The Race

I find it providential that last summer the leadership team at FCS decided to make 1 Corinthians 9:24 the theme verse for the 2012-2013 school year. You are probably familiar with the verse:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.  1 Corinthians 9:24

Little did I know at the time this theme was decided on that I would be training for and running in my first marathon 6 months later. Yes, me, who has hated running for as long as I can remember. No track and field, no basketball, no soccer for me growing up. I was a springboard and platform diver. You don’t find too many sports with less running than that! 

However, I set aside my loathing for running to take on a new challenge with my 2 sisters—running 13.1 miles in the P.F. Chang’s Half Marathon. The race took place just 9 short days ago and as I reflect on the adventure, I realize that I learned some valuable lessons along the way. 

13.1 miles is a long way

I know, I know. There are some crazy folks out there that like to run extreme marathons that are 100 miles long, uphill the whole time, in the snow, while barefoot.  Let’s just continue with an assumption that to most people, 13.1 miles on a relatively even plane, in the sunshine, while wearing running shoes is still a pretty challenging feat.  The conditions during the race where pretty perfect. It was not too hot and not too cold. The sun was shining. People were cheering and holding signs of encouragement along the way (I’ll address that later). Music was playing and adrenaline was flowing. I had TRAINED for this! But it was hard! Every mile seemed to get longer and longer. There were times when I was sure I had simply missed the mile marker sign indicating I was one mile closer to the finish. Alas, 5 minutes later, I would see the mile marker sign up ahead.  

As I think about the spiritual race that we are running, it can sometimes feel like it is never ending.  Even when the sun is shining and the conditions seem pretty perfect, the race itself can be exhausting. Just when we think we have “made it” we realize that our race is far from over.  

Sometimes you need a GU

You may be wondering what in the world a GU is. Don’t worry. I asked the same question 6 months ago. A GU is basically an energy boost that runners need to take during a race to replenish their energy stores. Your body literally eats up every ounce of fuel it has and needs something else to burn. Runners recognize that these little packets of strawberry banana, or coffee-delight-flavored goop are necessary when their energy is drained. 

So I ask you, what do you do when you need a GU in your spiritual race? Do you make time to meet with that special friend that can speak encouragement into your life? Do you make it a point to go on the church retreat to just get away for a little while? Do you finally say “no” to one more thing that just makes your plate overflow? We all need to recognize our tendency to burn out and understand the necessity of a spiritual energy boost from time to time. 

“Be the signs” along the way. 

Having never run a marathon before, there were a few things I didn’t know to expect. One of those things was the signs people held along the way. What an odd thing it was to see strangers cheering me on. Yes, some people were there to cheer on their family members and friends, but certain groups were staged along the way just to be a cheering section. People would look straight at me and say things like, “Keep going! You’re doing a great job! You are almost there!”

Some of the signs that gave me the biggest laughs were:

 “Run, Random Stranger, Run!” 

"Worst Parade Ever"

"Run like you stole something."

"Stop reading this and keep running!"

"Smile, you're still faster than all the people behind you"

All of them brought a smile to my face, but they made me realize how the smallest words of encouragement could make the next mile that much easier. Are you an encourager? Don’t forget to see the people running the spiritual race around you and tell them, “Keep going! You’re doing a great job!” You never know how far those words will go. 

The Finish Line

I have to admit that even in mile 1, my #1 goal was the finish line. All I cared about the whole 13.1 miles was getting to end and saying “I did it!” More than that, I knew my husband, my girls, and my family would be there to congratulate me. 

How much greater will the feeling of victory be when we complete our earthly race and see the Lord face to face! As excited as I was to hear congratulations from my family, I am far more excited to know the following: 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

“Yes, I won the race.” 

The first thing that my 4 year old said to me when I met up with my family after the race was, “Did you win, Mommy?” My response without hesitating was “YES!” 

I may not have gotten first place, but I ran to receive the prize. I ran the very best race that I could and just finishing the race was the ultimate reward! It is my heart’s truest desire, and hopefully yours as well, that we would run our spiritual race to our very best ability as well. Take a GU along the way and be a sign of encouragement to those around you.  Let’s fight the good fight and finish the race. No matter how long the race feels, race to win the prize with your eyes ever watching and waiting for the beautiful finish line.

