by Kelly Knowlden
In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel gives the birth announcement to Mary and says that her son shall be great. In all the Bible, I cannot think of a greater understatement. Mary is being told that the eternal God, who sits resplendent in light and majesty, whose regal qualities invade every corner of heaven, and who is grand beyond all superlatives, is going to be great. And poor Mary, caught in a drama of such magnitude beyond imagining, responded to the angel in child-like faith, “let all you that have said, come about…”
And of course, we, who are caught in a drama beyond what we imagine, get caught up in the celebration of Christmas as though this event were a postcard moment—that somehow, if we say the right things, sit in front of a warm fire with Christmas music in the background sipping our cup of warm cocoa, if we can capture the right mood, something magical will happen and we will have peace - if not on earth, at least a bit of inner peace from the bustle of our frustratingly busy lives. And we forget that the holiday is really about Him who IS great!
His greatness comes from the fact that the majestic God described above came to rescue us! That rescue was not from our national debt, from physical oppression of a foreign government, or from a commercialistic interpretation of His own birth. He came to rescue us from ourselves… our declaration that we are great! So His rescue involved taking our sin on Himself, paying the penalty that distances us from God and giving us life instead of deserved death.
Our child-like faith in that exchange puts us in the midst of a great drama. We are in the great drama of proclaiming His greatness! We do it by living in the moments of our days with child-like faith, “let all that You have said, come about…” Christ did this in facing His greatest crucible - the cross. He did it so that we might indeed have inner peace. May you know that peace this season. Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Cultural Literacy
by Kelly Knowlden
In 1987, E.D. Hirsch, Jr. published a book called Cultural Literacy. In it he talks about what every American needs to know in order to be culturally literate. The premise of the book was to focus “on the background knowledge necessary for functional literacy and effective national communication.” He acknowledges that while it is necessary to keep up with the changes that language and influence from foreign cultures brings, yet in making a list of items necessary to know, 80% of them have been in use for more than 100 years.
To have a common cultural conversation, we must be able to convey common ideas drawn from a common set of information. It is this background information that Mr. Hirsch is trying to establish in his book.
At ICS we also are trying to establish that background information. We want students to know about where phrases come from like, “too many cooks spoil the broth” and what a topic sentence is, and what topsoil is, where Toronto is, and who Sojourner Truth was and to know the theme of The Tortoise and the Hare. We want children to understand who Arthur Miller, and Michelangelo, and John Stuart Mill are and what contributions they made to our present cultural conversation. So we work very hard at helping children to understand the facts they are studying as well as the context in which the facts fit. Our desire is for students to be able to critique those facts through the lens of the Bible so that they can contribute something important to the cultural conversation.
In 1987, E.D. Hirsch, Jr. published a book called Cultural Literacy. In it he talks about what every American needs to know in order to be culturally literate. The premise of the book was to focus “on the background knowledge necessary for functional literacy and effective national communication.” He acknowledges that while it is necessary to keep up with the changes that language and influence from foreign cultures brings, yet in making a list of items necessary to know, 80% of them have been in use for more than 100 years.
To have a common cultural conversation, we must be able to convey common ideas drawn from a common set of information. It is this background information that Mr. Hirsch is trying to establish in his book.
At ICS we also are trying to establish that background information. We want students to know about where phrases come from like, “too many cooks spoil the broth” and what a topic sentence is, and what topsoil is, where Toronto is, and who Sojourner Truth was and to know the theme of The Tortoise and the Hare. We want children to understand who Arthur Miller, and Michelangelo, and John Stuart Mill are and what contributions they made to our present cultural conversation. So we work very hard at helping children to understand the facts they are studying as well as the context in which the facts fit. Our desire is for students to be able to critique those facts through the lens of the Bible so that they can contribute something important to the cultural conversation.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Encouragement
by Kelly Knowlden
(This is exciting to me to write about the next generation!) One of my grandsons, (15 months) and I are reading together one of the classics of children’s literature: Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever! We look at a page and act out "SHOUT" or “run” or “cry.” And of course, we make truck noises and gorilla noises and point out noses and ears and all such things.
Here is the practical application of that. On Sunday, I got the opportunity to hold my grandson for about ten minutes during the sermon. Because we have talked about (demonstrated) “whisper,” whenever he started to talk, I whispered in his ear, “whisper,” and he did. When the pastor was done, I could say, “Good boy!”
