Close to Where It Started

Back in 1984, I began working for A Beka Books as a college student. Throughout that school year and the next, I packed books into boxes to prepare them for shipping. From 1992-2009, I ordered boatloads of books and received them via shippers. Now here I am in 2010, working for a shipper. I recently began working at a national shipper loading packages into airline containers for shipment. Loads of fun indeed, but it is truly a blessing from God. As I wait for the Lord's direction and plan come fruition, this will allow us to continue along our present course. Come fall, I expect to be employed full-time at school, but God is using this job to help meet the needs and pay the bills of the family. Truly He is wonderful.

Since I moved in August, I have been waiting to learn what God had in store for us next. It seems as if I finally know what that next step is. It also seems that the way is being prepared even before I am aware of the need. What a surprise -- God works ahead of my feeble, human vision.

We have been so richly blessed by God over the last few months, or more accurately, many years. I have been able to do all that I have wanted to do, from coaching, working with kids, teaching, and administrating. Now it seems as if God is opening many of those doors again. While I will not need to do all that I had grown accustomed to doing, God is slowly preparing opportunities to minister and serve in the areas that I most enjoy. In the mean time, I pack shipping containers. God has once again shown Himself to be sovereign, working steps ahead of what we can see or envision.

Walking the Many Miles

What a wild and wonderful week I just had. I was able to go to South Carolina to attend a teacher recruitment conference on behalf of EBCA. That was quite an honor. It also happened to be the first time I had visited BJU. I was not able to really see the school, as I was busy searching for teachers, but I was able to get a better understanding of the school and students than I had previously. That was one blessing.

Before the trip, one of our best friends from Texas came to visit for a day. He was not here for long; almost exactly 24 hours, but it sure was great to see him. Not only that, but he also brought fresh grapefruit. It was a great treat to have him visit. Thanks Clifton.

I arrived in SC on Sunday evening and went to my former pastor's house, as I was going to stay at his place for three nights. Well, what a great surprise. All of the Apple family, sans Carolyn and her family in TN, were able to come over. Also, others that I served with in TX, the Kelley and the Fortney families came over also. All that was really missing was Becky. I sure wish that she could have gone. It was wonderful to see friends that I have not be able to see for a few years.

Once I arrived at the conference, I found a friend of Bec's family from back in the IA days. Brad is now the administrator of a Christian school in MI. It was good to catch up with him for a couple of days.

I have numerous times over the years told students that I have been able to do all that I could have ever wanted to do, simply because I was where God wanted doing what God wanted. This was just another example of God giving an opportunity that I could not have manufactured. What a great week.

Then, to top things off, I came home and became ill. Yippee.

Colossians 1

I have been taking a LONG time to work through the book of Colossians. The plan is to take my time, but to try to gather as much as possible from the text. I anticipated taking, about six weeks to cover four chapters, but after four weeks and finding myself still in Chapter 1, I have decided that it will take longer than I anticipated. No problem.

One of my favorite parts of the book of Colossians is the book of Colossians. My favorite verse is Col 2:8; I love Col 1:17-18; the prayers of Paul are both educational and uplifting. Chapter 3 tells me how to develop as an individual and Chapter 4 shows Paul's love for his friends. It truly is a wonderful book.

I find Paul's prayer for the church at Colosse to be fascinating. When I see what he prayed for them, it causes me to reflect on my prayers for others. Often we pray and ask for generic, general requests, such as "help them to be healthy." Nothing wrong with asking for good health, but Paul was focused on the primary need: spiritual growth and in asking, he was specific. He asked for three specific things: (1) an increasing knowledge of the will of God; (2) that they would walk rightly; (3) that their faith would be strengthened. I read the verses and say to my self, " I need to pray that for myself, even as I pray that for others."

During this time of transition, I have sought to improve my walk and communication with my God. Paul's example and admonition is helping me to see the weaknesses in my life that need to be remedied. Eventually I may get to Chapter 2; for now, Chapter 1 is just loaded with material that I need to study in more depth.

What a Trek!

Well, we have been BUSY the last few weeks. After Christmas, we had the opportunity to move to the parsonage at the church we attend. The pastor has his own house, so the house was empty. It has been such a huge blessing. My in-laws were a wonderful help as we moved the belongings from their house and the storage shed. It was a long, yet fruitful week of work. Then came the arranging of furnishings. Even that has gone well. It has been so amazing to see God work during the transition.

One of the great things about the move is that the kids and I went from a 25 minute commute to school to a 45 second walk across the parking lot. Of course, now Bec has the drive to and from work. Oh well, someone has to sacrifice.

Basketball season is well under way. It is VERY odd this year, not being on the sideline. I have been able to attend most of the kid's games. They are both improving.

Currently, we are waiting on God to see what He has planned for our future. In the meantime, it is good to work in the school, even part-time. The kids are great to work with, so that makes it even better. Many of the students will be out next week participating in a basketball tournament in SC. That should be exciting for them.

Another exciting thing that has come about is that I was asked to go to BJU to recruit teachers for next year. That was completely unexpected. I have been thrilled at the opportunities that God has made available to me this year. I was able to attend the Leadership Conf. in the fall and now I get to take a recruiting trip. These are blessings that are difficult to explain. I have a great love for both of these activities. God is so very wonderful.


