To Be Wholly Holy

by Dick Buckingham
Administrator

The theme verse we are studying at the school this year has some really amazing things to say about who we are in Christ. In I Peter 2:9, it says “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation….” Whoa. That last one should cause us to pause and marvel. Often when we think of holiness, we think of doing that which is right. It has something to do with our behavior and therefore our standing before God. This is not even close.

The root of the Hebrew word for “holy” has the idea of cutting for the purpose of separation. It carries with it the idea that there ends up being two directions, one of separation from and one of separation towards. Another word that comes to mind when thinking about the actual meaning of holiness is consecration. When something is consecrated it is set apart from the ordinary for an extraordinary purpose.

Thus God calling something “holy” is a really big deal. A quick (and incomplete) review of things that were called “holy” in scripture will help us make that point.

Seventh Day of Creation - “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it He rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:3) God separated the final day of Creation from the other six by ceasing from His creative activity. Thus he consecrated this day as a day to be treated differently than the other six. This becomes the foundation for the fourth Commandment in Exodus 20 where He requires His people to consecrate the seventh day by making it holy. I is because we follow His example that this day becomes something unique and set apart.

Burning Bush – When Moses approached the bush that burned but was not consumed, God told him to take off the shoes on his feet, for the ground upon which he walked was holy. (Exodus 3:5) Clearly here, it was because of the presence of God in the bush that consecrated the ground around it. It was ordinary ground before and as soon as the presence of God was no longer there, it would become ordinary ground again. Therefore it was set apart, and should be treated differently by Moses who was commanded to walk upon it barefooted.

Covenant people of Israel – On many occasions, the people of Israel were referred to as holy. This was not the case because of their level of goodness but because they were inseparably connected to the God who was holy. His presence among them consecrated them and made them holy.

The Tabernacle – In the instructions for the Tabernacle, it furnishings, and all the trappings that were used in its service, God repeatedly called these things holy. They were made of ordinary things that were found around them, cloth of various colors, gold and silver and other metals. We understand that the purpose of the Tabernacle in the midst of the people of Israel in the wilderness was to be a visible representation of the presence of God among them. There is no building that can contain God and the Tabernacle was never meant to do that. But it was consecrated to represent the relationship they had with God in His covenant and thus was called holy.

God’s Name – “Do not profane my holy name.” (Leviticus 22:32) The reason we are commanded to honor the name of the Lord and not profane it is because it is holy, set apart, consecrated as the name of God. It is because of its connection to God that it is considered holy.

Heaven – Heaven is also referred to as holy. (2 Chronicles 30:27) Once again, it is the presence of a holy God that makes the dwelling place of God to be separate, consecrated.

Jesus – “…because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let you Holy One see decay.” (Psalm 16:10) One of the ways the Old Testament refers to the coming Messiah is as the Holy One. The Messiah was holy just as God is holy because the Messiah was none other than God in the flesh. Thus Jesus was also called holy because He is God.

In our text in I Peter, we see that those who have been redeemed by Jesus, those who belong to Him, those who are called by His name are also called a holy nation. It is pretty easy to see it is not on the basis of their behavior or relative goodness, but rather because of their connection to the One who is holy. Because they are called by His name, Christians, they are holy. Because He indwells them by His Spirit, they are holy. Because whenever two or three are gathered in His name and He is present with them, they are called holy.

This is an incredible thing and something that should cause us to stop and consider that God, who is holy, has called us, believers, holy. We are like the ordinary ground that was no different than any other dirt around it until God came near. We are to be separate from everything else around us, consecrated to the special and wonderful purpose He has called us to. We are holy because He is holy.

If you are a believer, what an awesome thing to consider today!

Olympic Lessons Learned

What is it about the Olympics that draws us in and compels us to set our DVRs? Why do we hear the
Olympic theme song and well up with pride for our country and athletes? I don’t think it is the events themselves. In fact, I would venture to guess that most of us have watched little if any ice skating, speed skating, slope style, luge, or curling over the last 2 years. Yet, if you are like our family, the Olympics have become our “go to” show during dinner and in the evenings.

I am struck by the number of life lessons that can be learned in just one evening of Olympic competition. Every evening seems to be filled with stories of sportsmanship, patriotism, teamwork, and discipline.  In a day and age where most of the programs on television are inappropriate for my young children, I love that they can rally behind an event that in my opinion stands for something special. I know that with each Olympics comes some controversy, but there is the opportunity to stand together to cheer on our fellow man. The commercials alone are enough to bring you to tears and well up with pride at the stories of determination and perseverance. 

My girls are getting to see the agony of defeat and the sweet thrill of victory. They are getting to see that sometimes, things aren’t fair. People can work all of their lives chasing a dream that never comes true. They can also spend their lives chasing a dream that is finally realized despite all of the obstacles in their way.  We find ourselves routing for the underdog, crying for the heartbroken, cringing at the crashes, and cheering for the victors. 

And yes, lessons can still be learned from the athletes that don’t display the levels of sportsmanship we would hope to see. 

 

The Blame Gamers – those who try to point the finger and blame the weather, the slope, the other competitors, or anything else they can to help navigate the disappointment. 

The Entitled – those who think they deserve it more than everyone else and aren’t happy with any medal but the gold. 

The Havic Hopefuls – those who secretly (or openly) hope that the other team will fall, get hurt, or make a mistake that will give them the advantage. 

