Comfort for hard times

"He guides me along the right paths for his names's sake." Psalm 23:3

On a warm autumn day, I found a pair of gloves. Snowmobile gloves actually, for sale for only a $1 at a garage sale though they were apparently never used. The need for air-conditioning and a cool drink was much more apparent that day compared to the need for gloves guaranteed for -20 or colder. My hands were sweating as I put them on. Nevertheless, I bought them and placed them where my cold hands would reach for them when winter first appeared.

Those gloves have been a source of immense help to me in the last number of months already as I shovel snow, go out on yard duty, or move about in the deep freeze of winter. They are the best pair I have ever owned. Tasks are made more possible, bearable and even comfortable by their addition to my life. I now count them as vital part of being prepared to face whatever the day brings.

I’ve been reminded in the last week that scripture functions for us in the same way. Many of the words of comfort, direction, and meaning from God’s Word are read first (and much more often) in circumstances of normal routine and peaceful life before they are pulled out in time of strife and anguish.  Much like the gloves that were added to my life more for the future rather than the present – we do well to wear in to our soul the familiar groves of scripture that will come to the surface by God’s prompting when adversity or trials blindside us.

Preparing our students in this way is a key part of what we do here at LCES. God’s Word is opened frequently, in all subjects and circumstances. Psalm 23 was the focus of this morning’s chapel as everyone present was challenged to lean in on these words to console us, orient us, and renew us. Much like a sheep that has every possible need met in the shepherd whose voice alone is a source of comfort, God’s Word is a “lamp for [our] feet, and a light for [our] path” – even on the darkest of days.

Grace, peace, and comfort to us all. SJ

Where does a new year put us?

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  Psalm 91:!

Future LCES students born in this new year will be grade eight graduates in 2029. We are just as close to 2030 as we are 2000. One hundred years ago this year Einstein laid out his newly discovered theory of relativity, and 200 years ago Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo. Estimates point to Canada’s population pushing past 36 million this year  and the  world population will reach 7.3 billion by the time we see 2016.

A frequent tradition in my childhood home that I recall well was reading Psalms 90 & 91 shortly before and after midnight on New Year’s Eve.  All board games, movies, and everything stopped for these two chapters with a prayer in between as the bells tolled midnight. While I may have preferred then that it be left out, I now count those times as foundational in learning how to view God and time. These bookends of wisdom remind us not to be swept up in the immediacy of believing that only the short period of time behind and before us matter and that anything can happen.  God existed before mountains were created (90:2) and will protect us and “with long life” he will satisfy us. (90:16).

This new year will take LCES further along the road of faith and ask us to respond to events that may be a surprise to us, but not to God.  We will see needs arise; God promises he will meet all of them. We will see moments of joy; God rejoices in our delight in him and his world. We will face adversity; God promises he will be there.  We will seek out his will; God promises he will lead and guide us. We will cry out; God promises to hear us and answer.

Welcome back to  “Walking in the Way of Love” in January.                 SJ

P.S. Check out our grade four class modelling New Year's resolutions this morning in the first 2015 chapel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUT45aNORUI&feature=youtu.be

Amazing Peace

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play;

In music sweet their tones repeat,

“There’s peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor does He sleep,

For Christ is here; His Spirit near

Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”

      -Henry W. Longfellow –

   

The journey to the manger in the school Christmas program can be anything but peaceful. Do soloists know their parts? Where are those props? How do you set up those risers again? Do we have enough programs? It’s not hard to end up in a spot where singing “peace on earth” feels like a living contradiction to what we feel. Perhaps that is because of the tyranny of the urgent that can consume us. Or, perhaps because we watch the “nations raging together” (Psalm 2:1) and our doubtful hearts worry that dark skies and dark hearts are winning the day.