That is what children need to hear. That is what parents need to be saying. “Good job!” “Great work!” It requires us to be doing the background work of making them successful (training) and then commending them for when it comes about. We will reap what we sow. If I sow negativity, guess what I will reap? If I am impatient, they will not only be impatient, but also will learn that nothing pleases dad. Interestingly the word “encourage” is next to “exhort” in the Bible. That means that my encouragement must be in the midst of teaching children right from wrong.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Heb. 3:13
(This is exciting to me to write about the next generation!) One of my grandsons, (15 months) and I are reading together one of the classics of children’s literature: Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever! We look at a page and act out "SHOUT" or “run” or “cry.” And of course, we make truck noises and gorilla noises and point out noses and ears and all such things.
Here is the practical application of that. On Sunday, I got the opportunity to hold my grandson for about ten minutes during the sermon. Because we have talked about (demonstrated) “whisper,” whenever he started to talk, I whispered in his ear, “whisper,” and he did. When the pastor was done, I could say, “Good boy!”
That is what children need to hear. That is what parents need to be saying. “Good job!” “Great work!” It requires us to be doing the background work of making them successful (training) and then commending them for when it comes about. We will reap what we sow. If I sow negativity, guess what I will reap? If I am impatient, they will not only be impatient, but also will learn that nothing pleases dad. Interestingly the word “encourage” is next to “exhort” in the Bible. That means that my encouragement must be in the midst of teaching children right from wrong.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Heb. 3:13
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Value
by Kelly Knowlden
What is important will always be the driver for me in any situation. If I value comfort, I will pursue whatever makes me comfortable. (What makes me comfortable will change with each situation; if I am not comfortable confronting someone, I will find a way to avoid it; if I am tired and want to be comfortable, I will go home and find something that provides me with comfort.) Substitute the word “pleasure” or “people liking me” or “ease,” and I will pursue that for the value-factor it holds for me.
In Proverbs 2, the writer suggests that we should value wisdom most; “...look for it as for silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure.” Practically that means that I ought to value and pursue wisdom as that which will profit me most. It ought to replace all other valuable things—not only the money that I think I need, but also those other things I value like those listed above.
At school it looks like this: I will pursue education because I will understand the world that God has made for me to live in. I will have a greater understanding of relationships between history and math; between stories and truth; between science and health. I will be able to enjoy life more and be a contributor to the society that I live in.
In the home, it will be the same. I will be teaching my children to value education and pursue it. I will do the same. I will have conversations about all kinds of things with my kids. And I will pursue Jesus Christ, who is wisdom personified.
What is important will always be the driver for me in any situation. If I value comfort, I will pursue whatever makes me comfortable. (What makes me comfortable will change with each situation; if I am not comfortable confronting someone, I will find a way to avoid it; if I am tired and want to be comfortable, I will go home and find something that provides me with comfort.) Substitute the word “pleasure” or “people liking me” or “ease,” and I will pursue that for the value-factor it holds for me.
In Proverbs 2, the writer suggests that we should value wisdom most; “...look for it as for silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure.” Practically that means that I ought to value and pursue wisdom as that which will profit me most. It ought to replace all other valuable things—not only the money that I think I need, but also those other things I value like those listed above.
At school it looks like this: I will pursue education because I will understand the world that God has made for me to live in. I will have a greater understanding of relationships between history and math; between stories and truth; between science and health. I will be able to enjoy life more and be a contributor to the society that I live in.
In the home, it will be the same. I will be teaching my children to value education and pursue it. I will do the same. I will have conversations about all kinds of things with my kids. And I will pursue Jesus Christ, who is wisdom personified.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Who to Thank
by Kelly Knowlden
Because in a secular society, we tend toward leaving God out of everything, we need to express our thanks to all the people in the world that deserve such. However, ultimately that thanks presupposes Someone who has arranged the course of history so that those people and events have come into our life. An appropriate giving of thanks to God was made a national event by President Abraham Lincoln spurred by Sarah Josepha Hale. In the president’s words,
And in 1942 FDR signed a law making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of November, a law which is still in effect today. However, on most web sites, it is also considered to be a national secular holiday of parades, football and feasting. As you establish your family culture, it is appropriate to ensure that your children know Who to thank.
Because in a secular society, we tend toward leaving God out of everything, we need to express our thanks to all the people in the world that deserve such. However, ultimately that thanks presupposes Someone who has arranged the course of history so that those people and events have come into our life. An appropriate giving of thanks to God was made a national event by President Abraham Lincoln spurred by Sarah Josepha Hale. In the president’s words,
... I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.
