Thoughts with Staff

Week of October 18, 2010

“I had the privilege of meeting some of the parents at the PTA meeting and realized once again that the most difficult and under-appreciated job on this earth is being a parent.

Most other jobs have schooling or training available, and there’s a reward for doing a job well-done. Not so with parenting. Although there are books available, most parents seem to become parents with little or no preparation. Many times, their own parents are the only role-models they can emulate or not depending on whether they liked or disliked their parents’ parenting style.

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We expect our parents to know how to parent us perfectly and blame them for not doing a good job. We hardly think that perhaps they are struggling to do a good job. Unlike other jobs, parenting results are not always as expected. If they are too lenient, we don’t do what we’re supposed to do. If they are too strict, we rebel and pick only those things they don’t want us to do. They need to have a perfect balance and be wise. They have to know how to manage their own anger and know how to say the right thing at the right time. We want them to be our mentor, our support, our provider, our hiding place, and our encourager WHILE not being in our face all the time, not expecting anything from us, not telling us what to do, and not getting in our way. We sometimes want them to be our doormat and our punching bag.

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When their children go the wrong way or don’t turn out well, parents blame themselves for not doing a good job as parents. They say and do things the best they know how. But, it doesn’t always turn out well. AND parenting is not the only job they do. Most parents have full time jobs and have the burden of not only providing for the basic needs but have enough for their children’s extra-curricular activities too. They also have to tailor their parenting to each child because each child has his/her own personalities. What about all the physical and emotional changes they go through as they grow older? They also have to work hard to keep their marriage strong.

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They give and give up so much for their children. Other jobs, people sometimes quit or change jobs if they don’t like it. However, parents cannot just quit being parents or choose different kids to be their children. Yes, it’s true that goes the other way too. In our eyes, someone else’s parents seem to be perfect but not ours. We cannot trade them in for new parents. Is God not fair? Why did He allow us to be in our respective families?

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First, God is LOVE. He loves us to the point of death on the cross. He is also sovereign and in control over everything.

Second, we are all broken and need a savior and a healer. Our parents are also broken and need God. They cannot satisfy us, and neither can we satisfy them. Each of us need to go to God first and receive His love which He lavishes on us daily. Then, we treat each other with God’s love, pray for each other, and encourage one another.

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Whenever we are discontent, angry, or hurting, let us draw near to God. Our parents, however perfect or imperfect they may be, are gifts from God to us to make us into who God wants us to be. Our attitude towards our parents reflect our heart towards God. Let us ask God to give us His heart and help us to see them through His eyes. Through every relationships and circumstances, we are being chiseled and shaped into His image. Let us look to Him

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“Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.” – Eph 6:1

“Honor your father and your mother as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” – Deu 5:16

“You shall each revere your mother and father, and you shall keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.” Lev 19:3

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- Esther

Week of October 04, 2010

on wednesday when i was driving back home from school i saw this homeless man on the street corner, at first i wanted to give him money, but the light turned green and there were people behind me, i didnt want the people behind to wait and get frustrated with me, so i drove along ignoring the man. while i passed him i started to justify why i didnt give him anything i said to myself “oh if i gave him money he probably would have used it for drugs or alcohol.”
I AM SO DEPRAVED! first, i was worried about if the people behind me would get angry if i gave the man money. i was worried more about myself than the needy man. just thinking about that situation makes me even sadder, i was comfortable in MY CAR with the AC turned on. while he was on the CORNER in the SUN (90 degrees)
second, i started to judge the man even when i DIDNT give him the money.
i am so thankful that the holy spirit showed me this, he revealed to me how wretched and sinful i am!
the man was the “least of my brothers” (Matt 25:40) and i didnt help him.
i hope this challenges and convicts you guys. cause it definitely has for me.

- Pontius

Week of September 18, 2010

Hey, if you’re going through a tough time I just wanted to share a quote one of my seminary professors said during a message.

When you’re in the midst of a trial, it seems as if God has forgotten you or abandoned you, now listen, not only has God not abandoned you, but He may be doing His greatest work in you right at that moment. And if that is true, it is always too soon to give up. - John Hutchison

I hope and pray that you seek God wherever you may be because you are deeply loved by God! He loves us when life is tough. He loves us when the waves of school are crashing in. He loves us when there are family problems. He loves us through it all. You are loved. So seek Him in the hardship, the suffering, and the pain.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 1:6-7

Love you guys!

- P. Steve

Week of August 27, 2010

Week of August 16, 2010

It’s late August. And you know what that means.

The end of summer.

Or maybe more importantly, the end of summer vacation.

Obviously you guys all have your own opinions on the matter. You guys may have had the best summer break of your lives. and maybe you guys had the worst. Perhaps your dreading the beginning of school, or even anticipating it. But let’s consider James’ words and take him seriously when he says:

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this and that.’ ” James 4:13-15

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Let’s wait upon and live in the Lord’s will.

Hope you all have wonderful days today!

-Chris