Home Again

Just returned from the convention. I was very impressed with the overall quality, the content, and the emphasis of what I heard. It was a strong exhortation to excellence in the ministry of teaching and an unapologetic and definitive stand for academic training of children and teens that is decidedly, thoroughly, and consistently Christian. No waffling, no "salt and light" excuses for embedding kids 30-40 hours a week in temples to a false god, no integrating the world's philosophies and "christianizing" them with a few Bible verses.

The opening message reminded us teachers that our students are our Timothys -- our sons in the faith. Like the believers in Philippi were to Paul, our students are our joy and crown. We need to teach them diligently with that attitude so as to build them up in their faith to become worshippers of, and thus servants of, the Lord.

The closing message took us to the account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet and and encouraged us to approach our ministry with the humility of a servant. Instead of trying to climb to greatness, we need to descend to a place before God and others where we genuinely minister. It's not about our professional achievement, it's about God's glory and the eternal hope he offers to human souls.

In between, there were dozens of workshops from which to choose that provided information, encouragement, and instruction in both the pragmatic and philosophical aspects of teaching. They were packed into a small amount of time, so we got a lot of information at a fast and furious pace. I need some time to mentally download it all and sort through it. I'm glad I took a lot of notes. Fortunately I had my laptop with me, so I was able to type quickly.

DH had a restful time, and we had wonderful fellowship and conversation with the N's. They took us to a funky little burger joint in downtown KC at the Crown Center called Fritz's . Your food order is delivered to your table by a miniature train on an overhead track. It's really quite clever. I did a little shopping at the Christmas ornament store. Back at the hotel, we all spent a couple hours playing Wii. DH doesn't usually get too excited about technological fads, but he really enjoyed this one.

We were thankful to the Lord for safe travel, a comfortable place to stay, the generosity of friends who helped make the trip possible, and the AACS staff and presenters who offered the conference. I am already looking forward to next year!

Southbound

We are traveling to Kansas City (technically Independence, MO) tomorrow for the MAACS teachers' convention. DH gets to go -- a nice little much-needed vacation for him. We will be traveling with Mr. N and his family, as well. I am really looking forward to the trip, the convention, and great fellowship with dear friends.

New Students

We have some new students starting classes with us at MCA tomorrow. We are very excited!

Maranatha!

Happy New Year

Happy 2008!

May this be the year the Lord Jesus Christ returns for his bride! Maranatha!


I Am Resolved
Words: Palmer Hartsough
Music: James H. Fillmore, Sr.

I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One,
He hath the words of life.

I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.

I am resolved to enter the kingdom
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.

I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay,
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
We’ll walk the heav’nly way.

Refrain

I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.
I will hasten, hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

A Joyful Moment in a Rough Day

Today was a rather difficult day for us at work. We are both overly tired, burning the candle at both ends, and dealing with heart issues of several of our students. In the middle of these joy-snatchers, a friend we had not seen for many months unexpectedly showed up for a short visit to our new school. She was overflowing with hugs, love, support, and encouragement for the job we are doing. Thank you, dear friend, for your kindness. And thank You, Heavenly Father, for sending her to us.

Questions

Rick Long from Lake Country (formerly Countryside South) spoke at WCBC today. His messages are always profound, yet refreshingly simple. He leaves me with a lot to chew on. Today's message was no exception. He simply had us consider a number of questions throughout the gospels (particularly John), that Jesus asked during his ministry--questions that had specific implications within their context, but that also have implications for us today.

John 1: "What are you seeking?"

John 6: "Do you take offense at this?" and "Do you want to go away as well?"

Matthew 16: "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" and "Who do you say that I am?"

John 13: "Do you understand what I have done to you?" and "Will you lay down your life for me?"

John 21: "Do you love me more than these?" and "What is it to you?"

Obviously, Rick was able to elaborate significantly on each question, and on the contextual responses, and, as always, he had wonderful insights and great application.

Maranatha!

God's Tattoos

But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me."
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."

Isaiah 49:14-16 (ESV)


People who get tattoos in the reckless years of their youth often regret them later, especially when they incorporate the name of some former fling. God's tattoos are eternal because his promises to Israel are eternal. He has no regrets. The fulfillment of those promises is our guarantee that Jesus Christ will never regret the scars on his hands either, and that God the Father will also fulfill the promises made to us and represented by those scars.

Human tattoos are primarily a passing vanity. The tattoos of the Father and of his Son, Jesus Christ, are emblems of God's glory.


Maranatha!