Christmas events, like those of this week at LCES, remind us that our faith is characterized not only by the “Amazing Grace” we sing of often, but also “Amazing Peace.” Though they may be fleeting, the moments in our lives where we experienced that peace are worth pausing for. Quiet snow falling, a sleeping infant, a musical moment of awe and reflection, or the hum of the road in a darkened car returning from a family outing - these all are a foretaste of the “perfect peace” that will one day characterize every day, every place, for every one of God’s children.  We experienced one of those moments as a school family this morning with Jeremy Zeyl sharing “O Holy Night” to a gym full of students who felt that tangible peace for a moment. Perhaps, peace is something you feel more than you understand.

May God grant us moments of that “peace that transcends understanding” as we tell the most amazing story: God took on flesh and became one of us. Now that is a source of amazing peace!                                                           

SJ

Words in a hallway

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Overheard in the primary side of the school, following a nutrition break:

“What happened on the playground this recess was not very nice and wasn’t fair.” - student

“That’s not walking in the way of love, is it?” – another student, directed at the teacher

“Yeah, God says that we’re supposed to walk in love!” yet another student.




Such words from some of our youngest students tell us that our school theme “Walk in the Way of Love” from Ephesians 5:2 has made an impression on them. Praise God! For 14 weeks already this year students have been attending Monday morning chapels, heard teachers share God’s word with them, and learned to live in community as they experienced moments of harmony and conflict.

We certainly experience both of them in the pulse of daily life here at our school, although we are very grateful that moments of peace, joy, and contentment far outnumber times of conflict. Conflict does not bring us joy, yet the Christian school knows that some of the most formative and direction-setting moments can often come from handling conflict well. The manner in which we work through conflict speaks much about what matters most to our school.

Years ago, on a highway billboard in giant letters, I read “Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.”

So what characterizes conflict managed well, by peaceful means? Here are some ideas:

 There is always a best and worst time to deal with conflict. Generally, a period of pause and reflection before sweating out the resolution of conflict together is best.

 Avoiding conflict comes at its own cost.

 The ultimate goal of conflict resolution is unity, not victory.

 The pathway towards resolution begins with small groups, not big ones.

 Resolving conflict may require vulnerability and humility, but should not require embarrassment or eroding the value of another person.

 True conflict resolution ends not with tolerance, but forgiveness.

 While God delights in unity which brings Him glory, his opponent delights in anything that can frustrate and hinder the process.

May God bless our efforts to live in faithfulness together. SJ

What’s new about Christmas?

A Christmas tree has been carefully setup in the hallway, songs from our Christmas program are on our children’s lips, and the twinkle of festive lights warms the atmosphere in the The Learning Spot.  The first moments of advent are exciting at a Christian school – but is that because it is familiar and comfortable like a warm cozy blanket, or is it a rush of hope and help like a strong beam of a lighthouse cutting through the fog of a fallen and often dark world? How do we approach advent each year as something that is new and meaningful? A writer I follow, Chris Schoon, shared this over the weekend and I thought it too good to hold on to myself. Allow me to share:

 “….faces and hands pressed against the frosty window, our kids keep watch for that first glimpse of red brake lights lighting up, while Grandma’s burgundy Honda slows, making the turn into our driveway. Any moment they will abandon their post in a flurry of singular delight: “Grandma is here! Grandma is here!” The ensuing mad scamper of children dashing through living room and dining room, then kitchen and back hall will leave couch cushions crumpled, once neatly folded blankets askew, and our pets in a confused scurry, unsure of whether they should hide under the table, join the joyful delight, or courageously defend our door. 