This year I want to do some book studies for my devotional reading. I am currently in Colossians, and will be for some time. It is a wonderful book that is full of practical teaching. I am looking forward to what God desires to teach me.

Sayanora

A Very Merry Christmas -- to You

God has been so wonderfully good this Christmas season. I have been able to go sledding with the kids two different days. We had a blast! The kids have been sledding maybe once or twice ever, if at all. The hill is just down the road from the in-law's, perhaps a five minute drive. The temperature was about perfect -- 32-35 degrees. Definitely not south TX.

At this time as I reflect on the blessings of God, I would be remiss if I did not comment on my family. God has richly blessed me with wonderful family, both my parents and siblings and Bec's parents and siblings. I can do nothing but rejoice in His goodness to us. Everyone gets along well and we enjoy spending time with one another. Truly, God has blessed us. it has never been more evident than at this time when Bec and I wait to see the next step in God's will for our lives. The prayers and support have been such a blessing.

Recently both our church and the kid's school had their Christmas programs. They were so enjoyable and so well done. Neither was elaborate, but both were worshipful. It was quite odd to be present and have no role at all, especially at the school concert. I attended as a parent, something I have never done before. It was good to see my kids in the choirs and my wife and son in their respective handbell choirs.

As I part, I want to say again how thankful I am this Christmas season. At a time that has such a focus on the giving of gifts, I must say that the best gifts are the ones that you do not unpack. They are the ones that are displayed as we represent our Savior to those around us. So many people have done just that lately; some close by, others scattered around the country. Yet each in their own way has been generous to me and to my family. To each of you I say "Thanks." I appreciate it greatly. May God bless and reward you as you have been such a blessing to us. Just as God loved and therefore gave, so you have done the same. Your love has been sensed and is appreciated.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Well, here it is the last weekend before Christmas and I am fairly well stuck indoors. I really enjoy running around and visiting the stores (not much actual purchasing), but it looks like that will not be happening today. The snow has been falling since 4 AM and it is supposed to continue for hours to come. When all is said and done, we may end up with around 12 inches of snow. I guess I will have another cup of coffee soon and enjoy the birds outside as I sit inside.

EBCA had their Christmas concert on Dec. 11. What a blessing! I was truly impressed as the choirs sang, the band played, and the handbell choir performed. It was great to see Justin playing in the JV handbell choir.

Basketball season is underway. Both kids are playing, so the schedule is quite busy. I enjoy watching the games, but it is quite odd to not be coaching. It is VERY strange. Maybe at some point God will allow me to once again coach, or maybe not. It is completely up to Him.

GREAT BIG PRAISE. Pastor Crews and the deacons have asked if we would be interested in living in the church parsonage. It appears that the only cost at this time would be for utilities. Huge blessing. The parsonage sits on the property with the church and school, so it would change the current travel arrangements. Currently the kids and I have the 25 minute drive and Bec the 5 minute drive. It will be flipped after we move. All we can say is that God is good!

In my devotional reading this last week I covered Jehoshaphat. Here are some of the interesting points about the life of Jehoshaphat.

1. He had a heart for God. He wanted to serve His God.
2. He was not completely committed to do whatever it to (remove the high places),
3. He had bad companions -- King Ahab.
4. He paid a price for those associations.
5. His son married Ahab's daughter. Probably wouldn't have happened if he hadn't of worked with Ahab.
6. His son was a wicked king. Apparently, he did not do a good job of teaching at home.

I will try to comment more over the weekend. Have a great day and stay warm.

Christian Education Defined (pt.2)

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudi­ments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:6-8).

Just as during Paul’s lifetime, so today humanistic philosophies often lead to the ruin of Christians. Today, though, the false teachings are not being put forth by Greek philosophers, but rather by educated professionals whose word often goes unquestioned, even by most Christians. Unfortunately, many people, especially the immature, accept the teachings or philosophies of unbelievers based on the "pedigree" of the teacher without evaluating the teaching by the Word of God.

The modern educational system is designed by intelligent people to reach the objectives they have set for it. Through education, they desire to create a society pleasing to everyone who believes as they believe. The Christian educator ought have an entirely different purpose, one that governs everything he does. He needs to train the students to serve God, teach them to live for God, and supple­ment the home and church. The school is not to replace home and church to create a product that is a benefit to society. The educator who seeks to please God cannot follow the philosophy of unsaved men; they almost always view the components of education in very different ways. 

Some people may ask, “How do you know the philosophy of public education is atheistic; and even if it does not promote God, surely it does not repudiate Him?” To answer that, I turn once more to the Apostle Paul, this time in I Corinthians 2:12-16. For purposes of space, I will quote only verse fourteen:   “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.” If the natural man can not grasp the things of God and according to Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it,” what can be the result but atheistic philosophy. 

II Corinthians 6:14, 15 is a great prin­ciple for educators to live by: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Many people stop there and complain, they do not finish the passage. Verses sixteen and seventeen are just as important, for they give the command to separate and the promise for obedience.

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God bath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Where fore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

As far as I can see, the key verse in the passage, for educators, is not even included in the passage by the men who incorporated the chapter and verse divisions. Chapter seven, verse one clearly provides a Christian response to modern educational philosophy, especially when read in the context of 6:14-17, with current public education in mind. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

I believe that what a person believes about metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology will show forth in other areas of the classroom as well. Discipline, materials, methods, erand activities all are rooted in philosophy.


More to come later.