The Perfect Storm

The Rhythm of Life

2011-05-26T16:47:00.001-04:00

For over forty years my life has moved to the rhythm of the school year. The excitement of September, those wonderful Christmas holidays, the drudgery of winter, the beauty of spring, and the much needed summer break. And once finished, it would start all over again. It was a rhythm that was dependable and comforting. It was life.

In a few short weeks, that rhythm will be disrupted. Students will bolt out of the building on June 10 with teachers close behind. But unlike other years, I will not welcome them back in the fall. By September, I will have moved on in preparation for the next stage in my unpredictable life. I will be adjusting to the beat of a new drum, a new rhythm.

Will it be as dependable? Will it be as comforting? Only time will tell, I guess. But this I do know: God is dependable, and God is comforting. Why should I be afraid? Whom should I fear? If our God is for us, then what could stand against? Surely not the things of the world, nor the unseen powers above or below. Our God is our Rock, our ever present help in times of trouble. We all face times when we must step out in faith, unsure of what lies ahead, yet we can be perfectly sure of who is in control. As we all move ahead, no matter the circumstances or the outlook, remember and tightly hold onto that truth. In it we will find the true rhythm of life.

A Concert for the Ages

2011-05-13T13:36:00.013-04:00

I love music. I know, not everybody loves music, and I'm OK with that. But I think I am in pretty good company, since it seems clear that God likes it too. After all, he created it! One of the really neat things about music is that it can stir your emotions even when not professionally done. This is different from, let's say, getting a new roof put on. Sideways shingles installed at a bargain rate look bad, and more importantly, don't keep the water out. Music, on the other hand, can be performed by kindergartners or professionals, and while not of the same quality, the effect can be quite similar. When I hear music, something is triggered inside me that makes me smile. I don't know why - it just is. When I heard our choir, band, and string club perform at our recent concert, the music touched me down deep inside. Of course, there were some misplaced notes and wayward pitches. I heard them, and maybe you did too. But the overall effect was the same. I left somehow different than I came (and that's a good thing!).

Isn't it somehow the same when we work with kids? We should know by now (it is the middle of May, afterall) that the "music" our kids produce will not always be worthy of Carnegie Hall. But it doesn't have to be. We expect our students to develop and use their God-given talents to the best of their abilities, for the glory of God, and for the advancement of His kingdom. That won't look the same for everyone, will it? Some will indeed compose and perform beautiful music, while others will struggle to stay on key, and in the end may not even be successful with that. But we still love them and do our best to encourage them to use the talents they have been given in His service. Let's listen to the music our kids produce not with an ear for perfection, but with a heart of love, understanding, and encouragement. Now that would be a concert for the ages!

A New Journey

2011-03-04T08:45:00.002-05:00

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Like each of you, I have a past. My past has shaped who I am and will in many ways shape my future. Nine years ago, while living in Kampala, Uganda, God began a work in my heart. It all started with a tiny, sickly little eight month old baby who was dying from malnutrition and several other life threatening illnesses. This little child somehow fell into the arms of my wife and my oldest daughter, who one day carried her compassionately into our home to offer the care that was necessary to keep her alive. That one day changed my life forever, only I didn't know it at the time.

To say that I was not planning to have more children would be a great understatement. When Stacy asked if I would consider adopting this little girl I grew anxious and even bitter. This was not my plan! Over the next few weeks I struggled with this decision, but all along I knew that I was not struggling with a mere decision; I was struggling with God, his Word, and his will for my life. Pure and faultless religion is looking after orphans.... God placed this needy child in my care. How could I say anything but yes? It was only the beginning of the work God would do in my heart.

Soon after, he would bring another orphan baby into our home, and we began the adventurous task of raising a “second” family. I was not surprised by this turn of events. But then God began to do something that did surprise me; he began to melt my heart and re-mold it into a heart for orphans and for children in distress. He gently pursued me with the overwhelming need to care for “the least of these.” My heart began to weep with emotion brought on by the needs of children growing up under the crushing weight of poverty, disease, and abandonment. And finally, he looked at my restless heart and said “This is who I have made you to be. This is what I have prepared you to do. Now go and do it.”

And so we go. God has called us back to Africa to help meet the needs of the orphans and vulnerable children of Uganda. It is a daunting challenge, and I would not be honest if I said that the transition would be easy. We are aware of some of the difficulties that lie ahead, yet we rest in his unfailing promises. We must follow God's lead, wherever that might take us. Singer/songwriter Josh Wilson reminds us of our responsibility to respond in his song I Refuse,

I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose not to move, but I refuse.

I couldn't agree more!

Daily Bread

2011-02-04T13:58:00.000-05:00

I have recently begun to start my days with a simple prayer from Matthew 6:11: "Give us this day our daily bread." As I go through the daily struggles of life, I find myself looking behind, as if I can change what has happened in the past, or looking forward, as if I might be able to help God get it right the next time around. Jesus told us to look to God each day for what we need. We tend to get overwhelmed with our perceived future needs and forget that we don't yet need our bread for tomorrow; today's bread will do just fine. I have started praying a similar prayer for our school as well. "Lord, give us exactly what we need today. We'll check back with you tomorrow with our next list of needs." Jesus made it clear later in Matthew 6 that he will take care of us one day at a time; after all, tomorrow, he said, will bring a whole new set of worries. Why fret over those today? Instead, we must let God be our provider today, and then remember this profound truth every day for the rest of our lives. By doing so, we will understand much more clearly the fact that it is God who provides for our needs, not we ourselves. Let him do what he has promised to do. As the words of an old Keith Green song remind us, "Just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed, and He'll take care of the rest!"

The Right Foundation

2011-01-27T14:32:00.000-05:00

In Matthew 7:24-28 we read the familiar story of the foolish man who built his house on sand and watched as it crumbled at the onset of the first big storm, and the wise man who built his house on the rock and was able to relax as the thunder rolled and lightning flashed. The difference between the two houses is clearly the foundation. Is it strong enough to hold when the storms of life come? In Sunday School, if you asked the kids what that foundation is, they would of course say "Jesus!" And they would be right.

Why is it then, that in a school, even a Christian school, we sometimes forget who the real foundation is? The foundation that we build our lives on is not education, books, wisdom, or any kind of success, whether it be academic, athletic, social, or financial. The foundation that we build our lives on is a relationship with Jesus Christ in which he is our Savior and Lord and we are simply his. If we do everything else well but fail to build this foundation, then we must either close our doors or remove the word Christian from our name. So, in the end, as a Christian school we have two incredibly important responsibilities: to lay a foundation for our students which will not wash away, and to convince our students to build their houses on that foundation. The words of the old Sunday School song come to mind:

So, build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
And the blessings will come down.

Grab your hammer and saw! We've got some building to do!

The Truth About Christmas

2010-12-17T11:34:00.001-05:00

So let me get this straight. Mary and Joseph make a quick trip in late December over to Bethlehem in a Dodge Colt - no wait, it was a donkey, right? Every innkeeper in town turns them away - how rude! They get stuck in some stinky stable with a bunch of mooing cows, braying donkeys, and clucking hens, and that night Mary delivers Jesus, who never cries and is the perfect baby. Meanwhile, in another part of town, - or was it over the hills and through the woods? - a choir of angels puts on a splendid concert in the park for the surprised shepherds, who quickly run to the stable to see the baby. That same night, three kings on camels follow the star all the way from the "East," (China I think) bringing toys for the baby, which is why we give toys to our kids now on Christmas morning. I think that's about it. I hope I got it right, because I know it is really important.

