Walking on Air

Yesterday was absolutely incredible. Here are the pictures that show some of the work done -- https://picasaweb.google.com/109656897877397331311/HouseOnCambridge02?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM_04tizk4DcxwE&feat=directlink . We got so much done around the new house. Many thanks to those who gave of their time and energy to aid us in the renovation. God has been so wonderful to us and has given us such wonderful friends and family. I must sit in amazement at His wonderful grace and blessing to me and to my family.


Today is New Year's Eve. As I think of the new year that is now upon us, I think of goals for the coming year. One that keeps coming to mind is from Philippians 3 where Paul declares, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death...." That first clause, "That I may know him," reaches off the page and grabs me every time I read or think of the passage. One of my great desires for the coming year is to really get to know my God. That knowledge comes from reading about Him and through fellowship with Him. Too often I try to fit God into my mold or box, seeking to make Him fit my notions and ideas. As I read in the scriptures, I need to be willing to get beyond the black words on a white page and dig into the meaning and application of the truths found within the pages of the Bible. As I enter 2012, my great desire is to get to know my God and to properly reflect Him to those around me.


And now I get ready to head back over to the new home site and continue the renovation work. It shall be another busy, exhausting, yet very profitable day. Adios.

Walking through the Door

Well, this is a big day; today we closed on a house. We were looking, yet taking our time and God dropped a nice house right in front of us. Now we have a lot of work to do to get ready to move in. Over the next couple of weeks we will be removing carpet, fixing the hardwood floors, painting, and whatever else comes along. Yippee! It is amazing how good God has been through the process. The house is only about 3 miles from the school, so it does not take long to get to work. It is only about 4, maybe 5 miles from Bec's workplace.

I must give all thanks to God for His continuing goodness, care, and provision. His plan is perfect and the means that He uses to accomplish that means is always for our good and His glory. May we now glorify Him as we transition to a new home. Even now we sense that central PA is becoming more like home. The task is to make home feel like home.

Merry Christmas

Buenos días, aloha, good morning, and howdy to all. Merry Christmas on this fine and beautiful day. It is absolutely remarkable how good God has been to me and to my family. Have a blessed day; I trust that God will richly display His love and care to you throughout this Christmas day. Take time today to reflect on the God of heaven and on His Son that loved us and gave His life for us.

Walking as Forgiven

In baseball, a batter can get a hit three out of ten times and be considered successful. A football quarterback can complete six of ten passes and be considered accomplished. It was cause for rejoicing when Shaq made five of ten free throws. Yet at times, we beat ourselves up because we failed when we fall short of perfection. One of the verses that I love to meditate upon is I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I often think of the beginning of the verse, “If we confess our sins….” God did not say that “if we sin…” The implication is that we will sin; the conditional thought is whether or not we will confess it. That does not give us excuse to sin (see Paul’s comments in Romans 6). God knows us well and He knows that we will not be perfect; what He wants is a heart that realizes sin and its effect and is willing to acknowledge the result of sin and ask Him for forgiveness. We should strive for perfect obedience; sin should cause us to humbly go to God and ask forgiveness.

Another thought that comes to mind when thinking of I John 1:9 is this: How do I think of others when they sin? If I want God to accept me even in my imperfection, then I should be willing to accept others even with their shortcomings. Ephesians 4:32 says that I be forgiving, even as God is forgiving to me. As God has been kind, gracious, and forgiving to me, so should I be toward others. If I am to rightly reflect my God to those around me, I must do so at all times, in all places, toward all people. God’s love is given without discrimination, showing a pattern for my life. I should be indiscriminate in my love to those around me, even when they fail my expectations. If Christ could offer forgiveness to others even as He was hanging on the cross, there should be no reason that I cannot forgive someone else.

As I go through the coming days, months, and years, may I rightly reflect Jesus Christ by accepting others even with their faults and offering unconditional forgiveness. After all, what good is love without forgiveness; on one would be worthy of the love. Nothing anyone would do to me will measure up to what I have done to God through my sin. If I am to be involved in intercessory prayer, I must love and forgive others as my God has loved and forgiven me.

Enjoy, and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Walking --- While Sitting

Here I sit, eating cinnamon rolls and drinking coffee. Life sure is tough. Actually, Justin now works at 8:00, so I enjoy the time at the bakery sampling the wares. Justin is driving now; only in the learner permit stage, but driving none the less. Learning in the city is sure different than learning in Michigan's UP. There are a few more people and cars to avoid here.