In a way, our kids’ anticipation, rooted in the memory of Grandma’s previous visits, fills the Advent season as we both remember Jesus Christ’s birth and anticipate his second coming. These rhythms of remembering and anticipating provide the primary cadence for this season. Advent is neither a nostalgic longing for a past that has been lost nor a naïve fixation on a utopia that remains always out of reach. Rather, by looking back at what God has already done and looking ahead at what God has promised yet to do, Advent roots us deeper in the assurance that God is with us – even here, even now.”  (http://muddiedprayers.com)

Our participation in all things Christmas at LCES is so much more than lights, carols, and chocolate. We celebrate the gift of a first-born son, given to redeem this world that our students study. We praise God for the gift of a Saviour whose grace allows them find their place on earth to use their gifts and talents. As part of advent we delight in the promise that he will come again and that he makes "all things new."(Revelation 21:5)  Now that is something new worth celebrating!  (SJ)

What does a well have to do with learning?

A new source of water is nearing completion in Uganda that has a connection to LCES. Students last year at our school organized means to raise funds to give a gift of gratitude and service to others in the world. A new way of living will become reality for this village in Uganda with the addition of a 100 foot well giving safe, life-giving water in ways unaffected by drought. In a country where 1 in 3 do not have access to good drinking water, this new addition will increase health and build up a community as God intended it to be enjoyed by His children.

Why does a Christian school give?

First, helping students to give in a manner like this is one of the ways we teach our children to have a spirit of thankfulness for all God has given them.  Indeed, “…out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) A mindset of gratitude that can’t help but turn into giving is a vital lesson to be learned. Giving is an act of letting heart shape action.

Second, we wish to have students give to these annual student service projects to help our young learners realize the highest directive in learning – to love one another. Our school year theme from Ephesians 5 implores us to “Live a Life of Love” and we help students ground that into practice when they realize that learning is for serving.

Finally, we give to connect our students with a world that is full of people who do not share an existence that is our everyday reality. LCES students are experiencing the life that many children in the world dream of. The vast majority of same-age children in the world do not live as LCES students do and we would be remiss if we did not find tangible ways for our students to be drawn into the Christ’s command to “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17) God’s kingdom is advanced when even our youngest learners have their eyes opened to seek out the means to think of others before self.   SJ

(For well details, see www.thewaterproject.org/track  and enter well # 40391)

What's the true story? A parent's perspective.

Today’s piece comes from a current parent. I trust you will be blessed by the reflective portrayal of the importance of what we do at LCES.  SJ

Standing at a check-out at the supermarket, one can't help but read the headlines of recent magazine publications: “Dress for Success”, “8 Money-Saving Tips” and more. It makes one wonder: “What is success?” and “Why is saving money the cover line of a magazine with contents enticing you to spend, spend, spend?”

We are bombarded by mass media telling us how to dress, how to look, and how to spend our money. The media, with all its avenues of influence, invites us into a story - complete with pictures- of what the good life looks like. Christian parents must be diligent and deliberate in their work to oppose a fallen world’s messages about what the story is really all about. We must help our children understand that they do not have to surrender to the premise that success is defined by the size of their house, body, and paycheque. Christians are part of a different and continuing story.

I am thankful that LCES is a space that has been created and sustained by three generations of faithful supporters to tell this story: the story of a good and loving God who created the world, loves His world, died to save it, and is restraining sin's destruction through the work of His followers. LCES continues to be a space where children are nurtured not only to hear God's story, but also to see themselves as participants in the story – identifying what has gone wrong in God's good world, seeking to restore it to God's original intent and telling others about Jesus, the world's redeemer, who makes all things possible.

At our school, the simple and repetitive practice of opening each day in devotions in a way that affirms that our World belongs to God: He is where we start our day, and everything and everyone is important enough to lift before God in prayer.  A Christian school also knows that every piece of the curriculum is only a part of a bigger picture of God's complete world. The skills learned in mathematics is not only essential because numbers matter if we are to function in society and get a good job, but because it is a good gift from God given to equip us to enjoy, respond and continue to create goodness in the world. Our theme this year is “Walk in the Way of Love” which is brightly displayed in the school's front entrance. What a wonderful counter-cultural message to be greeted with! Have you ever seen this headline on a magazine at a check-out stand? 

Anita Plat-Kuiken