At church last night we were discussing Thanksgiving, as many were. During the service we filled in an acrostic for Thanksgiving. As I looked at the "A," the first thought in my mind was that I am thankful for an All-Knowing God. With the change and upheaval that we have encountered since summer, it is good to know that God knows what the future holds. I find great peace in knowing that He understands where we have been, where we are, and where we will to be. What does the future hold; I really do not know. What I do know is that I can completely trust my God to lead and guide in the way He deems best.
Also, I am indeed thankful for the family God has giving me. I am greatly blessed with a wonderful wife and great kids. My parents, in-laws, siblings, and siblings in-law are such blessing. I must express my gratitude for the entire family that God has blessed my with. He has been so good to me.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. May God bless you as richly as he has blessed me and my family.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A Great Week
Last week was absolutely fantastic. First, I had the wonderful privilege to attend a Student Leadership Conference with fourteen students from EBCA. The conference was held at High Point Camp. We had a great four days. There were about 110 students present. The speakers did a fantastic job of communicating Biblical truths about friendship and our responsibilities to be good, godly friends. One of my disappointments with my current status was that I was not going to be able to attend the SLC. God graciously granted me the opportunity and I am so thankful.
While I was at the conference, I received word that Becky had gotten a job. God had been very good to us, even in a time of such uncertainty. I am so grateful for those that have been used of God to assist the Walker family.
On Saturday, Justin was able to sing in a large choir at the PA capitol. The Keystone Christian Educational Association (KCEA) each year has a choir of student from across the state that gathers in the Harrisburg area for 2 1/2 days, ending with 2 concerts in the rotunda at the capitol. There were 160+ students in the choir. Each concert was right at one hour in length. The quality and sound was absolutely wonderful, especially since the choir was together as a group for such a short time.
And so we move on, all the while rejoicing at what God is doing. The blessings of God are bestowed new each day and they are wonderful to behold.
While I was at the conference, I received word that Becky had gotten a job. God had been very good to us, even in a time of such uncertainty. I am so grateful for those that have been used of God to assist the Walker family.
On Saturday, Justin was able to sing in a large choir at the PA capitol. The Keystone Christian Educational Association (KCEA) each year has a choir of student from across the state that gathers in the Harrisburg area for 2 1/2 days, ending with 2 concerts in the rotunda at the capitol. There were 160+ students in the choir. Each concert was right at one hour in length. The quality and sound was absolutely wonderful, especially since the choir was together as a group for such a short time.
And so we move on, all the while rejoicing at what God is doing. The blessings of God are bestowed new each day and they are wonderful to behold.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Another Attempt (at a Job)
Well, today marks another attempt to gain a second part-time job. There is a 10 a.m. interview; we shall see what God chooses to do. I would love to get the job, but I hope that it will allow me to still take the EBCA students to the Leadership Conference. If not, that is up to God. He knows what is best. We simply pray and then obey.
Christian Education Defined (pt.1)
I have decided that I want to take some time to reflect on Christian education, what it is, and why it is important. I may not complete this task in one post, nor complete it in consecutive posts. It is simply something that I feel like doing, so here goes.
As the discussion begins, I feel that a defining of the term "Christian education" is needed. This is not to say that my particular definition is the only possible definition, nor that it is the best stated definition. It is only to say that it is my definition. As a compound term, "Christian education" must be defined as both words and as a term. The full understanding of the term comes from an understanding of the words. For our discussion, I will begin with "education" and work toward the complete definition. The historical definition of education has been "the act of acquiring knowledge." Simply put, that means that we are educating every time we open our mouths to speak and every time we model a behavior. Education is the act of communicating knowledge or behavior to another person. In the formal sense, that act takes place in a school setting. However, it must be noted that most education takes place outside of the classroom. We educate when we mention, when we mentor, and when we model. The best method of education is the combination of all three. Defining education is not truly difficult; what is difficult is limiting the definition so that it is meaningful. Soon we will look at the "Christian" part of Christian education, then we will join the two parts of the term to come to a working definition of Christian Education.
As the discussion begins, I feel that a defining of the term "Christian education" is needed. This is not to say that my particular definition is the only possible definition, nor that it is the best stated definition. It is only to say that it is my definition. As a compound term, "Christian education" must be defined as both words and as a term. The full understanding of the term comes from an understanding of the words. For our discussion, I will begin with "education" and work toward the complete definition. The historical definition of education has been "the act of acquiring knowledge." Simply put, that means that we are educating every time we open our mouths to speak and every time we model a behavior. Education is the act of communicating knowledge or behavior to another person. In the formal sense, that act takes place in a school setting. However, it must be noted that most education takes place outside of the classroom. We educate when we mention, when we mentor, and when we model. The best method of education is the combination of all three. Defining education is not truly difficult; what is difficult is limiting the definition so that it is meaningful. Soon we will look at the "Christian" part of Christian education, then we will join the two parts of the term to come to a working definition of Christian Education.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Walking with Kings (though not like them, I trust)
I have been reading in the Books of the Kings recently; my, what tragedies. To have the prophets that God sent their way and yet to turn and follow their own selfish ambitions. Truly we are a selfish and self-centered people. Just as the kings were basically one disaster after another, so we will find our lives a disaster if we try to live apart from God. Walking in the Spirit is not going to be a "bed of roses" and often He will lead us along a path that may not make sense to us. The great blessing is that it not need to make sense to us; we only need to follow obediently. We often state that His will is "for our good and His glory," but then we want to decide for ourselves what is "for our good." If God is truly in control and if He is truly our God, then He has every right to determine what is best. Our simple task is to follow. A dear friend always quotes the short chorus, "My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is follow." How right he is, yet how difficult it is to follow.
I have heard it said often that "life is like a roller coaster." I like coasters, but some of them do not like me, so that may not be a good thing. Seriously, life does have its share of ups and downs, yet my God is faithful and He provides and meets my needs even when I cannot see around the next corner or over the next hill. A lesson that is often difficult to learn is that God's timing is not according to my calendar. I can schedule life events and activities on each of my many calendars, but God uses His own calendar. It is easy to run ahead or to lag behind; the challenge is to keep pace with Him. I desire to be so in tune to the Spirit that when He shows the next step I am ready to take it. God does not use the pillar or cloud or fire, but the Spirit is even more effective if I am in the Word. Therefore, if I want to follow the Spirit closely, I need to meditate on His Word and His works. As I study Him, I grow to adore Him more and truly, He is worthy of our adoration. The more I fellowship with Him, the more I trust that my life will imitate Him. At that point I am ready to follow Him wherever He leads. I do not need to understand, I only need to follow. So, follow I shall.
I have heard it said often that "life is like a roller coaster." I like coasters, but some of them do not like me, so that may not be a good thing. Seriously, life does have its share of ups and downs, yet my God is faithful and He provides and meets my needs even when I cannot see around the next corner or over the next hill. A lesson that is often difficult to learn is that God's timing is not according to my calendar. I can schedule life events and activities on each of my many calendars, but God uses His own calendar. It is easy to run ahead or to lag behind; the challenge is to keep pace with Him. I desire to be so in tune to the Spirit that when He shows the next step I am ready to take it. God does not use the pillar or cloud or fire, but the Spirit is even more effective if I am in the Word. Therefore, if I want to follow the Spirit closely, I need to meditate on His Word and His works. As I study Him, I grow to adore Him more and truly, He is worthy of our adoration. The more I fellowship with Him, the more I trust that my life will imitate Him. At that point I am ready to follow Him wherever He leads. I do not need to understand, I only need to follow. So, follow I shall.
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