The EBCA Christmas concert was last night and the kids were fantastic. There were some fun songs and some serious songs; some secular and some sacred. The choirs sang and the handbells and bands played. It was an absolutely fantastic concert. Perhaps I may post a piece of video or some pictures sometime.

The weather has been quite crazy recently. It is mid-December and it feels like Oct/Nov. It has been mostly in the mid to upper 40's recently. Cool, but very pleasant. Not quite Rio Grande Valley weather, but I can live with this.

The biggest news in our lives recently is the purchase of a house -- at least I think we are buying a house. If there are no complications, we expect to close by the end of the month and then move around Feb 1. There is still a chance for complication, but God has been working out detail after detail accomplishing what we would be unable to so on our own. Those who refuse to acknowledge God and/or His sovereignty must get headaches trying to understand all of the "coincidences." He continues to demonstrate the wonderful truths of Jeremiah 33:3.

Basketball season is underway, doing a wonderful job of adding to already busy schedules. Actually, it doesn't bother me since it has been such a big part of my life over the years. It is odd to sit and watch, but that is what I do these days. Justin and Bri enjoy it and that thrills me.

I was reading the other day about intercessory prayer and was struck again at how a God that knows everything and can do anything wants us to tell Him what He already knows and ask Him to do what He may already desire to do. It isn't about getting Him to perform a task; it is all about getting us involved to the task. We need to see others and their needs and be constantly in a spirit of prayer, going to God who can meet needs. Intercessory prayer is not about sympathy; it is all about the work of redemption and a God who loves us far beyond what we can understand. A quick study of the scriptures looking at the topic of intercession reveals the very heart of God, who Himself interceded on our behalf in sending His Son to die in our place. My desire this coming year is to be more involved in the work of intercessory prayer. As God cares for me, so I want to care for others.

Well, time to go. Have a great day.

Walking Week by Week

Well, I started this last week, but obviously it was not posted last week. Here goes the update to life...

November has been a great month. The middle of the month includes what may be one of my favorite weeks of the year. First, most of the juniors & seniors attended a Student Leadership Conference at High Point Camp. I always learn something at the conference, and I have been to 16 of them now. The speakers this year were Trevor Gearhart and Dr. Marty Von. They did a tremendous job of taking Biblical principles of service and ministry and applying them to regular life. Often we are told that leadership is about getting things done, yet Christ, the greatest of all leaders, looked for opportunities to serve others. he is our example of true leadership. The students and I had a wonderful week; now comes the fun part -- applying the principles learned.

When we return from Leadership, many of the HS students leave to participate in the KCEA All-State Choir. (KCEA = Keystone Christian Education Association) The choir is made of 150+ young people who put on a full concert in the capitol rotunda. The acoustics are amazing in that setting. 

Then came this week; we resumed casually looking for a house to purchase. We knew where we wanted to locate and how much we wanted to pay. The key was to get the place, the price, and the property to all meet at the right location. We looked at some properties online and then scheduled a visit to a house that we liked. Before we even got to see it, we saw that there was going to be an open house there, so we went to see it and then went again the next day for our scheduled visit. It was priced about where we wanted and we were pleased with the possibilities. Two days later we were on the way to the realtor's to make an offer when he called to say that on offer had already been made. God closed that door. However, two doors down was another (practically identical) house for sale. It needed more preparation work, but the price was a bit lower. We visited, made an offer, and the sellers accepted almost immediately. They did not want to keep an empty house through the winter. So now comes all of the preparation work. We need to paint and carpet, but the price difference allows that. God is so remarkably good.

So, November has been a very busy month, and yet through it all God has continuously been faithful as He provides all of our needs. We see in the scriptures that He is in control and directs in the affairs of man. Now, here we are at the end of the month and I look back and see that through every day God was overseeing and directing to meet our needs and to allow us the privilege of living a life that can be enjoyed as we see Him work.What more can one ask for than to have God Himself as the one who serves as our provider. He meets needs and goes far beyond that to provide the enjoyable blessing of life. Truly, He is a great and wonderful God.

Happenings Along the Walk

Well, the World Series has begun. Of course, Texas is going to win, but I guess I will allow the Series to continue so that we can watch.