Well, I 'm afraid that it's not quite right. It seems that over the years, some strange and not very Biblical things have happened to the Christmas story. Here are some examples:

That quick trip was about 80 miles and took at least a week, probably entirely on foot, as no where does the Bible indicate that Mary (or Joseph for that matter) rode on a donkey or any other kind of animal.
Jesus was likely born in late September or early October. December 25 was actually the date of a festival honoring the sun. The early Catholic Church wanted to replace this festival with a Christian holiday, and thus set the date as the day to celebrate Christ's birth.
Innkeepers are not even mentioned in the Christmas story (though they are in almost every Christmas play performed since then!). In fact, the word often translated as "inn" can also be translated as "guest room," meaning that Jesus may have been born out back behind the house of relatives who had no more space in their guest room.
The Bible does not mention the words stable or barn or even cave. We just know that Jesus was laid in a manger, so we can assume that there were animals around.
The Bible says that "while they were there" Mary gave birth. They may have been in Bethlehem for weeks before the actual delivery.
The Bible does not say that Jesus never cried, though it makes for a nice Christmas song.
Neither does the Bible say that the angels sang. In fact, it says instead, "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
And one last thing, the Bible does not talk about kings from the east, but wise men, or magi. Nor does it mention camels.

It isn't hard to see how some of these misconceptions crept into the Christmas story. Many of them "make sense." But the Christmas story is not really about shepherds, wise men, donkeys, camels, innkeepers, stables, mangers, angels, or even Mary and Joseph. It is about Jesus, and the wonderful, amazing, incredible, and mind blowing fact that God became man and lived among us, and then died as a sacrifice for our sins. I can put up with a few misconceptions as long as we don't lose the wonder and awe that accompanies such an astonishing and miraculous thing. When you get overwhelmed this Christmas season - and you probably will - just reflect back on the simple yet astounding fact that Jesus became one of us so that he might bring salvation for all of us. What a story! What a Savior!

The Lord Takes Away

2010-12-03T13:38:00.000-05:00

We all know that verse in Job. You know, Chapter 1, verse 21. Job, who has just lost most of his family, his possessions, and his dignity as well, says (in a spirit of worship, not despair),
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
   and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
   may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Many people have no idea what it means to have something important taken away.   When we were evacuated from Zaire in 1996, we lost almost all of our earthly possessions. Despite that, I feel very much like the person who has no idea what it really means to lose something, for I left the country with my wife and children, all of us safe and unhurt. We were grateful, for we knew we could have lost so much more.

Others have had a different experience. Just last week, close friends of ours lost their 15 year old daughter in a car accident which involved all four of their children. With their daughter dead and three children in the hospital struggling for life, our friends chose to live by faith, quoting Job 1:21 in a defiant act of worship of our God. Not because they necessarily felt like saying it, but because their faith enabled them to say it.

God gives and he takes away. We have no problem with the giving, but we struggle greatly with the taking. It is absolutely necessary to allow the Giver of life the right to also take things from his children. This is where our faith comes in. This is where we trust. This is where we allow God to be God, and where we recognize that we are not. And this is where, above all, we say in worship "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Formula 4:09

2010-11-18T14:09:00.000-05:00

Christian schools have always played an important role in our community. The problem is, it is not always obvious or agreed upon what that role is. Historically, the Christian school has been viewed as one of the three legs of a stool, along with the church and the home. The analogy is fairly accurate, but falls short in one important area. While the three legs of a stool are equally important and exactly alike, church, home, and school, though equally important, are most definitely not exactly alike. What is the role of the school then? I have argued in the past that because we are a Christian school we must place even more importance on developing Christian character than academics (which is saying a lot, since we place a tremendous amount of importance on academics!). We are responsible to our students, our parents, our staff, our community, and above all, our God, to do all we can to produce academically strong students who have been challenged to demonstrate, grow in, and share their faith. Sometimes this means that we will need to discipline our kids when it is apparent that the choices they have made are not only wrong but also detrimental to themselves and those around them. While clearly the home and the church take the lead in this area, the school has a tremendous responsibility to all of its students to respond in a way that is best for the entire student body and for the school in general. Clearly everyone will not agree on what is best, or even what is good. But here is something we can agree on: it takes the church, the home, and the school working together to give kids the best chance to grow spiritually and academically. Ecclesiastes 4:09 says Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. In this case, three is also better than one. I call it my Formula 4:09. May it remind us to work together to make Providence Christian High School all God wants it to be.

Equal Footing?

2010-10-29T11:13:00.000-04:00

I morphed again. Wow, that sounds like a really bad thing when you say it that way. Like something a teenager would do to get attention. But it's true. I've changed. Not long ago I wrote these words: "We will develop Christian character in our students, and lead them toward growth in their walk with the Lord. This is on equal footing with our desire to be academically excellent, for without it we are worthless as a Christian school" (emphasis added). It's the equal footing part that bothers me. I know why I wrote that. It is difficult as a school to make anything more important than academic success. Academic success validates us and, in many cases, defines us as a school. But ask yourself this question: "When I stand before God, will he be checking my academic pedigree? Will he want to know my high school grades or my college degrees? I know, it matters how we use the talents God has given us. If he has given you a great mind, you had better be using it for his glory. I also know that we are a school, and that other components of the Christian community (e.g. the church and the home) contribute to faith building. But I keep thinking about the fact that we have direct influence over our students for 50% of their waking hours during their high school years. Where should we be putting our emphasis? Remember, how effectively you use your mind for God will not save you; what will save you is your personal faith in Jesus Christ. How then, can a Christian school put academic success on equal footing with the development of Christian character, or more importantly, growth in (or formation of) a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? My belief is that it can't, and that it shouldn't try. Instead, we must strive for and maintain academic excellence while making growth in the Christian faith our top priority as we develop relationships with our students. Then we move beyond being a school with a Christian focus to being a Christian school with an eternal focus.

Morphing 101

2010-10-07T16:17:00.000-04:00

From time to time my wife Stacy and I recall, with some embarrassment, our early thoughts on raising a family. It went something like this: start young, finish young, then enjoy the empty nest. We had no trouble with step one, as our first four children were all born before we reached the age of 30. Simple math put us as empty-nesters by our mid 40s. What a brilliant plan! Fortunately, it wasn't God's plan, which became clear to us when we welcomed two orphans into our home. As God made changes to our plans, our view of family also changed. In fact, it's probably more accurate to say that we changed, rather than our views. We were no longer looking forward to our kids being out of the house (though there are still those days!), but instead we began to understand that God was using us to shape and mold our children, His children actually. What a blessing and responsibility! Now we cherish every day with our kids, with a less than eager expectation that some day we actually will be empty-nesters.

In his book The Life You've Always Wanted John Ortberg reminds us that we need to morph. We need to be willing to change, and more importantly, to change according to God's plan, becoming all He wants us to be. Stacy and I have most certainly done some morphing over the past 25 years. In fact, I have recently morphed into the grandparent stage, and now I have an entirely new perspective on family! Yet I feel that I have so far to go in order to be all that God wants me to be. Am I still open to his leading? Am I willing to do what he wants, despite any difficulties it may cause me? Can he really have his way in me, or are those just words that I sing in church? Ultimately, the question is, am I allowing him to be Lord over every aspect of my life? Am I still morphing? Are you?

I'll Sing the Words

2010-09-23T14:05:00.000-04:00

The other day in chapel one of our teachers told a great story. She said that in her family, when they get together for Christmas to sing carols, they always discuss at great length what parts each member of the family will sing. While they were presumably fighting over the best parts, her husband, who some might say is musically challenged, chimed in with one of the most profound lines I have heard in a long time. He simply said, "I'll sing the words."

