) in four different types of ground (a symbol of our ears). Some of our ears are like hard road—unreceptive to the seed. Others have ears like rocky soil – we hear the Word but do not allow it to take root. Still others have ears similar to something of a weed patch—too overgrown, too thorny, with too much competition for the seed to have a chance. Then, there are some who have ears like good soil. This soil is fertile, discriminate, and ready to hear God’s voice. In all four cases, the seed and the farmer are the same. The only difference is the person listening. The sad part to me is that if the ratio in the story is significant, three-fourths of the world is not listening to God’s voice. Whether the cause is hard hearts, shallow lives, or anxious minds, 75 percent of us are missing the message. It is not that we do not have ears; it is that we do not use them.

So, I hope the person who shared their rage with us gets some help. We may never know who this person is or if they ever will receive healing. One thing I do know, of all the messages, and of all the persons trying to communicate with me, the one I want to do my very best to hear is God. I know that if I listen to Him (because I trust in His character) that everything else will work out. How long has it been since you had your hearing checked? When God throws seed your way, what is the result?

Thanks for reading!

“Gather. Unite. Pray. Come Together.”

It's tough being a student today, especially a Christian student. Students are faced with so many choices and they are not always sure which direction to take, and so today, we gathered at the Fairview flagpole to pray.

Prayer is an awesome thing! Not necessarily because of what it does for us, but because of what it does in and through us. As we bow our hearts, minds, and body to the King of the universe something happens inside. If we try to participate without bowing, nothing happens. It is in the act of submitting to God, which starts the change, and so today, we gathered at the Fairview flagpole to pray.

One of the most challenging aspects of prayer is being able to love with sacrificial compassion those for whom we pray. One of the clearest examples of this is found in Exodus 32, where the Israelites have gotten into a difficult situation. God’s people once again have defied His command, have given up on Him and turned to idolatry. God is justifiably angry at the people, and plans to destroy them and says to Moses, “I will make you a great nation (Ex. 32:10).” What Moses does in the next verse is incredible to me. He seeks out the favor of God on behalf of the people. One commentator has translated the essence of v.11 to mean that Moses literally smoothed the wrinkles on God’s face. This is truly amazing, because I know that Moses was not always delighted to serve these people. They were always grumbling and giving him attitude about this and attitude about that. Have you ever experienced the kind of people I’m talking about. Yet somehow, Moses is able to look past the grief of all they have said and done, and see that God has planned to bless all nations through this people. So he prays, and pleads with God to turn His wrath away from the Israelites. His prayer is efficacious and the Lord relents from causing harm to His people.

Everyday students draw lines around whom they will let in and who they will lock out. There are lines because of grade level, lines about academic performance (overachievers, underachievers, geniuses, and slackers), lines about the groups, etc. The lines are invisible, but we see them clearly every day. Many are asking, "Where do I belong? Who cares about me? Why don't I fit in? Why is it that some people so mean? How can things ever be different?" So today, we gathered at the Fairview flagpole to pray. See You at the Pole™ wasn’t about groups, grades, clothes, or churches. It was about praying. It was about all of us coming together and laying aside all the labels to call upon God, just as Jesus did in John 17 and say, "Lord, may we be one in you and may the world believe that You are real and have sent us to touch others through you."

Have you prayed today?

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“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony;In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein

Have you ever found yourself in the middle? In the middle of a long line, awake in the middle of the night, in the middle between older and younger siblings, in the middle of a disagreement, or in the middle of a half gallon of ice cream and questioning whether you should eat the rest?

One time when my family and I were traveling to visit my parents in Eastern Washington, we were stuck in the middle. It was a hot August afternoon when we left Seattle. We had no problem making it down I-5 to I-90. Once on I-90 everything seemed to be going along just fine until around mile marker 47. The time was 3p, and we were not moving. Did I mention that it was hot? Did I mention that we were not moving and that we have three children? I remember looking over to my right and seeing this station wagon loaded (or should I say overloaded) with teenagers (and all their stuff) on their way to the “Creationfest” at the Gorge. This one poor kid had a pillow, sleeping bag, and a duffle bag all on his lap, and he was in the middle. Did I mention that it was hot? He looked like he was going to scream or pass out or maybe both. A little while later, I saw him walking, moving faster than the cars that waited in line. He had solved his problem. At one point, around 2 hours into our wait, I started to postulate solutions to our problem. I began to fantasize about driving our mini-van over the concrete median and heading home. Seriously wondering, how much damage could be done? Would the car still be drivable? Maybe I could just buff out the scratches. I mean really, it would just be a little elbow grease on my part right? Finally, after creeping along for 3 hours and reaching mile marker 54, we were set free from the traffic jam. It was over and we were sailing our way into the night. A simple 3-hour trip became a long and hot 7-hour one.

Have you ever found yourself in the middle? When I think about Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah in Genesis 22, I think of a man who was in the middle. On one side, was the God he believed in, loved, and served. On the other was his one and only son for whom he had waited his whole life. A man caught in the middle. Of course, you know the story. Abraham had a choice to make. In the end, it was his faith and trust in God that out weighed his fear and frustration. I hope the next time you find yourself in the middle you will remember Abraham and in so doing you will find the courage to choose wisely.

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“You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him.” A.W. Tozer

Listen and obey. It was a simple request. Listen and obey. After all, it was in my best interest. All I had to do was listen and obey. To most, it would have seemed obvious, but I was six years old and at six, curiosities cancel the obvious.