Not only is the Series underway, but the Keystone Christian Education Association (KCEA) volleyball tournament is next week. The Emmanuel girls will be attending with the intent of collecting the school's first volleyball championship. I am as sure of their victory as I am of the Ranger's victory, but again, I will allow the games to be played. This year's team is not as powerful as last year's, but it has just as much potential when the team works together. We have been up and down this year; however, when we play well we play really well. I guess we shall see how things turn out. After all, tournaments are all about match ups.

School has been moving along smoothly. The staff is experienced; they know their responsibilities and a fine job of getting them done. The student body is full of angels that never err and never settle for mediocrity. Every school should wish they had students like we have here. (At least the statement about the teachers was correct.) Honestly, we do have a great student body. The staff and students make the school run what it is. 

The annual benefit auction raised almost 2x what is has done is previous years. That was a tremendous blessing. We have seen God bless in so many ways so very many times. It is incredible to see how He continually meets the needs of the school and of my family. Our God is our great provider. I look forward to seeing what He does in the coming days and how He will accomplish it.

Christian Education Defined (pt.6)

Methods

I believe that the primary form of instruction is the lecture style. Ezra, after the exile, and Paul in the New Testament gave forth their thoughts and the truths God had given them in lecture manner. Though discussion of the material did take place, the primary means of delivery was a  simple presentation of the material. Other methods should be used, but the lecture method should not be abandoned.

Where the teacher is concerned, according to Ezra 7:10, he must “prepare his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” To be a good teacher, a person must first of all be right with God to be as effective as possible. Next, he must use the Bible and the principles found in it. The teacher needs to spend time in the Bible and have an understanding of God's Word. Finally, the instructor must use the Bible to teach the laws of God in the classroom.

Just as the Christian educator’s philosophy is to be grounded in the Biblical principles, so are his methods. I believe that just as the Bible has the answer for daily living, so it also has the answers for the classroom.

Christian education, in nature, not simply in name, does many things different compared to the secular schools. Of course, the spiritual training and holy living are emphasized. Not all students will be geniuses, not all will attend college, but the groundwork can be put into place for discipleship to God. Oh, there will be students who reject the spiritual emphasis, but if it is given from a loving heart and a godly example they will be few. (Proverbs 22:6) Academics should be stressed over the extra-curricular activities. A well-run sports program may be a benefit, but a sports program is not necessary. I believe that what is necessary is for the sports program to be guided by a godly person who has specific goals in mind, such as the spiritual maturation of participants, not a state championship. Competition does not develop character; it simply exposes it. (I Corinthians 9:24-27; I Timothy 4:8)

Field trips and similar outings are a great way to show the practical uses of principles taught in the classroom. They should not be over-used, reducing their effectiveness, but rather they should be carefully governed; they should come at strategic times. If budget will not allow trips, bring the field to the classroom through internet, video, guest lecturers, and experiments: they will reinforce what has already been taught. Christ often used such ideas as “consider the lilies”( Matthew 6:28).

Walking through Turmoil

No, not our turmoil. As we were readying for the new school year, we felt the DC earthquake. By the end of that week we were receiving the fringe effects of Hurricane Irene. What a week, at least for weather bugs. Then, this week we welcomed Tropical Storm Lee and the resultant flooding (13 1/2 inches of rain in one week). All we needed was a blizzard, a volcano, and forest fire to complete the natural disaster list.

The earthquake: In our location it was weak. At first, I thought that a large truck was idling outside the office, but when I noticed the computer monitor shaking, I realized it was more than that. It was a rather cool feeling, but then we had no loss or damage.

Hurricane Irene: Honestly, I was disappointed. Eight years in Pensacola; seventeen years near the Texas Gulf coast and now I get a "hurricane" that was a glorified rain storm. Of course, I did not have to deal with damage or power outages. That does make a difference.

In between the quake and the cane, the 2011-2012 EBCA school year began. It began so smoothly it did not even register as a disaster (of course, the kids may have different ideas). God has been very good; we started the year with 94 students, up from the 87 we were anticipating. We have all of the needed faculty in place.

Then this week we were visited by Tropical Storm Lee. It absolutely dumped rain on the central PA region. The Hershey area was hit hardest, but the region as a whole was hammered. Again, God was good -- no loss or damage to our stuff. Here is a picture of the Hummelstown/Hershey Pizza Hut -- just a little water.