His words challenged me. We don't want to be out of tune; we want to blend in with the choir. Why are we so worried about how we look or how we sound? Why can't we just sing the words? Why can't we just do what's right? Why can't we just follow Jesus wholeheartedly, even though the road is narrow and difficult? If the "words we sing" are the actions that define who we are and what we believe, why do we so often forget the right lyrics?

Jesus said you will know a Christian by his fruit. James said that faith without works is dead. Am I singing the right lyrics? Am I more worried about a charming melody than truthful words? Will people know me by my words and actions, or by how well I fit in with the crowd? Last Tuesday, 30 students gathered around the flag pole to pray. They were singing the right lyrics. Yesterday, 15 students, staff, and parents sang the right words by helping distribute food to the needy at our food truck. Those actions are "singing the right words" for all the world to hear.

Our musically challenged teacher likes to say, "Make a joyful noise!" Amen to that. Let's make that noise, even when the world tells us that it sounds awful or it makes them uncomfortable.

What lyrics will your life sing?

Another School Year? Bring It On!

2010-09-09T14:21:00.000-04:00

It might be just me, but there are few things in life that I feel less prepared for than fall. I know, it’s a nice time of year. Temperatures are cooler, leaves are falling, and football is being played every weekend. Super. I’m pumped. Can you sense my excitement? I’m sorry, but I just love summer. It’s not because I don’t have to work (because I do), it’s because I love not having to bundle up to go outside, or snow blow my driveway, or scrape ice off my window. The problem with fall is not the weather; it’s that it signals the weather to come. I can’t help it that I spent 8 years living near the equator. It does something to your body, I think, and two years back in Michigan has not yet cured me. In time, maybe.

Now let me tell you the truth: I may not be prepared for fall, but I am still very excited about the new school year! My pessimistic side says “NO!! I'm not finished with summer yet! I'm not ready for school to start! But my optimistic side says “Thank you Lord for another school year, and another chance to work with kids!”

This is a school. I could make a long list of current and potential problems for the upcoming year. What is it that gives me confidence as we move ahead? Why can I, and each of you, be optimistic? Here are three simple reasons, and some scripture to back them up:

With God, all things are possible (Mark 10:27)
Jesus Christ is the creator and ruler of all (Col. 1:15-17)
We can do all things through Christ (Phil. 4:13)

Now, tell me, how can you be pessimistic about this year, or about your situation, or about your kids, or about anything? We have so much to be thankful for, including being loved by a savior who created the earth and everything in it, who gives us strength to do all things, and a God who can do the impossible. Another school year? Bring it on!

When Perfect Isn't

2010-06-03T08:28:00.000-04:00

I try not to talk about baseball too much, but today I can't help myself. Last week, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers threw a perfect game... well, almost perfect. In a perfect game, a pitcher retires all 27 batters in order - no walks, no hits, and no errors. It has happened exactly 20 times in over one hundred years of professional baseball. In last night's game, Armando Galarraga retired the first 26 batters he faced, only to give up a hit to the 27th. Only it wasn't really a hit, as the batter reached first base only because the umpire made the wrong call, a fact he admitted to after watching the video replays.

Did Armando Galarraga reach perfection in that game? One might argue that he did, as the only flaw belonged to the umpire. But the record books will show a one-hitter, not a bad accomplishment, but short of the immortality that goes along with a perfect game.

I'd like to think that Galarraga’s game was perfect, even if the statistics show otherwise. He will not likely ever throw a no-hitter in his career, let alone a perfect game. That game was probably as close as he will ever get. I say we just change the call and make it all good, but I know that will not happen. The truth is, he was not, technically, perfect that evening, so he should not be rewarded for something he did not attain.

This week we end our school year. Our year was not "perfect." We made plenty of errors, allowed way too many runs, and sometimes even tripped over first base. At other times, we might argue, the umpires made bad calls. But through it all, we had to keep playing. Despite our inconsistencies, we still keep trying to throw perfect games. But even a "perfect game" is pitched by a completely flawed pitcher, playing with flawed teammates, a flawed manager, and the aforementioned flawed umpire. We will not reach perfection until we set foot (or will we fly?) into heaven.

I am directed by God to keep trying for perfection, though I will not attain it in this life. As a school, we are commanded to reach for it as well, though we know reaching it is impossible. We keep trying because we are not allowed to give up. We keep trying because God put us here to make a difference, and who are we to quit when the left fielder makes an error, the other team hits three consecutive home runs, or the umpire blows a call? We need to play hard every inning, until the last batter is out and God turns off the stadium lights and shuts down the concession stands. Our Manager expects nothing less.

That's how it always is with God

2010-06-02T13:10:00.000-04:00

I used to remark "The older I get, the faster the years go by." While the years continue to fly by, I have stopped remarking about it. Unfortunately, it has become the norm now, something I have grown accustomed to, though I don't necessarily like it. There are some benefits, however, to time flying, such as:

Christmas gets here quicker (Does it come twice a year now?)
My upcoming vacation will get here faster than I can say "Myrtle Beach." (Unfortunately, it will also be over before I can say "Where'd it go?")
Children spend less time in diapers (Wasn't he just born? And now he's graduating?)

Another school year has passed, and of course it seemed to go by very quickly. But the issue really isn't how fast the year went by, but what we did with the year we were given. You see, each year is a gift from God, whether it seems to crawl by like a snail or flash past like lightning. Whether it is wracked with pain, is full of triumph, or seems to contain some of each. Those who use every moment for God and his glory will receive a double benefit: they will have a better life, one lived in accordance with God's plan, and with each passing day they will have moved another step closer to the day when they will see God clearly, face to face, in his glory.

Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 reads (in The Message) "I've... concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God. "

This year was a good one. Sure, it had its ups and downs, like any year. In the end, there is one thing that is inevitable, and another that is optional. Getting a year older is inevitable; getting a year wiser is optional. I'd like to think that our students, our teachers, our board, and our parents all did both. I believe that we are learning to recognize that all things are done in God's timing, not ours, and all things are done just exactly the way he wants them done. May God bless you as you finish up this school year. Have a great summer, and we'll see you (except for our seniors!) back here at PCHS next fall.

Got Education?

2010-05-27T08:38:00.000-04:00

My brother, who is a dairy farmer, can easily relate to the farmer who said "The problem with cows is that they don't stay milked." The life of a dairy farmer is one of consistency and repetition: twice a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. When you get a day off, it isn't because the cows aren't getting milked, it's because someone else is doing it.

I hesitate to refer to our students as cows, but there is some similarity between cows and milking, and students and educating. I guess you could say, "The problem with students is that they don't stay educated." They forget what they have been taught, or at least "misplace" the wisdom that we have given them over the years. They seem to develop their own ideas of how things should be done, paying little attention to our concerns and advice. It's hard to blame them really; they are young and the world is at their doorstep. They live with gusto and enthusiasm. They sometimes think they know it all, when really they have so much to learn.

"The problem with students is that they don't stay educated." Maybe it's not really a problem after all, at least not entirely. There is, tucked somewhere between the unbridled joy of seeing students learn and the pain of seeing them make poor choices and even fail, a blessing in not staying educated. It causes us to grow and mature, to develop a more reflective perspective on life, and to be constantly reminded of our reliance on God.