Overcoming Anxiety

by Jennie Smith
Secondary Assistant Principal

It was the worst winter of my life...it started shortly after Christmas.  Levi was only 3 and Caleb was fast approaching his first birthday.  Caleb became very sick - so I took him to urgent care, where he was diagnosed with his first of many ear infections.  While there, he must have picked up something else, and a few days later we went to the emergency room for dehydration.  Not only was he  diagnosed with the roto-virus, but it was one of the most difficult days of my life - watching my child being pinned down while they tried multiple times to insert his i.v.  Remarkably, while there, he picked up another virus - a cold of some sort and he and Levi passed that bug back and forth for six weeks.

This assortment of sicknesses led to two problems of my own:  hyper-germaphobia (my own diagnosis...I still suffer from it and I'm not sure there is a cure) and anxiety.  Whenever my children show signs of  illness, I tend to overreact.  I physically react:  I become very cold - and have to put on sweaters and get under the covers.  I emotionally react:  fear, nervous stomach and sometimes just tears.  I eventually realized that I was simply suffering from anxiety.  I know that my anxiety doesn't please God...He instructs in Philippians 4:6  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." 

There are many anxiety disorders that require professional assistance, so I understand that I can't offer a cure-all for everyone.  My anxiety has been manageable; I can function in my daily routine, which is not true for everyone who suffers with anxiety.  In the last few years, I have found something that works for me and I thought I would share it with you - it is simply to worship. Just a few weeks ago, Caleb began to complain of symptoms right before bed.  I was planning to watch a movie, but I instantly turned it off and turned on worship music.  I was able to avoid the dread that usually sets in and experienced overwhelming peace.

I've pondered why peace through worship occurs and here is what I have discovered.  First, when we worship, it turns the focus off ourselves and onto the Almighty God.  When I focus on the words of a worship song, I am no longer lingering on my own fears - on the concerns of this world - but on His love, grace, mercy, kindness, sovereignty, justice.  Isaiah 26:3 says "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."  Worship assists me in keeping my mind steadfast - completely focused on Him.

Second, it reminds me of who He is.  One of my favorite worship songs is by Kari Jobe and it is called "You are for Me."  She sings of God's patience, faithfulness, truth, mercy, power, and sovereignty.  She sings in the chorus  "I know that you are for me.  I know that you will never forsake me in my weaknesses.  And I know you have come down even if to write upon my heart. To remind me of who you are."  When I am reminded about who God is and how He holds the plan of my life in His hand, my fears and anxiety go away and are replaced with His amazing gift of peace. (Here's a link to a Kari Jobe's video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbSMfL5LuSo)

Another interesting tidbit that I have discovered is that the great men of God worshiped when life was at its worst. David, after losing the first child of Bathsheba "got up from the ground...went into the house of the Lord and worshiped" (I Samuel 12:20).  Job, upon hearing that disaster had befallen his house and family, fell to the ground in worship (Job 1:20).  Certainly, if these great men of the faith chose to worship when the tough times fell upon them, then it is a good choice for me when I encounter times of anxiety or stress.

I often take heart from Habakkuk 3:17-18:
"Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

In the comments below, feel free to share your favorite worship song or your favorite verse that provides you encouragement when anxiety or stress takes over. 

Truth

by Dick Buckingham
Administrator

I am a 50s something guy who has spent most of his adult life working with and teaching the young people of our society. Over the years, I have seen some very serious things creep into the thinking of our youth that cause me great concern. Some might suggest it is because I am such an old fossil that I couldn’t possibly comprehend the progressive ideas that are sweeping through our land. I think it is something else entirely.

We have become such an accepting and tolerant society that we have come to accept truth, at least some truth, as being relative to each individual. Each person can decide what works for them. If they are comfortable with something that they believe to be true, it is OK, even if someone else believes something contradictory to be true. In many ways we have begun to confuse the difference between truth and opinion.

For example, is the following statement truth or opinion? "Dr. Pepper is the best soft drink in the world." Opinion, right? It may be that someone prefers Dr. Pepper to all other soft drinks, but they would not be able to prove in any fashion that their preference ought to be the preference of every other individual. Similar statements like, "The Green Bay Packers are the best football team ever," or "Batman is better than Spiderman," are clearly opinion and not a statement of truth. Because we all have opinions and one opinion is just as valid as the next, we may begin to view all things in the world this way.