And so we move on, undeterred by earthquake, hurricane, floods, or the opening week of school. God continues to bless and to not only meet our needs, but also to exceed our wishes. He is a great and mighty God who loves us and cares for us.

Christian Education Defined (pt.5)

Axiology (the philosophical study of value)

What is the relation of values to education? Should values be taught at school or should the discussion of values be kept out of the classroom? Are values permanent or changing; are they personal or universal? There are many opinions to these questions, but true answers are few. Even though unaccepted by unregenerate man, the Bible provides absolute guidelines for life. The Bible clearly shows that all men have a sinful human nature, so expressed in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us that good works do not save us and restore our broken fellowship with God. Values as given in God's Word are absolute, set by God Himself; the keeping of God’s rules does not save man, but rather the grace of God (Romans 3:24) when he accepts the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).

God's laws cross all cultural and societal boundaries. There are many elements that indeed are restricted to particular periods or people (the Levitical Law, for example). However, there are many commands and principles that apply to all people in all places.


The values expressed in God's Word should be taught as permanent, universal truths that all men are to live by. They should be taught as such by Christian educators. Values should be primarily taught at home and reinforced at school, producing moral, godly people. Only with God's help and the help of family can the teaching of values do any good, and then they are useless unless the child knows Christ.


In our Postmodern world, the concept of absolute values is generally rejected; the result is a rejection of God. Yet, in John 14:6, Jesus exclaimed that He was the only way to heaven. If we know the truth, are we not bound to share it with those around us? Postmodernists tend to leave the interpretation of values to the individual, but God declares truth and says that it is of no private interpretation. Again, His Word applies to all people in all places.

Discipline

Discipline is an area that even Christians do not agree upon, so unsaved men and Christians cannot be expected to be in agreement. The teacher needs to be in control of the classroom to establish an atmosphere conducive to learning. Whether it be corporal punishment or restricted privileges, the teacher, or the school, must set rules and stick by them. Most instances of discipline in the Bible refer to the home setting, however the principles of discipline are established in God's Word. Hebrews 13: 7a says, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves.”

Many secular educators think that it is best to let the children do as they please, to become who they are. Unfortunately, many Christians do the same; in so doing they cater to the human nature. God has established a ranking of authority and the student is not at the top of the list.

In the classroom setting, the teacher is to have authority over the student, just as in life itself a person needs to yield himself fully to God (Romans 12:1). Sound, structured discipline in the classroom sets a fine example for the student, for he must ultimately give up control of himself to God and it is best to do so willingly.


Quite simply, discipline is good. When we understand the benefits of discipline, we become more willing to conform ourselves to Jesus Christ.

Materials

The Christian educator must be very careful of the materials he uses. Textbooks designed for secular, public schools, even old books, are written from a completely different perspec­tive than are Christian texts. Secular writers have not experienced the saving grace of God, so their philosophy is full of errors and so are their completed works. They may be well written and factual, but they do not emphasize spiritual things as they ought if they are to be used in a Christian school (Billings 1978, 74).

The administrator of a Christian school should, I believe, be a very discerning reader with great knowledge of the Bible. He must choose carefully the texts that will influence teachers and students.

I personally do not believe that “self-pace” methods in which the student works at his own level of achievement are the best choice for Christian education. If governed closely, they will be effective, but I would not recommend them if another option is available. I believe that although the authors of such texts may mean well, the texts differ philosophically from Biblical standards. In all areas I find in the Bible, God has established a structured ideal; I do not believe that it is right to leave this to the child. The classroom that allows the students to work at their own pace as they desire, seems to me to be a Christian substitute for the academic freedom of the open classroom, the difference being that the students are at least learning because they are in the textbooks. As I understand the Bible’s principles of instructing children, not children teaching themselves (Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 6:4).

We live in an age in which technology is king. It is easy for educators to become so focused on the use of technology that they miss the primary goal: education. We must remember that education is more that leaning to use the latest technological advancement.


Philosophy is the key when choosing materials. We can never ignore the philosophy behind the materials chosen for use in the classroom.