When a milk cow stops being milked, her usefulness in life is, for the most part, over. We too become less useful when we stop being educated. So, here's to education, not only in school but also (and especially) in life. May we (students and adults) keep learning and growing so that we can keep loving and serving. After all, I'm not yet ready to be put out to pasture!

Thoughts on an 80 MB Hard Drive

2010-05-21T08:30:00.001-04:00

It was the early 1990's, though I don't remember the exact year. I was at a friend's house, and he was telling me about how he had recently upgraded his computer. He had doubled his hard drive space, and now he had 300 MB! Yes, 300 megabytes! My computer was limping along with 80MB, but truthfully, that seemed to be enough. I will never forget my comment to him: "300 MB? What will you ever do with that much storage space?" Talk about a lack of vision!

Today is May 21, 2010. With hindsight I can see how shortsighted my comment was. I focused on what was on my hard drive, not what could be on my hard drive. I focused on the present, with no thought to where I could be in the future. It is almost humorous to think now of how far we have come since the days of 80 MB hard drives. Now we speak in terms of gigabytes and even terabytes. Megabytes have become like pennies; sure, they are still part of the currency, but who really takes the time to count them?

There is always a tension between the reality of the day and our vision for the future. I am a very practical person, and I insist that things work in reality, not just in theory. Yet today I make a plug for vision. Twenty years ago my 80 MB hard drive was working fine, thank you. I didn't need anything bigger. Yet in today's world I would have trouble fitting my vacation photos on the drive, let alone the program needed to view them. At Providence we are often caught between the reality of today and our vision for tomorrow. It is important that we do not neglect one for the other, for they are both critical. As we finish up what has been a challenging yet very good school year, I am compelled to look ahead and dream of where we might be in two years and five years and ten years. And when I do look ahead, I am encouraged, for the same hand of God that has guided for eight years will guide for eighteen and for eighty. We will change, but he will not. And in that reality we begin to understand why we must have vision, for even when the shadows of the day make it difficult to look ahead, we clearly see our God, like the pillar of fire that led the Israelites, in front making all things plain.

Losing a Friend I Never Met

2010-05-06T10:59:00.000-04:00

See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land. (Song of Solomon 2:11-12)

Every spring for what seemed like a hundred years, legendary Tiger broadcaster Ernie Harwell opened the baseball season with those words from the Bible. Ernie, a devout Christian, died this past Tuesday evening, and part of me died too. My childhood and even adult summer memories are filled with his soothing call of a Tiger game, and I actually shed a tear for a man whom I never met, yet who was somehow my friend. As others have recalled their memories of Ernie, they usually have nothing to do with how he called a game, though he did have some well-known lines. Almost always it comes down to who he was, how he cared for others, and his humility. It is the humility part that seems to amaze most observers. How many famous people remain humble? Yet to the last of his 92 years he put God first and others ahead of himself. He said repeatedly that he was ready to meet God; I have a suspicion that God was pleased to welcome Ernie to his new home.

I wonder how I will be remembered. Will others look at my accomplishments or my character? Will people care that I simply gave, or that I gave because I cared? We are blessed at our school by many people who give of time, talents, and resources because they care, not because they are looking for earthly glory or praise. May we all, like Ernie Harwell, serve our community with humility, so that when we are “looooong gone,” others will remember us not for what we did, but for who we were.

A Ministry of Injustice

2010-03-18T09:40:00.000-04:00

I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days during their early adult life. Darkness would make them more appreciative of sight; silence would teach them the joys of sound. - Helen Keller

In recent weeks in the country of Morocco, Christians have come under attack for sharing their faith openly. Even in a country where witnessing for Christ blatantly has for many years been a cause for expulsion, and where sharing your faith at all is risky business, the news is startling. In one particular situation, orphanage workers were expelled from the country with only 24 hours notice, leaving their adopted children behind in the care of who knows who, even though the orphan ministry had been operating in the country in much the same way for over 50 years. Their crime? They raised the orphans (who, by the way, are the outcasts of society which no one else will care for) in Christian homes, with full approval from the government. Why the change? A new Minister of Justice has taken it upon himself to strictly interpret the law, with an apparent lack of concern for human rights. In this case, it is the children who will suffer the most.

Meanwhile, here in the US, we take for granted so much of what we have. We have the right not only to share our faith openly, but to operate Christian schools. The school I was a part of in Morocco could not be Christian! We have the opportunity here to speak truth into the lives of our students, to share the love and the light of Christ with them. Students, staff, and parents alike too often take it for granted! If students attended my school in Morocco they would begin to long for a Christian environment! We are blessed, to be sure, but if we are not careful, our freedoms will continue to erode, until one day we wake up to a new "Minister of Justice" who will impose injustice on those who wear the name Christian. May we not only enjoy our freedom, but also protect it!

High School Sports and Life

2010-03-11T14:22:00.000-05:00

Life is full of firsts. Your first birthday, your first tooth, your first steps, your first day of school, your first trip to Disneyworld, your first time behind the wheel without mom or dad in the car, your first kiss, your first job, your first car, your first child. Recently the Providence girls’ basketball team gave us some new firsts: our first district title in basketball, our first regional victory, and our first win over Western Michigan Christian. Not bad for five days of work!

I am writing this on Thursday afternoon, five hours before our girls will take the court in our first ever regional final game. I do not plan on doing any rewriting tomorrow based on whether we win or lose tonight, for I can honestly say that I am just as proud of these girls today as I will ever be, no matter how much further they go in the tournament. For, in one of the greatest exhibitions of toughness and determination that I have ever seen, our girls showed in their win over WMC exactly what high school sports should be all about. They laughed and cried, but always together as a team. They fought through plenty of adversity, enough to make many teams quit before ever starting. They persevered through overtime after their opponent tied the score at the buzzer in potentially demoralizing fashion. And in the end they celebrated their victory with hugs and smiles, probably not fully understanding that one day they would look back on this season and smile again.

I love high school sports and you should too, even if you don’t really enjoy sports in general. For high school sports are more like life than perhaps anything else we do here, and the more kids participate, as players and as fans, the better prepared they will be for the life that lays ahead of them.. Go Storm!

Viva la Lefties!

2010-02-25T11:59:00.001-05:00

My wife and one of my daughters are left-handed, meaning that exactly 25% of my family writes with their left hand. This is almost double the percentage in the general population, which is around 13%. If it is true that left handed people are the only one's in their right minds, then I guess my family has been doubly blessed. But most of the time my wife does not consider it a blessing to be left handed in a right handed world (despite the fact that she can celebrate with her left handed friends on August 13, International Left Handers Day). While 13% of the population might be left handed, 99.9% of the world is designed for right handed people. I found this out when I hurt by right thumb a couple weeks ago. Try starting your car with your left hand! You have to be a contortionist just to reach around the steering wheel. The doctor who stitched up my cut was left handed but was trying to cut the stitches with a right handed scissors. It is not easy being left handed at school either. How about adapting to a right handed desk, a right handed pencil sharpener, and even a right handed mouse. For Pete's sake, even potato peelers are right handed.

We may not have very many left handed students in our school, but we do have some who often feel like they are left handed in a right handed world. What seem like simple learning tasks to most of us just don't come easily to them. It isn't any easier for them to do the math or read the story than it is for a left handed person to write with their right hand. They try to cope, but every day is a struggle. What can we do to help?

That's a tough question. Here's something we should not do. There was a time, not so long ago, when left handed people were forced to be right handed. Left handedness was actually seen as a disease that needed curing! Struggling in school is not a disease, either! So, don't treat it as one by trying to fix it with a miracle cure. In all likelihood it will take considerable time and effort, just as it would for me to learn to write with my left hand. I believe that given enough time I could learn, but if you judged my first attempts and compared them with others who were writing with their dominant hand, you would first laugh and then you might give up on me!

