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.

Thanksgiving

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.

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.

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.