Howdy

What a wonderful summer. We have seen God bless in a variety of ways. Justin works every Saturday. We were able to go to Washington DC for an extended weekend (Thur pm - Sun afternoon). We visited/did:
Friday

• Washington Monument - Going up and looking around was great. God gave us a nice, sunny sky.
• US Forest Service - I have walked by the building probably 50+ times over the years. Finally, I stepped in. We saw Smokey and the Visitor's Center. It was a quick, yet unique stop.
• US Capitol - Rep. Platts' staff was very gracious and gave us a tour. The gallery lines were long, so we did not visit either of them, but everything else was wonderful to see.
• Union Station - We ate (twice actually) at the large food court in Union Station.
• Old Post Office - The Old Post Office is a cool place to visit. I usually go to see the view from the clock tower, a National Park site itself. It is the second tallest public viewing location in the city.
• Ford's Theater - There was no scheduled tour, nor a play taking place, but we were able to take the self-guided tour of the museum and theater.
• Bureau of Engraving and Printing - We saw money being printed and received the tour, but alas, no free samples.
• Marine Corps Evening Parade - We concluded the day at the 8th & I Marine Barracks to see the Marine Corps Band and the Drum & Bugle Corps. It was awesome!

Saturday

• Rosslyn Metro Station - We hopped off the Metro to rise the escalator at the Rosslyn Station. It is one of the tallest escalators in the western hemisphere.
• National Museum of American History - We visited a couple of Smithsonians and this was the first. We saw some of the unique symbols of America's culture and history.
• National Museum of Natural History - I usually refer to this as the Museum of Evolution. It does have a lot of great things to see, as long as you keep in mind that the dating system is seriously flawed. i like looking at the Upper Michigan copper and the stone from the island of Yap.
• Sculpture Garden - In all of my trips to DC, I have never stepped foot inside the fences of the Sculpture Garden until this trip. I may never do so again, as I am not much of a modern art type of guy. Relaxing, but not me.
• National Air & Space Museum - We like to walk and see the planes, rockets, and missiles. It is a fun place to visit and see the progress "we" have made in air travel.
• Tourmobile - We went back to Union Station to dine and then took the Tourmobile's Twilight Tour. I love riding around to see the city and especially the monuments lit up against the night sky. It makes for a long day, but it was a wonderful day.

Sunday

• National Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center - Typically referred to as the Air & Space annex, it has some great displays. an SR-71, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, the Enola Gay, and an air traffic control tower.

Then it was time to head home to catch the evening service back at Emmanuel. God gave us a great weekend and great weather to tour. We were not able to take a long or expensive vacation, but we were able to take a couple of days and spend time together as a family. God has given me a great family and He allowed us a wonderful time together.

See the photos here.

Christian Education Defined (pt.4)

Epistemology

Knowledge. How can something thought to be an absolute be portrayed in so many various ways by teachers who are “committed” to giving the truth for the students to learn? Once again, the answer lies in one's philosophy of education. The teacher is in many ways similar to an editor for the news media: he must decide what is to be taught and what must be left alone. Just as important is the level of emphasis placed on the topics that are taught.

Not only is knowledge often threatened by its presentation, but also by its perception. What forms true knowledge? First of all, the Christian must place the Bible and its accounts as absolute, inerrant truth. Neither personal preference nor current theology can be allowed to determine what is Biblical truth. Bible history and prophecy can both be taught as absolute knowledge because of their ultimate author, God, Himself.

Perhaps the two areas of classroom study in which know­ledge has been maligned the most are Math and English. Rules that govern these areas have been discarded by modern educators for a number of reasons, one of which proves the anti-Christian philosophy of secular education. In relation to human nature the Bible and most intellectuals disagree and this spills over into the classroom. Just as man's sinful human nature is inclined to sin,  ignore God, and live in disorder and rebellion (Proverbs 17:11),  so is academics, man tries to please himself and seem well off” by ignoring rules. The Pragmatist believes that truth is truth only as long as it works; therefore, as man becomes less in tune with an absolute God, many guidelines in life are eliminated because modern man cannot work within the context of “old-fashioned” rules (Mullenix 13 February 1990).

How one teaches history, especially government, also demands on his perception of truth. The highpoint of history is not American independence, but the cross of Calvary; the key figure in history is Jesus Christ.

Government and the Christian is an interesting study. I believe that the Christian must refrain from teaching the “advantages” of a democracy. In a democracy, each person does what he feels is right, as seen in Judges 2:11 and throughout the Bible; always it leads to trouble. The Bible does not necessarily condone a specific form of government (except theocracy), but the example in the personal life is that of a master and servant (Baker 1979, 38).