PCHS is not here to turn left handed students into right handed ones. We are here to help students develop the gifts God has given them, and use those gifts in service to him. So, here's to left handedness and the uniqueness God gives to each on of us!

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

2010-02-05T08:59:00.000-05:00

Last night one of our students, a freshman named Kyle, was hit by a car while crossing M-82 just east of the school on his snowmobile. The car was traveling an estimated 55 miles per hour, hitting Kyle's snowmobile directly on its right side. Kyle was thrown from the snowmobile, hit the windshield (smashing it completely), and was thrown 15 feet into the ditch. Miraculously, Kyle had absolutely no serious injuries and may even return to school this afternoon. When the accident happened, there were many students still in the building. As you can imagine, tension was high as students waited for word on his condition. They prayed and they cried as they waited, and, like all of us, sighed with relief and gave thanks to God when they heard that he was going to be fine. Later in the evening, their Facebook posts indicated not only their thankfulness to God, but their sure and unwavering belief that it was God who protected Kyle. How could someone doubt the existence of God after hearing of God's obvious protection of Kyle? They are right, for God's saving of Kyle's life was certainly miraculous. But what if God had not protected Kyle? Would God's existence have then been doubted? Would his goodness have been questioned?

This morning, a substitute teacher at our school told the heart wrenching story of her mother's battle with cancer. She told of the pain and the heart ache, the physical and emotional anguish that the entire family went through, and the ultimate loss of her mother's life. Her testimony of how God worked in her life through her mother's illness was at the same time encouraging and heartbreaking. Why did God allow this to happen? Why did he choose not to heal? Is he really there? Is he still good?

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Fifteen years ago we used to say that a lot in church and in other Christian "circles." Though it is no longer a common expression, we know it is still true. God is good... sometimes he gives us everything we hoped for; All the time... sometimes the pain in our lives is almost too much to bear. All the time... sometimes he miraculously protects; God is good... while other times we are not spared from injury. God is good... sometimes he heals; All the time... and sometimes - dare I say often - he lets the disease take hold and bring death. I have no deep theologically sound explanation for why this is. I just know that it is. But I also know that God is good all the time, and that my gratitude to him is not and cannot be dependent upon my circumstances. If it were, my life would be a yo yo, moving with monotonous rhythm as each passing event yanks me up, then down, then up, then down. I refuse to live like that. Instead, I will be radical in my gratitude, giving thanks to God in all circumstances, for he alone is good, and he alone is God. Today I give thanks to the God who saved Kyle's life and the God who allowed cancer to take the life of Carissa's mom. I thank him not for these events, but for the fact that he was in control of these events, and that he is in control of all events. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thes. 5: 16-18). The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1:21b)

To Haiti and Beyond

2010-01-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

By now, everyone has heard about the devastation caused in Haiti by a massive earthquake. Disasters of this magnitude don’t happen everyday (and we should be thanking God for that), so it is natural that our attention should be drawn to an event that is so cataclysmic that the death toll is estimated to be at least 50,000 people and the capital city has practically been leveled. We typically respond quickly to these types of events, as we should (see Give Your Age for Haiti in the Storm Bulletin to see how PCHS is responding and how you can get involved.) The truth is, however, we live in a country where almost without exception the physical needs of those far from us are greater than the needs of those close to us. This is the reality of living in America. To put it simply, we have and much of the world has not. Acting as the hands and feet of Christ should exemplify who we are, not only how we respond when someone’s cry is loud enough. Reaching out to Haiti is what we should be doing today; reaching out to the world is what we should be doing always.

On Donating Blood

2010-01-06T13:05:00.000-05:00

Today I tried to give blood at the PCHS blood drive. Last night I almost gave blood while driving. In both cases, not a drop was shed. Today I was disappointed, last night I was relieved. I guess that has something to do with how the blood would have been shed.

Today, I would have gladly given a pint of my blood so that others could have the blood they so desperately need. Despite the fact that my blood is worthy of such sacrifice (at least in my humble opinion), the Red Cross did not see it that way, and told me to come back in 18 months, when there would be enough time between blood donation and my former life in Africa. I have to admit that it is a little sad to really want to give blood, but be refused. I was not alone in this rejection, as I saw other fine people also being turned away.

Last night I was in a car accident on M-120 when another driver pulled out in front of me and I couldn't stop. The front end of my poor little Fusion was demolished, but my seat belt and air bag protected me well, and I went home with just a few scratches and bruises. The other driver was only slightly more injured, having a few cuts on his head, which is somewhat miraculous considering I hit him almost directly on the driver's side door. I did, in all honestly, ask the question "is this the end" in the 1.73 seconds between realization of impending impact and the actual collision. At the same time, I felt a strange sense of peace, knowing that I could be very close to seeing Jesus. But it clearly was not my time, and I'm grateful to have the continued opportunity to serve Jesus right where I am. That's because He made the ultimate blood donation, the one that paid the price for you and for me, and that gives us all the incentive we should ever need to serve others.

When we donate blood at a blood drive, it is an act of service to those in need. When Jesus donated his blood on the cross, it was the one act of service that gives meaning to all the others.

He Came!

2009-12-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have now officially become a man of the 21^st century. I attended a fashion show. Don’t get too excited though – I still refuse to wear pink or carry a “man” purse.

How in the world did I end up at a fashion show? It was Adelynn’s fault, to be honest! See, our youngest daughter has spent quite a bit of time at DeVos Children’s Hospital over the past nine months, so when the hospital held its annual fashion show benefit, they asked if Adelynn and six other patients would model kid’s clothing during part of the program. Well, that sounded kind of exciting to us, but since neither Stacy nor I had actually ever been to a fashion show, we had no idea what we were getting into! Needless to say, we felt a little out of place. Affluent benefactors strutting around, drink in one hand, appetizer in the other – not exactly our cup of tea! And speaking of appetizers, for the most part I had absolutely no idea what I was eating. I did recognize the pizza, and the mushrooms looked vaguely familiar. I have traveled far to experience different cultures. Who would think that I could feel so out of place in Grand Rapids!

I wonder if Jesus felt out of place as he became a man and entered our world. I wonder if the food tasted funny or the clothes looked ridiculous. I wonder if he silently laughed at our many strange customs. Perhaps not, for he knew (and knows) his creation intimately. He was not surprised by what he experienced. In fact, he came knowing full well what he was doing. Yet he came. HE CAME!! How we often take his coming for granted! We speak and sing of his birth but often fail to see the wonder in God becoming man and coming to our world. This Christmas, remember the energizing splendor of those two words: He came! He came for you, for me, for all people. He came to save! He came to die! He came to live again! HE CAME!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Providence Christian High School. During this Christmas season, may you feel the presence of the One who left his throne of glory and came to earth for us.

A Learning Community - Our Mission, Part 2

2009-12-03T10:13:00.000-05:00

Providence Christian High School exists to provide a Christ-centered learning community....

In the last issue of the Storm Bulletin, I took a feeble stab at what it means to be a Christ-centered school. The more I think about it, the more I realize how difficult it is to maintain "Christ-centeredness" over any period of time. With that in mind, I welcome your input as we try to live out our Christian faith at PCHS!

This week I'd like to consider for a few moments what a learning community is. The two words work well together, but are worthy of being discussed separately.

