January 8th, 2009

Where is our focus?

I have recently been reading a book, Calm My Anxious Heart, and one chapter is on our focus in life. The author, Linda Dillow, shared a story that I would like to share with you.

“Throughout her life, Mattie cherished and depended on the Word of God, committing to memory many verses from her worn King James Bible. Her life verse was 2 Timothy 1:12: “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

As Mattie grew older, her memory faded and details eluded her. Even the beloved faces of her family slipped from recognition. Finally, she was confined to bed in a nursing home. When her family and friends would visit Mattie, they would find her still quoting verses of scripture, especially her well-loved life verse. But with the passing of time, even parts of this most special verse began to slip away. “I know whom I have believed,” she would say. “He is able to keep…what I have committed…to Him.” As Mattie grew weaker, the verse grew even shorter; “What I have committed…to Him.”

As Mattie lay dying, her voice became so weak that her family had to strain to hear the whispered words. There was only one word left of her life verse: “Him”. Mattie whispered it again and again as he neared the gates of heaven. “Him…Him…Him.” He was all that was left. He was all that was needed. Her life focus was Him.”

As we enter the new year let’s keep our focus on HIM!

October 9th, 2008

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres I Corinthians 13:4-7

Recently my husband I went to see the movie “Fireproof”. It is an excellent story about a marriage that is heading towards divorce and the husband is challenged by his father to take 40 days to try to restore the marriage. This 40 day challenge is based on a book called Love Dare. I received the book as a gift and I have been challenged by its premise that love is patient and kind.

All of us are challenged day to day with various situations, people, or our general circumstances in life to show the love of Christ. In our self-centered culture, it is critical that we represent Jesus Christ to our spouse, children, neighbors, co-workers, and strangers. What an amazing difference we could make if we would just act and speak like Jesus. A dear friend and mentor shared with me that the reason our children are not following the Lord is because we have not shown them who Jesus is by our own actions. As Christians we should reflect Christ in all that we do.

I am personally challenged to be more Christ-like! I want every student who walks the halls of BG Christian to see Christ in me so that they will be drawn to HIM. The above verses are powerful and relevant to each of us. Let us all keep following Him so that the world will come to know our Savior.

September 23rd, 2008

This past week I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of seeing my first grandchild being born. What an amazing experience to see my daughter go through a long labor and then see this wonderful little boy, Scott! After this experience, two thoughts went through my mind; first, how could anyone not believe that there is a God and, secondly, the important things in life are not material assets but people.

As in everything that I experience in life, it allows me to think about all of the children that have crossed my path through the years here at BG Christian. What are they doing now? Are they fulfilling their call in Christ? Also, I began to think about our current students. Are we preparing them for the future? Are we laying a firm foundation of Christ and His kingdom? This is the purpose of this school. We want our students to become all that God has created them to become during their lifetime. Right now, Scott is beginning the long race of life, the rest of us are at various points in the race, but all of us have a call from God to complete this race to His glory.

August 8th, 2008

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders."

Psalm 9:1

August is always an exciting time here at school. This week we have had the volleyball and YMCA camps which have kept the noise level high all day long. Parents have been stopping by with their paperwork, teachers are working in their classrooms, and the staff is busy working on everything that will be needed for the first day of school. What a wonderful time of new beginnings!

Every new school year begins with great promise for every person in the school. Teachers desire for the very best for their students; parents want their children to learn and grow in a great environment; students want to do well and have friends and great experiences. We all come with certain expectations.

I have been wondering what God's expectations are for the year. I believe that He wants us first and foremost to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We give Him our heart by putting Him first in everything. We give Him our soul by walking in the Spirit. As we do that, the fruit of the Spirit will flow from us. We give Him our mind by being careful what we expose our minds to. Also, we give Him our mind by training it, studying His word, and His creation. Finally, we give Him our strength by doing our best in everything that we undertake.

As we fulfill God's expectations we will fulfill our own for this next school year. My prayer for each of you is that you will find God in a new and refreshing way and that we will have the very best year here at B.G. Christian.