So, here is what happened. My dad had a coat rack that kept falling over because the bottom was not heavy enough to stand when a heavy coat was hung on it. He decided that the best solution was to melt some lead and fill the hollow rack with it. We were in the garage. He told me that the rack was hot and that I was not to touch it. I believed him. I could see him melting and pouring the lead into the rack, and so I went out into our yard to see what I could find that seemed interesting. It might have only been 15 minutes, maybe a half an hour, before I came back to the garage where my dad was working. He had his back to the coat rack, and I wondered…is it still hot? Dad told me not to touch it, but that seemed like so long ago. I wondered and watched, with one eye on my dad’s back and one eye on the coat rack. I then made the decision. I reached out with both hands and grabbed the rack. Yes, I used both hands, not just the tip of a finger, but both hands. The heat that radiated from the rack was so great that it caused my hands to stick. I very quietly and quickly peeled my hands from the rack. My hands were red and felt as if I had touched fire. I quickly went inside our house and straight to the bathroom. I thought maybe I could wash the pain away. I turned on the water and then grabbed the soap. The cool water felt good on my burning hands. After a couple of minutes, I stopped washing and tried to dry my hands. It was at that point that I realized that my hands were still burning. I let out a cry for help and soon my mom, once she had enough of the story out of me, had my hands cooling in a bucket of ice water. I was very fortunate. My hands did not blister nor do I have any physical scars from the event. If only I would have just listened and obeyed.

In Genesis 22, Abraham was asked by God to do the unthinkable. Yet, he chose to listen and obey all the while trusting that God had his best interests in mind. Every day we make choices. Abraham is the example of a person who practiced living a life that pleases God. May you find the joy and strength that comes from listening and obeying God, for He truly has your best interests in mind.

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“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” Genesis 22:14a

Our theme this year, “Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord our Provider,” is taken from the Bible passage found in Genesis 22. It is sometimes translated, “The Lord will see it,” or “The Lord will provide,” or “The Lord will be seen.” I think that C. H. Spurgeon may have summarized it best in the following statement, “Our heavenly Father sees our need, and with divine foresight of love prepares the supply.”

The biblical story is most likely familiar to you. It tells of how God tested Abraham by asking him to take his son, his only son, whom he loved, and go to a mountain and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. What an amazing test of faith, and what a man of faith! The writer of the book of Hebrews states that Abraham had reasoned that God could raise the dead (Hebrews 11:19). This makes sense for how else could he reconcile the fact that God had made a promise to him regarding Isaac. God had never let him down and had always taken care of his situation no matter how difficult he himself had made it.

Have you ever thought about what Abraham must have felt during this ordeal? As a father, I can only imagine what he might have thought and felt. However, things are rarely seen as they truly are. Something I heard John Maxwell say recently was that “People don’t see things as they really are (the things, events, etc.), they see things as they are (in their person).” What an incredible statement. People have this problem of thinking that they see things objectively when in reality they see things through many different biases.

So what do you think God is asking of you this coming year? Is there some area in your life that He may be testing you? Some have a problem with thinking that God may be testing each of us. The Word tells us that God tested Abraham (Genesis 22:1), and it states that He never tempts us (James 1:13). It may sound like a fine line, but schoolteachers do not give tests to their students attempting to trick them in any way. Rather, the test serve as tools to reflect how much the student has learned. It is an immensely satisfying feeling to be asked, “How did you do on the big test?” and respond, “I aced it!” I believe that God always wants the best for us, and that He does not want us to be ruled by fear, but by faith. I look forward to what He has in store for us individually and as a community in the coming school year.

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“When you see the Ark… you are to follow... Then you will know which way to go, for you have never been this way before. Joshua 3:3a,4

“It’s just a pile of stones.” I can imagine that this is what some thought as they walked along the Jordan River. “Why would someone pile up twelve stones like this? Look how smooth they are. They must be from the river. How did someone get stones from the middle of the river?” In Joshua, chapters 3 and 4, we find the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. They had just completed a very long trek through the wilderness. Here we find them as they’re getting ready to embark on an incredible journey. Thus far in this journey they had been delivered from 400 years of slavery, endured harsh living conditions in the desert, enjoyed the abundance that only God can provide, witnessed the death of their greatest human leader, and watched as the unfaithful to God died while those who trusted in Him remained strong as if they had not aged a day.

If one were to look closely at the account, there are many things that could be said about the significance of the event in which the Israelites were about to participate. We could talk about the sheer mighty power of God as he held back the waters of the river while His people crossed over or the symbolism of following the Ark of the Covenant (the presence of God) and it leading the way to life. Perhaps, we could take hold of the assurance of God’s protection and guidance for those who are obedient to Him, or the power of creating a memory that stands as a legacy for those who come behind you. Each of these lessons (and more) are illustrated in this story and have value in our lives.

Eight years ago, I did something at the end of the school year for which I thought would have been one of those one time events. During the last chapel, I told the story of Joshua and the crossing of the Jordan. At the conclusion of the story, I produced a number of old red Fairview bricks, and invited each 8th grade student to take a brick and remember (like the Israelites when they looked upon the stones taken from the Jordan) what God had done for them. I also told the students that the brick would serve as a way to remember their time at Fairview. The 8th grade class at the time looked at me, and then graciously took a brick. I was left there thinking, “Well that went over like a lead balloon.”

Since that time, I have been delightfully surprised each year as 8th grade students come and ask me for a brick. Every year it’s the same. I always say to them, “Are you sure? Do you really want one?” They always look back at me with the mental remark of “duh!” of course I want one. I know of a few of those graduates who still have their bricks. They have them next to other trophies and awards that they have received over the years. Every day I’m thankful for the opportunities we have had to impact lives for God!

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