Learning: Learning has sometimes been defined this way: The act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill. I've been in a lot different schools in many different countries over the years. On more than one occasion I have spent time in classrooms built for 15 but holding 40, often with no desks or chairs, and one under-trained teacher standing up front telling the students to "repeat after me." Not exactly a place conducive to learning, yet even there, some knowledge and skills were gained, given enough time and effort. But that is not the way that we want to define learning at PCHS. We are looking instead to create an environment where significant knowledge and critical thinking skills can be gained, to a degree that allows our students to not only succeed academically, but more importantly to grow spiritually, so that they can impact the world for Christ.

Community: Nowhere is the concept of community more important than in a school. A school is a cooperative venture involving parents, students, staff, and community members. If any one of these critical links breaks or is weakened, the entire chain is weakened. Obviously, then, we must work together to be successful. But community means more than working together. It also means caring for each other, loving each other, and supporting each other, through good times and bad. It means constructively and lovingly pointing out that which needs correction. One of my favorite quotes goes like this: Criticism is pointing out flaws. Correction is pointing out potential. Community is all about helping others reach their potential by using the unique talents that God has given each one of us. As Paul writes in I Cor. 12:12, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." And so it must be with our school, if we are truly to be a Christ-centered learning community.

On Being Christ-Centered - Our Mission, Part 1

2009-11-19T15:16:00.000-05:00

As we head full steam toward Christmas break, I would like to spend some time over the coming weeks examining our mission statement. I'll break it into smaller, "bite size" pieces so that we can better understand the document that lies at the very core of everything we do at PCHS.

Providence Christian High School exists to provide a Christ-centered learning community....

What exactly is a "Christ-centered learning community"? This phrase captures three very important aspects of a Christian school: it must be Christ-centered, it must be a learning environment, and it must be a community. There is a significant amount of overlap of these three aspects, yet they can also be examined individually. Today I will tackle just the first aspect: our school community must be Christ centered.

Our school is and must always be Christ-centered. It must be evident to anyone walking through our doors that we are a Christian school. It must be reflected in more than just our chapel services and Bible classes; it must be evident in the way we love and respect others, the way we serve our community (both our school community and the Newaygo County community), and the value we give to each member of our school. Teachers must consistently model the love of Christ, they must walk the talk, and their lessons must effectively integrate faith with learning. Students must develop a desire to serve and to share the good news of Christ with others, in addition to a desire to improve academically. A sense of cooperation must be obvious to all, a desire to work through even the most difficult situations with respect, bringing glory to God in all we do. To be Christ-centered means to never forget that Providence Christian High School is completely, without exception, God's school. Everything our school accomplishes is by his grace and through his strength. What a privilege it is to be a part of a school which is Christ-centered! May we never take it for granted!

I Can't Wear This?!!

2009-11-11T11:08:00.000-05:00

Adam and Eve had it easy before the fall. They had no dress code to worry about....

As long as there are clothes I suppose there will be dress codes, and as long as there are dress codes, there will be disagreements about what is appropriate to wear. The truth is, as long as there are schools, dress code will always be an issue. Not that this is entirely fair, mind you. We do not exist to make sure that students wear what we want them to wear; however, you just can't get around the fact that, in a school at least, there must be some guidelines for what can be worn, and it is up to the school and the parents to enforce those guidelines as consistently as possible.

As we work through some "dress code issues" at our school, I thought it might be helpful to share the following thoughts:

1. It is absolutely impossible for everyone to agree on the dress code. There are just too many ideas about what is proper and what is not. We can have healthy dialogue on the topic, but we will never agree. The only thing we can do is to agree to live by the code and how it is interpreted by the administration.

2. Yes, consistency is important, but.... A police officer does not stop every speeder. That's impossible! However, it never works to argue that "the car ahead of me was speeding, and in fact was going even faster than I was!" The bottom line is, you were speeding and deserve a ticket. If a student violates the dress code, then there are consequences, even if yesterday a student got away with wearing the same thing. This truth leads us to a related thought...

3. Teachers can't catch every infraction. Enforcement of the dress code is not our most significant concern, and you really don't want it to be either! Teachers have lessons to teach, and they don't generally look for dress code violations, but when they see them, they report them. That means that sometimes we miss something, especially when you consider that...

4. There are a lot of specifics in the dress code. It is hard to remember them all! However, we will certainly be guided by the three major themes of our dress code: modesty and moderation, cleanliness and neatness, and appropriateness.

5. We need parental support to make it work. When the school needs to enforce rules or carry out discipline, support from home makes all the difference! Help your child understand that even though you may not agree with a school rule, you believe it is very important that it is obeyed. Not only will this help our school day run more smoothly, but more importantly will teach your child a life lesson in social responsibility! And one more thing, whenever possible, take a look once in a while at what your child wears to school in the morning - you might be surprised!

This is not the Garden of Eden, and I'm certainly not advocating a return to Adam and Eve's dress code (before or after the fall!). But I do encourage you to read over our dress code and make suggestions that might help us improve. (You can read the dress code in our Student/Parent Handbook.) Just keep my points above in mind when you tell us your ideas!

Sledding Anyone?

2009-11-10T17:09:00.000-05:00

From the Storm Bulletin, Jan. 30, 2009

People my age should not go sledding. People my age should realize this before they go sledding. This way they can prevent broken bones, strained muscles, sore necks, and other unwanted aches and pains. On the other hand, perhaps it is worth it all for the fun of sliding down an icy hill at breakneck speed, especially when you share the sled with a seven year old. I had this experience recently with one of my African-born daughters who had rarely even seen snow, let alone slid down it on a tiny blue disc. Her laughter and yelps of excitement made up for my groans of pain.

Sometimes we all need to be pushed, whether we are students, teachers, parents, or administrators. We need to allow ourselves to be challenged, even to the point of pain, if we wish to grow. I wish there was another way, but experience has told me that very little growth takes place when we are not challenged to be the very best we can be. I appreciate those of you who have pushed me and our staff to be the best we can be. At best this is uncomfortable, at worst it causes significant pain. I read recently that fire either burns or it purifies. My desire, for myself and for our school, is that any flames we go though will purify us like fire purifies gold, instead of leaving us charred and useless. James’ words ring loud and clear: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4). May we keep challenging each other with love and respect so that each of us can be all that God intends for us to be. While I did not enjoy every minute of my sledding experience, I would not trade it for anything. May the same be true of difficulties and challenges we face together in this world.

A Turkey-less Thanksgiving

2009-11-10T17:01:00.000-05:00

From the Storm Bulletin, Nov. 26, 2008

Thanksgiving is a distinctly North American holiday, so you can imagine that trying to celebrate it overseas was often challenging. Buying a frozen Butterball in the grocery store was hardly an option! Of course, that didn't stop us from celebrating, even though our school in Uganda, being an international school, didn't break from school on Thanksgiving. We often would invite our Ugandan friends over in the evening or on the following Saturday to celebrate with us, introducing them to the least secularized of American "religious" holidays. Our second Thanksgiving in Uganda was the most interesting. We had purchased a very large turkey, planning to have many guests. Stacy began the usual process of thawing the big bird in the refrigerator several days before Thanksgiving. This, unfortunately, was about the time that our power decided to go out. And, since the power company was not particularly concerned about our turkey or Thanksgiving, they were in no apparent hurry to get the electricity back on. So, as you can imagine, the turkey flew south, and we were left wondering what to feed our friends. Stacy, being ever the resourceful missionary, put together a wonderful beef stew with biscuits meal, and, since Ugandans aren’t terribly fond of turkey anyway, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We laughed and talked and thanked God for all of his provisions, though most in the room had almost nothing in the line of material possessions, especially compared to what we have here. Of course, it helped that we still had homemade pumpkin pie for dessert. It also helped that we didn’t have to watch the Lions, who were bad even eight years ago.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year with your family and friends, remember that we do not have to be comfortable to be thankful. We do not have to have what we want or be with family and friends. We simply need to have a heart full of thanksgiving to God for who he is and for how much he loves us. And a nice beef stew with biscuits meal enjoyed by a turkey-less group of Ugandans is a great reminder of how much God loves us and what is really important in life.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, giving thanks to the Lord, our God and King, whose love endures forever! We have MUCH to be thankful for!