Science is a friend of Christianity that has in recent years been turned into a foe because many scientists try to dis­prove the Bible. True science and the Bible will never disagree, so the Christian educator need not be afraid of science. Evolution can be believed only if the Bible is rejected as truth. As a Christian, I firmly believe in the Biblical account of creation.

With all of the different interpretations of knowledge, how should a Christian educator decide what merits his time? He cannot rely on the title or the style of textbook, he must judge all by the Word of God.

Christian Education Defined (pt.3)

Philosophy of Christian Education, con't.

Metaphysics

Metaphysics is the philosophical term used to incorporate all that is considered to be real. Throughout history the two primary sides in the debate of metaphysics have been on opposite extremes.

Idealists believe that in its most basic sense, the nature of reality is spiritual instead of physical (Mullenix 30 January 1990). They place the emphasis on what we think we see, not on what we see. Because the mental is more real that the material, idealists believe that the purpose of education is to induce greater harmony between the student and the spiritual, or as they prefer, the universe (Oryshkewych 1966, 90). The chief problem with this is that, even if the teacher has a proper concept of the spiritual realm, and that is not very often the case, the education has little or no practical value.

The opposing viewpoint belongs to the realists, who believe that the physical world is all that really matters. There have been variant forms of realism throughout history, but as a rule they are persuaded that what can be seen is truth. Usually they rely on either reason or experience or observation and testing to determine what is to be considered part of reality. Because God cannot be observed or physically experienced, He is not believed to exist. In education, science is stressed as a way to discover what is real. This type of education would tend to lead the students to materialism and a here-and-now mentality because of observation and experience.

Neither idealism nor realism is the proper approach for the Christian educator. I believe that the Bible clearly teaches that both realms, the spiritual and the physical are a part of reality, as such.  John 4:24 says that “God is a spirit;” and therefore, the spiritual must exist because the infallible Word of God simply assumes that He is. God, nor the human writers, felt as if they had to prove His existence. Genesis 1:1 proclaims that God created the physical world as we know it: both worlds, spiritual and physical in one verse.

There are many similar examples of this fact found through­out the Bible. Just a few are the act of salvation, the indwelling of the believer by the Holy Spirit, and the believer's home in heaven, as we cannot see heaven, but we know it exists.

Just as the Christian’s view of metaphysics differs from that of everyone around him, so his view of metaphysics relation to education is different also. I believe that the chief difference between Christian education and public education is the handling of God; is He exalted as Colossians 1:18 commands, or is He ignored as secular humanism demands? A Christian school that is Christian in nature as well as name ought teach the truths of God with all the emphasis of the normal academic subjects. God, creation, salvation, all must be taught as truth in a Christian school, because the Bible gives them as truth, not theory. Above all, the Christian must realize that the Scriptures provide ultimate truth, not reason, experience, observation, or experimentation.

Enjoying the Walk

Grilling outdoors. Relaxing in the calm, cool evening. Reflecting on the enduring goodness of God. It is absolutely beyond my comprehension how much God loves me and cares for me. He has given me a wonderful family, the opportunity to minister with great co-laborers in two locations over almost twenty years. I have friends scattered around the country (some even in other countries). God has given us His Word to read and study so that we might better know who He is and what He expects of us. We have the Spirit, the Comforter, to instruct us as we walk through life.

The family, both immediate and extended, that I have been blessed with is wonderful beyond description. I have a wife that far exceeds anything I could have ever desired. My children, though not perfect, have grown and matured so much in the last couple of years. They are both good students, involved in numerous activites. My parents and in-laws are wonderful people that love God and seek to please Him. There is nothing more I could ask for.

It may not be Thanksgiving, but I am surely thankful my family. God has so greatly blessed and continues to do so. It truly is a wonderful God that I serve.

Mother's Day

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12


God has been so very good to me. He has given me both a mother and a mother-in-law that are worthy of honor. My life has been greatly influenced by these two wonderful ladies. Both of them take the talents that God has given them and use those gifts to be a blessing to others. Whether it is at the sewing machine, in the kitchen, or elsewhere, they have helped teach me how to use my gifts and talents for others. I truly feel blessed to have the families that I have; the Christian heritage established by my families, and especially by my mother and my mother-in-law, is a heritage that I can look at and see God working through others. I can use that model as an example for service and as an illustration to teach my children.


I am thankful for both of my moms. May God richly bless you as you have been a blessing to so many others.