And in 1942 FDR signed a law making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of November, a law which is still in effect today. However, on most web sites, it is also considered to be a national secular holiday of parades, football and feasting. As you establish your family culture, it is appropriate to ensure that your children know Who to thank.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Christian Worldview
by Kelly Knowlden
What do we mean when we say, “Christian world-view?” Most people would agree that God’s Word, the Bible, tells us who God is and what He is like. But does God’s Word have anything to say to me about the rest of life? Is it only a book that is relevant to my life on Sunday—and then, only for that brief hour I spend in church? Does it say anything at all about how I drive my car, eat my breakfast, spend time with my wife, do my work and drink my tea?
Well, the answer to that depends on whether you mean: does it say exactly what I do to accomplish those things, in which case the answer is “no.” Or whether you mean does its truth have implications about all these things, in which case the answer is “yes.”
A Christian world view is one whereby the Bible becomes the ‘benchmark’ for life. To have a Christian world view is to want the Bible to assess my thoughts and actions and to give true perspective to what I hear and see in this world. It is to be willing to have life turned upside down [no excuses] in order to have my life conformed to its principles and truth.
Will it mean that I keep a list of rules? No. It will mean that my heart willingly will submit to necessary changes in lifestyle, habit and thinking because I want to honor the King of kings. In that, it presupposes that I want to know Jesus Christ as a personal friend because He is the author of the Bible.
Teachers at ICS hold a Christian world view. They try to live consistently with it because they love the Author. You receive the benefits of that in having your children under the care of creative, compassionate and patient teachers. That is something to give thanks for this season!
What do we mean when we say, “Christian world-view?” Most people would agree that God’s Word, the Bible, tells us who God is and what He is like. But does God’s Word have anything to say to me about the rest of life? Is it only a book that is relevant to my life on Sunday—and then, only for that brief hour I spend in church? Does it say anything at all about how I drive my car, eat my breakfast, spend time with my wife, do my work and drink my tea?
Well, the answer to that depends on whether you mean: does it say exactly what I do to accomplish those things, in which case the answer is “no.” Or whether you mean does its truth have implications about all these things, in which case the answer is “yes.”
A Christian world view is one whereby the Bible becomes the ‘benchmark’ for life. To have a Christian world view is to want the Bible to assess my thoughts and actions and to give true perspective to what I hear and see in this world. It is to be willing to have life turned upside down [no excuses] in order to have my life conformed to its principles and truth.
Will it mean that I keep a list of rules? No. It will mean that my heart willingly will submit to necessary changes in lifestyle, habit and thinking because I want to honor the King of kings. In that, it presupposes that I want to know Jesus Christ as a personal friend because He is the author of the Bible.
Teachers at ICS hold a Christian world view. They try to live consistently with it because they love the Author. You receive the benefits of that in having your children under the care of creative, compassionate and patient teachers. That is something to give thanks for this season!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Undermining Authority
by Kelly Knowlden
Here are twelve ways to teach your kids the opposite of what you want from them, i.e., respect for you and obedience to your words.
Yell at the coach, belittle the president, badmouth the teacher, mock the police officer, second guess the boss, use derogatory words to describe people in authority: “bimbo, idiot”, make cynical remarks about neighbors, complain about your wages, have conversations about your disagreements with your pastor in front of your children, make comments about the stupidity of public policy by the local government, roll your eyes whenever an authority speaks the opposite of what you think, and argue with your spouse in your child’s hearing.
Interchange the words and phrases above to give different nuances to your attitudes toward authority (“belittle the coach, yell at the president”) and you will have completely annihilated any semblance of Christian worldview in your children. You will have been very effective in undermining all your words and influence as well. Here is what I mean.
Interpose these words wherever there is a comma in the second paragraph above: “let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth.” (Eph. 4:29) or perhaps: “the authorities that exist have been established by God” (Rom. 13:1b).
We betray our own hearts by what comes out of our mouth. (see James 3:5,6) We betray the next generation by demeaning the authorities that God has established and we reduce the world to horizontal. This is one of the key issues facing us today.
Here are twelve ways to teach your kids the opposite of what you want from them, i.e., respect for you and obedience to your words.