Seasonal Growth

2009-11-10T16:52:00.000-05:00

From the Storm Bulletin, Nov. 21, 2008

As I write today, I am watching what is, for me, an unfamiliar sight. Snow is falling and life as I know it is slowly changing before my very eyes. What was once green is now white, what was once dry is now wet, the clear has become hazy, and warmth has been replaced by arctic cold. Cautious drivers are now respected (usually) on the roads and grabbing the hand of your friend while walking on slippery sidewalks is seen as prudent, not weird (OK, not for teenage guys). But in a matter or hours, or days, or weeks, or perhaps months, the white will once again become green, the wet will become dry, haze will give way to sunshine, and the frigid air will warm the face. Cautious drivers will once again get run off the road, and holding hands will be reserved only for those in the best of relationships.

That’s nice, you say, but exactly what does it have to do with Providence?

I’m glad you asked. You see, life at school is a bit like the weather: erratic on the one hand, yet perfectly predictable on the other. It can be 75 degrees in November but snow in April (in Michigan, at least). How do we know what to expect (That’s the erratic part) But one thing we do know about the weather: there will be seasons; a winter, a spring, a summer, and a fall. And over the course of the entire year we will see them all (that’s the predictable part). Educational methods, priorities, and even results can vary from day to day and from year to year. And our students (as you may know, since they are your children) are about as unpredictable as the weather! We are never quite sure what we will see on a given day; students will go through distinct seasons in their lives, as we all do, only more pronounced (like the differences in seasons in Michigan compared to the differences in seasons in Morocco). But just as we enjoy both the warmth of summer sunshine and the powerful beauty of a blizzard, there is much to appreciate in our kids and in our school. We may not particularly like blizzards, but you have to admit, they are amazing things to look at. We may not like everything we see in our kids, and we certainly may not like everything we see in our school, but when you take a step back and really contemplate, both are absolutely amazing works of God. He is
clearly the Lord of the weather, the Lord of our school, the Lord of our students, and the Lord of all creation!

Everyday at Providence may not be like soaking up the sun on the beaches of Florida. Some days are just plain cold and snowy. But we can be sure that the weather will change; springtime is coming – it always does. And for that, we can all be grateful to God.

What's Your Story?

2009-11-10T16:46:00.000-05:00

From the Storm Bulletin, Nov. 7, 2008

I recently mentioned that there are some tough questions which we as a school need to be focusing on in the coming months. Discussing, and hopefully answering, questions like “What makes Providence different?” and “How can we help students reach their potential academically, spiritually, and physically?” is crucial to our success. As we tackle these questions, something else becomes equally important: the telling of our stories. Stories about this school and how it came to be; stories about how this school has impacted lives; stories about how Christian education has impacted you. By telling our stories, we can gain a better understanding of why we exist. Let me begin with my story….

I attended Christian schools all the way from kindergarten through college. My parents sacrificed significantly to put each of their eight children through Christian schools. My parents were never rich but somehow always made sure that my brothers and sisters and I were always enrolled in a Christian school. Why did they do that? They could have easily said that the cost was too high and that they could not afford to send us. People would have understood. However, I don’t recall them even considering other options. I never really appreciated their sacrifice until I had kids of my own and started thinking about their education. I asked myself, “is a Christian education worth the cost?” I began to think about the positive role models who shaped me into what I am today. I began to think about the many Christ-like examples who spoke words of everlasting value into my life. It wasn’t so much the Bible curriculum or the chapels that had the longest lasting and deepest impact, nor the strong academic program, although they were important to be sure. It was instead being consistently and constantly surrounded by the values of Christ; it was about hearing in school the same ideals and principles that I heard at home; it was about building a foundation upon which all further learning would rest; it was about being prepared to make a difference in this world after leaving school. To be sure there were kids around me who did not reflect Christ very well! There was the kid who tied my shoelaces together in sixth grade causing me to trip when I stood up, and the one who called me four-eyes when I got glasses. There were the ones in high school who got involved in improper behavior and influenced others negatively. But while I remember those events and those classmates, neither shaped me into who I am today. That was done by my teachers and administrators, who despite their own imperfections consistently challenged me toward living a Christ-centered life. Those positive and daily relationships with Godly role models, spanning many years, made Christian education significant in my life.

So, what’s your story? I’d love to hear about the impact Christian education has had on you and your family. I’d love to hear why you send your children to Providence Christian High School. I would love to hear from parents, teachers, and students about the difference Christian education has made in your lives. By sharing our stories, we encourage each other as well as remind each other (and ourselves) of our common desire to grow and nurture the body of Christ academically and spiritually. Christian education does make a difference! Let’s make some noise so that everyone hears the message!

Refinishing

2009-11-10T16:41:00.000-05:00

As we have resettled here in the states, we have discovered that furniture is not cheap! To save some money, my wife decided to buy some old chairs which we could refinish. After buying 57 packages of sandpaper, a can of varnish remover, gloves, scrapers, wood filler, wood glue, a power sander, and lots of paint, I can honestly say that while our chairs look great, it might have been cheaper to just go out and buy new chairs! It certainly would have been easier!

Working with high school kids is a bit like scraping and sanding and painting those chairs. Over the years, some of our kids have built up several layers of varnish, stain, and paint, layers which protect them but also cover up who they really are. Their self-esteem may have been damaged so that now they expect to fail rather than succeed. They are almost assuredly unsure of themselves and their abilities, no matter how confident they may appear. They might work hard to make sure that people don’t ever see who they really are. They use those layers that have been added over the years to protect and insulate themselves.

And then they come to high school, and we start applying the varnish remover and the sandpaper in an attempt to get down to the beautiful wood underneath. At first we use rough sandpaper, which can be a little painful. Blemishes are exposed, but that’s OK, because only then can we make the necessary repairs. Over the years we begin using a finer paper, until finally the wood is smooth and ready to be repainted or restained by the world they enter. It is our prayer that Providence will be a productive and dynamic part of this process; that we can do our share of refinishing so that the final product will be God-honoring. That’s why we are here – every teacher, every staff member, and every volunteer – to help make something beautiful out of every student who comes through our doors. By working together as family and school, that time consuming “project” we call a teenager will mature (yes, it’s true!) and grow and bring glory to God.

May we keep this focus as we work together this year. By doing so, we (who in our own way often need to be refined and refinished), bring Glory to the God who created each of us in His own image.

Winning isn't Everything...is it?

2009-11-10T16:17:00.000-05:00

School athletic programs have a long history in the American educational system. The phenomenon is rather unique, however, as school systems in most countries do not sponsor athletic programs (athletic programs are instead handled by local "clubs.") Having experienced both sides of the coin, I can say unequivocally that there is great value in a school athletic program. Many of us, unfortunately, easily take it for granted, even those of us who participated in sports programs as students. Our recent winter sports banquet prompted me to think a bit about why we have an athletic program. There is more to it than just “doing what we’ve always done!” There are at least six main philosophical reasons for having a well-developed competitive sports program at Providence.