Senior Trip, 2011

Well, another senior trip has come and gone. We left for the Wilds Christian Camp in Rosman, NC at 4 a.m. on Apr 18. We spent 3+ days at the Wilds. The kids had a great week involved in a variety of activities, spending time with kids from across the country and Puerto Rico. On Wed, we went whitewater rafting. That was a blast! While the activites were great, the preaching was even better. If someone was willing to allow God to speak, He was ready to be heard.

We left to return home Thur night and then traveled through the night, arriving home around 11:30 a.m. Fri.

We left again at 6:30 a.m. on Sat to spend the day in DC. The ENTIRE day.
We arrived back at home at 1:05 a.m. While in DC, we visited the Old Post Office Pavilion (and clock tower), Ford's Theater (1 act play), Union Station, Archives, Chinatown, American History Museum, Natural History Museum, and Pentagon City Mall. We finished with a late dinner at Red, Hot, & Blue - a Memphis-style BBQ place. It was a full day, but a great day. God gave great weather and allowed an enjoyable time for the senior class.

Walking at 100 mph

What a weekend. Justin and I went to the Nascar Sprint Cup race in Martinsville, VA on April, 3. The trip was Justin's birthday present for his 16th birthday. We left mid-morning on Saturday and pulled back into the driveway at 11:30 Sunday night. We covered some miles and had a great time together. We have been to races before, but neither of us had been to a short track for a Nascar race before this trip. After a brief moment of reflection, it was decided that I will make this trip again sometime. It was a blast.

Probably the best part of the weekend was the many ways that we saw God meet needs and provide.
(1) Only a few days prior to the trip, the weather report was calling for rain. We had bright, sunny skies until we were within 100 miles of home.

(2) We had absolutely NO traffic problems at all, going or coming. There is a section of I-81 in VA that is undergoing major construction, but there were no delays on the weekend. We arrived at the track without sitting in traffic. We found parking with no trouble close to the track. After the race, we had a short walk to the van, were allowed into the traffic line quickly and began the slow drive to the highway. Once there, we had quick travel toward home. I have spent hours in traffic at other races.

(3) We were able to see and do practically everything we wanted. Our seats were great, allowing viewing of the entire track. We had plenty of time to wander around the souvenir trailers. We had passes to go out on the front straight and watch cars finish inspection and then get rolled onto the starting grid. We were able to see part of Speed Channel's pre-race show live and we saw part of Fox Sport's pre-race show being broadcast live. We even tried the "famous" Martinsville hot dog.

(4) We spent significantly less than I expected. First, Martinsville offers a special deal to encourage kids (0-16) to attend. Justin's race ticket was all of $10, allowing me to get seats a touch higher in the stands and still spend less than at other tracks. The race tickets for both of us were less than what I usually spend for one ticket at other Cup races. The tickets and the track passes totaled less than 2 tickets at other events. Too cool. Also, the van ran great and actually got almost 23 mph. The hotel in Roanoke was inexpensive, but only 1 hour from the track. It cost me $75 less than a hotel in Martinsville would have. Overall, the price was right.

(5) We saw a great race. It had action throughout, especially if you were able to see the track and were not locked into watching one car at a time. My race scanner allowed us to listen in and hear some of what was happening. We had all of the items needed to watch and hear the race. I did not need to purchase anything as far as equipment. We have all that we need.

God was so very good. We had a wonderful, memorable weekend with much time together. The highlight of the entire weekend was having the opportunity to spend time with my son. It was a blast to have the weekend "alone" with him. He is growing up and developing into a fine young man, even if he does cheer for Jeff Gordon. I guess I will allow him that one issue to deal with. I simply rejoice in the goodness and graciousness of God to me and my family.

Walking Forward, Looking Back

As I was reading in Philippians 1 this morning, I was reminded about God's faithfulness in accomplishing in us the work that He calls us to do. Paul was facing a variety of challenges, not all of which were bad. In some cases he was faced with two seemingly good choices, yet decisions needed to be made.

