The Eternal Chain of Survival!

The other day I was recertifying two of our staff members in CPR when I began thinking about the powerful ability CPR gives us as we become a link in the chain of survival and how it teaches us to recognize and respond to someone in need. In the same way we have the opportunity, the responsibility, to recognize and respond to our friends and neighbors who have a spiritual need. In the Old Testament, Joseph told his brothers (Genesis 45:5) And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. God continued to add to the chain of survival in the New Testament by extending eternal life to us by sending Jesus Christ to be our Savior!

Especially during this time of year, we think about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Please join me in praying for our community that we will be able to communicate the truth about Christ’s love and sacrifice as we read in 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. Pray also for our senior high school mission team who will be working this week in Guatemala and bringing the Good New of Jesus Christ to many children!

Keeping it Fresh!

Lately my husband and I have made quite a few visits to the Lansing City Market. As we walk around the vendors, it seems as though everything looks so fresh! Crisp apples, perfectly ripe avocados, crunchy carrots and the best chocolate milk anywhere! Those crisp fresh fruits and vegetables are not spoiled and are full of wonderful flavor. Sometimes I think that I also need more freshness in my spiritual life. Staleness easily invades our relationship with God, while it takes a lot of intentionality and work to keep our fruits of the Spirit fresh. Those fruits are described in Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Wow! That is a great list of fruits to keep fresh in our lives. Please join me this week in praying that God will help us be intentional as we work to keep the fruits of the Spirit fresh!

"R-r-r!"

“R-r-r!”  The student began as he read his story out loud to his fifth grade classmates. As I sat in the back of the classroom listening to the students read their stories, I was pleased with their vivid imaginations and writing skills. It is so incredible to watch preschoolers at the beginning of their education, fifth graders in the midst of their pK-12 education and seniors who are ready to graduate and move onto their next challenge. Our teachers thoughtfully work with each one of our students to help them grow and mature as learners. This year we have focused on integrating faith and Christian principles into the curriculum to give our students a better grounding as they develop a Christian world view. In Daniel 2:21b, it says, “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” As we work in partnership together to raise up your children to be the next generation of Christian leaders, let us join in prayer that God will grant, us and them, wisdom and discernment.

A Great Symmetrical Number!

The odometer turned 105501. Wow! That is a great symmetrical number!  It made me think back to the many symmetrical numbers I celebrated as a child when my dad took our family on road trips across the country.  I took a moment to thank God for giving me such a kind, patient and understanding parent who was so excited about learning that even mathematical things gave us a moment to celebrate together. 

As parents it is difficult  but rewarding to celebrate many seemingly inconsequential moments. As we raise our children to be men and women of God,  our encouragement will help to propel them towards a successful future.  Please join me this week in praying for each other as parents so that we not only nurture our children but we celebrate even their small successes.

Check out this weeks e-letter with a great picture from out Academic Games Team who won the State Tournament in World Card.  They came home with a total of six medals!  Great job to the third through sixth grade students who have worked towards this since September!

Congratulations to our girls’ basketball for winning the Regional Finals!  Their next game will be Tuesday at Jackson High School at 7 pm against Athens High School.

Best wishes to our boys’ basketball team as they play tonight for the District Championship at 7 pm against Morrice.

Take Time to Enjoy God's Beauty!

Yesterday I was looking at some photos I took a couple of months ago of a beautiful multicolored sunrise. Interestingly enough when you look at the beautiful sunrise in a picture which was taken while riding in a moving car zooming along the highway, the photos are a bit blurry, and certainly do not depict God’s handiwork which I saw on that crisp morning. In the same way as we hurry through life we often miss the opportunity to enjoy God’s grace as He works in our lives and in the lives of our children. Our propensity to rush along, multi-tasking, distracts us from enjoying the rich lives we are granted through Christ. In Ephesians 2:7 we read, That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

This week at the secondary chapel we slowed down and recognized some of our awesome LCS students. Callie Mounsey was recognized for winning second place in the MSUFCU High School Art Show juried category and Tyler Parmer was recognized for qualifying or the 2012 MHSAA State competition in three events - the 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle and 200 yard medley relay. Please join me in thanking God for our wonderful students! Take an evening next week and join in the fun at LCS as we cheer our basketball teams on to victory in the boy’s District competition and the girl’s Regional’s. Information on the games may be found in the Athletics section of the E-Letter or at Highschoolsports.net