The athletic program at PCHS promotes:

1. Fitness. What better way to stay in shape for a lifetime than to learn how to play a sport (or two)? Our goal is that PCHS graduates will maintain a lifestyle of physical fitness, thereby taking excellent care of the body God has given them. Participating in sports can help instill in students a love of the game which will inspire them to keep playing for years to come.

2. Healthy Competition. We believe that competition is good for everyone, no matter their athletic abilities, as long as it is kept in the proper perspective. While we strive to win, it is our primary goal to compete to the best of our abilities, to give 100% every time we play. In doing so, we challenge ourselves to be the best we can be, and to use well the talents and abilities that God has blessed us with.

3. Fairness. We are committed to playing by the rules. This means that not only will we demand that our athletes play fairly, but that as an institution we will follow all the guidelines and rules that we are expected to follow, including all MHSAA rules. Our coaches will never ask players to break rules, but will instead encourage them to respect those rules. As a Christian school, this respect is even more important, since we represent Christ wherever we go.

4. Sportsmanship. Not only will we play by the rules, but we will win with humility and lose with dignity. We will keep our emotions under control, even during the most stressful times, and will always respect our teammates and coaches, the opposing players, coaches, and fans, and the officials. We will expect our fans to do the same.

5. Teamwork. Life is about working together with others. Most of the time, those “others” are very different from who we are – they have different skills, likes, interests, and desires. Yet, to succeed as a team, everyone must be included and everyone must work together. It is, in fact, those differences that make the team strong. After all, could a basketball team be successful with a roster of 5’3” point guards?

6. Variety. Though we are a small school, it is our goal to provide a wide variety of athletic options for our students, so that many students can participate, and so that athletically gifted students can thrive. We believe that our athletic program is one of our best tools for teaching lessons about life. In fact, coaching is one of the very best ways to teach! Sports can teach life lessons about how to handle adversity and success, how to work hard to be the best you can be, how to lead, and how to effectively work together with others. Let’s keep all of this in mind whenever we participate, as athletes, coaches, or fans, in sporting events at PCHS.

Splng Duznt Cownt!

2009-11-10T16:05:00.000-05:00

Try reading the following:

A rceent sudty funod taht it deosn't meattr waht odrer the ltteers of a word are in, the olny ipmraotnt tihng is taht the fsirt and lsat ltteers are in the crrocet piotiosn.

I am quite certain that you had an easier time reading that than I did typing it! Here's one thing we can learn from that study: our brains can do amazing things! But here's something else that is important as we work with teenagers: we may not always see things the same as our kids, but if we work hard enough at communicating with each other, both sides can be understood. So what if the order of the letters is all mixed up? And who cares if the music isn't the same, and the clothes are different (way different), and the sleeping patterns don't match with ours? Don't give up on your child, and eventually the letters will fall into place. In the meantime, keep trying to understand each other!

A Vision for PCHS

2009-11-10T15:07:00.000-05:00

The following was written for the Storm Bulletin in May, 2009...

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to share my vision for Providence during the Annual Meeting. It is very useful to think beyond today to what we envision our school to be like in the coming years. A very strong foundation has already been laid by all those who have gone before, and the future looks very bright. To summarize my vision, I’ve listed the five areas of primary focus that will drive our decision making in the coming years. If you would like to read the entire text, we’ve posted it on the download page on our website at www.pchsmi.org.

1. We will be academically excellent. While we are an extension of the home and the church, we would be mistaken to think that we could set low academic standards as long as we were doing everything else well. While above all, what matters most is a child’s relationship with God, it is clear that as a school we are mandated to challenge and encourage our students to develop and use the intellectual gifts that God has given them, for his honor and glory, and the benefit of mankind. We will revise our curriculum, train our teachers, and continually strive to improve our academic program. We will not stop with accreditation but will use that as a building block for academic success in the future.

2. We will develop Christian character in our students and lead them toward growth in their walk with the Lord. This is on equal footing with our desire to be academically excellent, for without it we are worthless as a Christian school. We will take every opportunity to help students grow spiritually. For those students who do not have a personal relationship with the Lord, we will encourage them in that direction. We will build relationships with students so that we can effectively speak truth into their lives. We will not in any way neglect spiritual growth in our pursuit of academic or athletic excellence.

3. We will become known as a school of servants. We are commanded to be doers of the Word, not only hearers. We will be out in our community, both in group school organized activities, and in individual, non-school organized activities. We will rake lawns, pick up garbage, play bingo with elderly people, and shovel snow, not because it is required of us, but because we owe it to our Lord. We will do all we can to instill in our students a desire to serve, not just while in high school, but throughout their lifetimes.

4. We will be athletically excellent. We consider the athletic program to be integral to the success of our school as a whole. Physical development, leadership development, and learning how to win gracefully and lose with dignity are just a few of the reasons for this. A positive and successful athletic program is also good for school morale and for our standing in the community. At the same time, the academic and spiritual growth of our students will always outweigh the importance of athletic success.

5. We will do all of the above while treating each other with love and respect. If we are academically, spiritually, and athletically excellent, but fail to love each other in the process, we have not been successful. If we shovel every driveway and rake every yard in all of Newaygo County, but fail to care for each other, we have failed. We are a landmark on the bend in the road, showing the people of this community the way of Christ and the way to Christ. In every proceeding, in every event, in every meeting, we must reflect Christ. Board and staff must love and respect each other; parents and administration must love and respect each other. We are called to do this; it is an expectation, not a request.

I welcome your thoughts and comments as together we formulate and refine a vision for this school.

Finishing well

2009-11-10T14:24:00.000-05:00

Eddie Boersma died last week at the age of 97 1/2. That means nothing to 97.5% of you, but it means a lot to me and anyone else associated with YMCA Camp Pendalouan in Montague. When Stacy and I were camp counselors together at Camp Pendalouan in the mid-80s (yes, another camp romance), Eddie was working at the camp at the ripe old age of 72. To a 21-year-old like me, he seemed ancient already then! He was so filled with energy that when he hiked with the kids (which was often) we all had a hard time keeping up with him! I was amazed to return to the US last year and find out that Eddie was still alive, and in fact had been involved with the camp until he was in his mid 90s. What a blessing he was to so many over his 60+ years of selfless work with young people!

Eddie’s life reminds me of the message of John Piper in his book "Don't Waste your Life." I'll let him summarize: “Consider a story from the February 1998 edition of Reader’s Digest, which tells about a couple who “took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells.” At first, when I read it I thought it might be a joke. A spoof on the American Dream. But it wasn’t. Tragically, this was the dream: Come to the end of your life—your one and only precious, God-given life—and let the last great work of your life, before you give an account to your Creator, be this: playing softball and collecting shells. Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: “Look, Lord. See my shells.” That is a tragedy. And people today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. Over against that, I put my protest: Don’t buy it. Don’t waste your life.”

Eddie Boersma didn’t embrace that tragic dream, and I don’t want to embrace it either. Though I’m still far from retirement, I can see even now how easy it is to get caught up in myself and my own needs. We are blessed to be surrounded at Providence by countless people who have chosen to spend their lives wisely, investing their time, energy, and money into God’s Kingdom; people who don’t see retirement or wealth as opportunities for selfish gain, but as opportunities for investing in others. To all of you, I say thank you for not wasting your lives, but instead, like Eddie, making a difference in the lives of so many. Those of us looking on are inspired by your selfless devotion to God, his people, and Christian education.