• Early in the passage Paul comments on his prayer for the Philippian believers. He gives thanks to God for them and mentions them often in his prayers. As I read that statement, I was reminded of my need to pray for those who have influenced my life. Though God may have moved me on, my responsibility to pray for them remains unchanged. Paul's prayer included a desire for the church to have a love that grew in knowledge and in judgment. Part of Paul's desire for the believers was that they gain discernment and live a life above reproach.
• Paul makes note of the fact that the same God who calls us enables us. God will not call us to a task without giving us the ability (daily) to complete the task.
•  Paul understood that though he faced many difficulties, those difficulties were all ordained of God and were intended to accomplish a purpose that was the will of God. It was his place to live obediently, not to try to solve the problems.
• Paul dealt with people who sought to serve God and he dealt with people who sought to discredit him; his response was that the gospel was being preached, regardless of the motive of the preacher.
• We need to understand, as Paul did, that this world is not to be our focus and it is not our highest priority. Whether we live or die, we live for Him. What is really important in life? If His will is done, should we not be satisfied?

An Icy Reception

The storm that brought such wonderful weather to the Midwest (and 20 inches of snow to Chicago) brought central PA a lovely covering of ice. It sure is beautiful, but it tends to get in the way when there are places to go. This has now been a two scraper  winter. I hope to keep it at two. One storm put almost 1/2 inch of ice on everything; the second storm provided us with 1/4 inch. Again, very beautiful, but....

As a result of the great weather, we also lost four days of school over two weeks. Seems like fun, but as the old Fram commercial would say, "Pay me now, or pay me later." Any more weather days and we might be in school until July (or at least it will feel like it).

The kids had basketball games tonight; both played well. Justin had 17 points. Had to be an away game that I couldn't make. Rats! Both of the kids had good games and both are growing as players and as people. They are showing more maturity, both on the court and off. It is great to see the growth take place.

God has been great and has blessed us in so many ways. We are so thankful for all of His may blessings and provisions to our family.

Another Birthday Comes and Goes

Well, I sit here on my birthday with no school today (canceled due to weather) eating pasties and drinking Vernor's Ginger Soda. The snow is shoveled; schoolwork is caught up; life is good. I figured out today that I am 9/20 of the century old – must be that seventh-grade math.

I had the privilege to teach a Sunday School class this past Sunday. We briefly looked at the spiritual gifts. It is amazing to me how God takes different people with different talents and abilities and uses them to accomplish His work. As we were walking to church, one of the men mentioned that if one individual is not using his gifts, then others need to pick up the slack, perhaps even making more work for others. The church functions best when everyone performs the tasks God has gifted and called them to do.

I do not have a smartphone of any type, but as soon as I find the Lesson Plan app, I will be at the store buying a new phone. If it has a bulletin board feature, that would be bonus.

I will be teaching Economics this semester. I am looking forward to that. I am still trying to get a yearbook done. That is as much fun as shoveling snow in mid-January. Of course, that is much better than shoveling in July. School resumes tomorrow, but weather is on the way -- who knows, perhaps we will see another delay or cancellation. I hope not; it is not easy to teach without holding class.

2011 Update

Well Christmas and New Year's of come and gone and we're back into the routine of things. As a family, we had a great holiday season. My parents came to visit and we had a wonderful time for the week they were here. Now the days go by fast and furious -- basketball for the kids, the annual church Teen Winter Retreat, KCEA competitions, and on and on and on. Justin came home yesterday with literature about class rings. I was excited and yet it was like, "Whoa!" What is my son doing with class ring literature? It is amazing that he is getting older, but I am not. I'm not sure how that works.

The holiday season was especially special this year as we were able to spend time with both sets of parents for the first time ever. God has so greatly blessed us with wonderful family. It is great to have a family with whom love is shared, but it is even better to have that family share a love for God and a desire to see His will done.

January 7 was our 22nd anniversary. We had an enjoyable evening as we tried out a new (to us) restaurant in Hershey. The portions were HUGE and the food was delicious. I cannot believe that 22 years have already gone by. As we often hear, "Where has the time gone?" Becky is so wonderful, patient, and loving -- I guess I will buy her a table saw or maybe even a Packers jersey. What better gift for the one you love? God has been so very gracious to me to give me wife like Bec.

Sat., Justin and I went with Pastor and another man from church, along with five other teen guys, to see the Penn State vs. Mich State basketball game. We had a great time. The game was close throughout and exciting right until the end. It had a slightly strange feel to it as the majority of the students are not back on campus yet.

Exams begin at school for the kids (and me). Then, right after exams they head to the Pocono Mtns. for the retreat. I trust that they will have a great time and that God will use the event to speak to their hearts.