What about this one? "The sky is blue." Is this statement a matter of opinion? Do we put it up for a vote or conduct a survey to see what the majority think is the color of the sky? No. We all agree that the color of the sky is blue. This is a universal truth, not subject to opinion or discussion. How is it then that there are some things that are open to objective opinion and other things that just are? The reason there is no debate over the color of the sky is that it conforms with fact or reality. The reality is that each and every person who looks at the sky sees the same color. Our eyes have been made in such a way that they perceive the light of the sun as it passes through our atmosphere (which, incidentally, filters out all the colors of the spectrum except the colors that make up the blue we see), the nerves transmit that information to our brains which in turn translates to us that the color we are seeing is blue. We know when we see that color it is blue because someone (most likely our parents) taught us when we see that color, we call it blue. The bottom line for all of this is that there are some things that are truth. Not everything is a matter of opinion.

Anyone who would make the claim, "There is no absolute truth," has committed logical suicide. They have made a statement of absolute truth which the statement itself says does not exist. The statement is false if it is true and only true if it is false. It doesn’t matter how often a person says it, or how loudly they proclaim it, or even which celebrities endorse it, such a statement is categorically false. The reality is...truth exists.

Think for a moment about this one:  "God is."

Is this statement truth or opinion? Many today would immediately say opinion, and we must accept other opinions about the existence of God as valid and give just as much validity to their opinion as to this one. However, the reality is that everything we perceive about the world around us says God does exist. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim his handiwork. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." While man has tried his best to silence and nullify the message of all creation that is daily around us, it screams, "God is, God is!" To look at and examine the complexities of the universe and proclaim that such a design is the work of chaotic chance is foolishness and not knowledge. It is as foolish as proclaiming the sky is green and not blue. It doesn’t agree with reality.

There are other important truths that our world would like to marginalize or deny.

"Man has been created in the image of God."

"Man has fallen and now has a nature of sin."

"Man’s only remedy for sin is faith and trust in Jesus Christ."

All of these are true, not because we took a vote, or because one opinion is better than another. They are true because they have been revealed by the One who created us all and knows us completely. They are His opinion. And His opinion trumps my opinion and your opinion and every other person’s opinion every time.

It is critically important that you and I teach children about truth. The false attitude of our society regarding truth is affecting more and more because they focus the message on our young people. The youth of the world today need us to teach them the absurdity of the logic our society is using regarding truth. They are going to need to stand firm against the rising tide of mutually accepted absurdity.

One thing you can do is share this blog with others in your sphere of influence on Facebook or other social media. Please take a moment to pass this message on to others.

When It Rains It Pours (And Sometimes Floods)

by Meridith Borta
Elementary Principal

I would bet that we are all fairly familiar with the little quip “when it rains it pours”. Most could probably readily recall times where a chain of events has made them feel like they are in the middle of a downpour with no reprieve in sight. Ah, yes. Travel with me as I relay, not so fondly, the latest super storm to hit the Borta household.

Drizzle

It was time. I could no longer put off the repairs that my car so desperately needed. I was hesitant to take the car in knowing that the repairs could be costly. However, with the air suspension failing each morning, I was literally bouncing down the road in my car, holding on to the steering wheel for dear life. It was so severe I almost started wearing my hat backwards and blasting music as loud as possible to fit in with the gangstas who do this to their cars on purpose. I finally settled on a repair shop and crossed my fingers. It would have been too easy for the car to just be fixed and for that to be that. After spending $750 on the repair, I got a call that there was a bigger problem that would cost an additional $1850. Everyone has that lying around right before Christmas, right? Thus began the car saga that has yet to be resolved. That’s right. You may still have the privilege of seeing me bouncing down the road if you are lucky enough to cross my path on a given morning. Don’t be offended if I attempt to hide my face.

Sprinkle

Maybe it was stress-induced or maybe it is a hazard of working with little ones day in and day out, but it was my turn to catch the cold that keeps on giving. It was nothing big, but making itself at home in my nasal passages on the last week of school before the Christmas break was not quite appreciated. I powered through though and even continued with my training schedule for the half marathon I’ve been preparing for. (Don’t ask me why I have continued to train for this half marathon even after receiving the unexpected news of a 4^th little Borta on the way in early July. People say that once you start running you fall in love with it. I must be missing some vital piece of this puzzle since I can honestly say that running 4 miles at 5am in 35 degree weather—and with a cold to boot--has never once invoked a feeling of love.)  The weight of the world and the various items I was collecting on my plate were getting a little heavy.  