God created each of these athletes with amazing abilities. Whether they are using their gifts for God’s glory or their own, we are reminded that God has called each of us as believers to run the race to receive the prize. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

2 Timothy 2:5
Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

I know I will never win an Olympic medal, but I am fully confident that my prize will be far greater! I may never stand on the podium in front of millions of people and hear the National Anthem play, but I look forward to that amazing day when I will sing with the angels in the presence of my KING!

Security Blanket

by Jennie Smith
Secondary Assistant Principal

We've all been there....it's bedtime.  We are exhausted and the kids are grumpy.  We can't wait to tuck them in and have a little peace and quiet.  And then the unthinkable...you can't find Blankie! For my Caleb, he HAD to have Wally and Sienna - his two stuffed Labradors.  If there was no Wally or no Sienna, there was no sleep.  That child's bed was half full with nearly thirty other stuffed animals, but he had to be cuddling with Wally AND Sienna to fall into a peaceful sleep.  I remember the nights of searching and pleading and crying, and I'm sure you have had them too.

It seems most kids grow away from the security blanket phase of life.  Is that true or do we just replace our stuffed toy with something more grown up?  We may not need to snuggle with a soft, yellow, furry something-or-other to get to sleep.  However, we do hold onto things and people that give us the security we think we need.  I've recently been convicted of this very thing - why am I not 100%, solely, completely, desperately dependent on God?  Why isn't God enough?  God has even gone far enough in me to take away those security items so that I would lift my eyes to Him and realize that my security must rest in Him alone.

I would challenge you to consider what may be standing between you and your utter dependence on God.  Some people find security in their relationship with their spouse.  Others may find that a beloved grandparent or friend is the one that constantly comforts them when times get tough.  Some of us may find that our security blanket is a sin, even an addiction, that we depend on to give us what we think we need.  But God calls us, beckons us, to find our rest in Him.  Isaiah 41:13 says "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'"  He is the only place where true peace is found.  Everything else provides us just a temporary fix.

My favorite image of the Lord as my security blanket comes from Deuteronomy 33:12.  "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."  Resting between the shoulders of the almighty God....that's where I want to be!

May we be like the psalmist who says:

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge" (Psalm 62:5-8).

1 + 1 = 2

by Dick Buckingham
Administrator

1+1=2

Everyone will look at the above equation and agree that it is true.  It will be accepted without question and anyone who says otherwise will be ridiculed or ignored.  But what if I ask you why you believe it to be true?  

Some may give answers like the following:

                “That is what my teachers taught me.”

                “It just is.  It is a statement of fact, like gravity.”

                “Everyone knows that it is.”

But how do you know it is true for certain?  Already, there are some who are rounding up the paddy wagons, heading in my direction.  Allow me a little latitude to discuss with you further.

If you believe it to be true because your teacher or anyone else told you it was true, then I would ask how do know they were right?  What if someone else comes along and says 1+1=6, will you accept this as easily as you did your teacher’s statement?  And if not, then why not, since you are basing the authority of your acceptance of this math statement upon the teaching of another?  What would make one teacher superior to another?

If it just is, then how do you know that?  It really doesn’t answer the question; it just ignores it and says the same thing a little louder, giving us the impression that whoever can shout it loudest is right.

If it is because everyone knows that it is, what if I find someone who doesn’t?  Does that nullify it?  And if not just one, then how about two or three or four?  How many would it take to disagree with the proposition before you would reconsider its truth?  Are truths such as these dependent upon majority acceptance?  Of course not!

What if I said, “1+1=2 may be true for you, but it is not for me.”  Would you allow my relativism to have credibility?  Would that work in a real world where I could change this addition to be whatever I like?  Likely not as the feet of the men in the white coats grows ever louder.  Yet, you have not yet given me solid reason as to why we must both conclude that 1+1=2.

Perhaps now, with some measure of sighing, you realize I am serious and you are about to set out to carefully prove that adding one to one is always true.

“According to our counting system, two is the next number following one.”

Why?  Couldn’t our counting system have six following one?  And why can’t we change our counting system everyday if we want?  What is there to keep us from doing that?  Why must we insist on 1+1=2?  Why can’t it be 1+1=6?  Excuse me, there is a knock at my door.

Clearly this is nonsense.  That fact that I even spent this much space in this blog is silly at best.  Why did I do so?  Because there are many people today who want to discuss other truth and try to handle it in the way that I have above and we allow them credibility to think they could possibly have a point.  An example is the declaration that God is.  I make such a statement about God and very quickly I am challenged.

“You can’t insist that is true for everyone!  It may be true for you, but it is not for me and many others.”

While this may seem like a gracious, generous statement, not forcing me to move away from my assertion as long as I don’t force it on others, but it is just as ridiculous as the argument above.  There either is a God or there isn’t.  It can’t be both ways.  To insist otherwise is foolishness.

So that brings me back to my assertion that there is a God.

“What proof do you have?”

I will use the math above as my evidence.  If there is no God, and the world and everything in it has come about by chaotic chance than we would not be able to insist upon our counting system and statements of mathematical facts.  If everything is in a state of change, then so is our math system and what we once thought true about it no longer is and even that won’t last forever.  The reality is, unless there is an orderly God who has created a world of order, we could not make any useful conclusions about anything that would help us in anyway.  The fact that when you add one more to one the answer is always, always, always two is because there is order in the universe established by the Creator of order, none other than God himself.

You see, God has left Himself many witnesses of His existence in the things that He has made around us.  An orderly world is just one of them.  If one is so inclined, we can see evidence of a Creator in just about everything.  That is what the scriptures reveal.

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   (Psalm 19:1).

Is it any wonder that the psalmist also proclaims “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1)