Rain (or should I say flood . . . literally)

Christmas break was so close I could taste it. With the cold and sinus infection making its exit none too soon, I was looking forward to having time to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet at home. It came as quite a shock on that Friday morning (the last day before the break) when we came downstairs to find water coming out of our walls and up through our wood flooring (that we laid less than a year ago and were paying off THIS month). Little did I realize that the sound of someone cutting into our walls four days before Christmas was just the opening act to the headlining show—the industrial fans that would turn our house into a wind tunnel for the next five days. Surely God was trying to teach us something, but what? As we headed out of town the day after Christmas, the workers moved in to tear out walls and our beloved floors.  We couldn't wait to return home to see what Santa’s helpers had left us! As we were told though, it could have been much worse.

Downpour

Of course things can always be worse. We know it in our heads, but we don’t usually anticipate that things actually will. We just knew God was going to work things out and we praised God for the joys we were able to experience during the holidays. What else could possibly happen? The first mistake was asking.

Paul and I came down with some mutant cold/flu that knocked us flat on New Year’s Eve and we rang in the New Year (at 8pm) with a box of tissues and a lot of fever-reducing medication. Life doesn't stop when you are sick though, right? We had big plans. In hindsight, maybe the decision to keep our plans and take the kids to the snow the next day may not have been the best idea. But how harmful could a shopping trip to Walmart be?

We realized soon after starting our shopping adventure that it was going to go downhill fast. Cadynce was starting to get sick and the other girls were tired, so I decided to take one for the team, send Paul home with the kids, and I would just shop by myself and get it done. There I was, perusing the spices, when the call came. “Honey, how is our insurance? I just hit someone.” That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. As I stood there in disbelief, trying not to have a total breakdown in the middle of the Walmart aisle, I finally had to laugh. “LORD, REALLY?”

Each of you could probably share a story similar to mine. All of us have had those times in our lives where we wonder what God is doing.  What else can possibly go wrong? Lord, what is your plan in all of this?

Sorry, everyone. I don’t have the answers, but I know a God who does. I have a car that is not fixed, holes in my kitchen walls, wood floors that are ripped up, a car with a crunched bumper, and a lingering cough that won’t quit. I don't have the solutions to each of the things I’m dealing with or know why they seem to have come upon me all at once. But God has a plan and purpose. We may not know what that plan or purpose is, but our confidence is in Him, His goodness, and ultimately His love for us. I know who is in control and I know that He will work all these things for good. 

Proverbs 19:21 ESV - Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The next time the rains are coming down as the floods are coming up, check to make sure your house is built on the rock and you can be sure it will stand firm. 

Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV) - Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Wholly Surrendered

by Jennie Smith
Secondary Assistant Principal

Happy New Year!  It's 2013 and many are making their New Year's resolutions today.  Some decide on one word to focus on for the year. Others resolve never to make resolutions.  As a teacher, my life is full of setting goals and objectives.  Goals are what you hope to accomplish; objectives are the way to get there.  I love to set a goal for the new year.  While resolutions are designed to be broken, goals are designed to be met.

I've been pondering my goal for this year and God has impressed upon my heart that my goal should be:  wholly surrendered. I desire to live this year in complete surrender to what God wants for me.  I have begun searching His word for the way to get there - and while there many, many verses in Scripture that show us the way to a life a surrender, I have been most impacted by Psalm 143.

In verse 1, it tells us how to begin.  "O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy."  Isn't that the way to begin any endeavor?  First, beseech Him for His help - it is only through Him that we can meet any goal.

"I remember the days of long ago;  I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done" (verse 4).  If I'm going to surrender to someone, I need to trust them.  When I look back at what God has done over the years, I gain confidence and remember that He is real, alive, and active even in the small events.

One of the most important works to remember is what was accomplished at the cross. Jeremy Riddle's song "Sweetly Broken" responds to the event of the cross in this way:  

"At the cross you beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees
And I am lost for words, so lost in love
I'm sweetly broken, wholly surrendered".

Verse 5 of Psalm 143 says:  "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land."   Whenever I'm thirsty for the Lord, I worship.  I love Pandora and I turn on my praise and worship channel and just sing to the Lord.  He meets me there.  I know a life of surrender is not easy, so worship is going to become one of my objectives - it will be an important key to accomplishing my goal.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,  for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul" (verse 8).  Living a life a surrender is going to require the Lord to show me the way.   He will be directing my path; I must relinquish control, so I certainly need to be tuned into what He would say.  Daily Bible reading and increased Bible study are important objectives to meeting my goal of full surrender to the Lord
.

As the new year begins, verse 10 is my prayer:  "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."  On this January 1, 2013, what goals might you be setting?  What is God calling you to this new year?  Would you be willing to  share ideas below - it may really encourage someone else!  May 2013 be a year in which we all live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).