Yell at the coach, belittle the president, badmouth the teacher, mock the police officer, second guess the boss, use derogatory words to describe people in authority: “bimbo, idiot”, make cynical remarks about neighbors, complain about your wages, have conversations about your disagreements with your pastor in front of your children, make comments about the stupidity of public policy by the local government, roll your eyes whenever an authority speaks the opposite of what you think, and argue with your spouse in your child’s hearing.
Interchange the words and phrases above to give different nuances to your attitudes toward authority (“belittle the coach, yell at the president”) and you will have completely annihilated any semblance of Christian worldview in your children. You will have been very effective in undermining all your words and influence as well. Here is what I mean.
Interpose these words wherever there is a comma in the second paragraph above: “let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth.” (Eph. 4:29) or perhaps: “the authorities that exist have been established by God” (Rom. 13:1b).
We betray our own hearts by what comes out of our mouth. (see James 3:5,6) We betray the next generation by demeaning the authorities that God has established and we reduce the world to horizontal. This is one of the key issues facing us today.
Monday, October 31, 2011
A Vertical World
by Kelly Knowlden
Why does an authority have authority to speak? In America, we believe that Presidents speak because they have been granted authority by the people, police have authority because they wear a uniform and drive a special car, and journalists have authority because they have investigated an incident and report what they saw. All of those are poor reasons for students who question everything that a person says. (This happens to most young people about the time of high school.)
Authority generally means having the right or power to direct the actions or thoughts of another. In a vertical world, that right ultimately rests in the Author (notice the similarity to authority) of the universe. God has given certain positions authority. The position holds the authority. The person fills the position. There are various layers of civil authority. There is ecclesiastical authority. There is familial authority. Each of these positions, and many more, derives their authority from God. The person that fills the position may not be smarter, bigger, wiser, better educated, more noble, or have any other qualities that would make him a good leader. However, because the position holds authority, the person must be heeded when he speaks.
Parents must be continually vigilant in living out and talking about this vertical world. A parent’s authority will naturally wane as children leave the home. But living under a parent’s authority prepares children for living in a world where they will be told what to do by other authorities.
Why does an authority have authority to speak? In America, we believe that Presidents speak because they have been granted authority by the people, police have authority because they wear a uniform and drive a special car, and journalists have authority because they have investigated an incident and report what they saw. All of those are poor reasons for students who question everything that a person says. (This happens to most young people about the time of high school.)
Authority generally means having the right or power to direct the actions or thoughts of another. In a vertical world, that right ultimately rests in the Author (notice the similarity to authority) of the universe. God has given certain positions authority. The position holds the authority. The person fills the position. There are various layers of civil authority. There is ecclesiastical authority. There is familial authority. Each of these positions, and many more, derives their authority from God. The person that fills the position may not be smarter, bigger, wiser, better educated, more noble, or have any other qualities that would make him a good leader. However, because the position holds authority, the person must be heeded when he speaks.
Parents must be continually vigilant in living out and talking about this vertical world. A parent’s authority will naturally wane as children leave the home. But living under a parent’s authority prepares children for living in a world where they will be told what to do by other authorities.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Horizontal World
by Kelly Knowlden
An ad in a parent magazine caught my eye. A cute baby was laying on the floor with his diapers on but turning himself over. It read: “How to change a rolling pin.” It then went on to describe fairly accurately what changing a wiggling baby is like. It closed with the words: “Got a squirmy baby? Just catch, slip on, release!” Great - a solution to a big problem! The idea of teaching the baby to
lay still was not even a thought to be had.
I suppose that teaching him to eat his carrots, or to make his bed, or to put the car keys away, or to be in by 11:00, all fall into the same category. After all, what is so important about eating carrots or making his bed anyway? And by the time he is old enough to be out at 11:00, he must be old enough to make his own decisions.
The reality is that by the time he is old enough to be out at 11:00, parents will not be able to tell him anything anyway. His world will be horizontal. He will be their equal. Parents will have trained him to NOT hear their words.
The book of Proverbs teaches us something different. In this book, the world is vertical. There is an authority that has the responsibility to pass on what is important because the child is not able to determine that. “Listen, my son…” are the repeated words throughout the book. The purpose is to show the son that we need Someone outside ourselves to determine what is important. It starts with “Listen my son… lay still while your diaper is being changed…”
An ad in a parent magazine caught my eye. A cute baby was laying on the floor with his diapers on but turning himself over. It read: “How to change a rolling pin.” It then went on to describe fairly accurately what changing a wiggling baby is like. It closed with the words: “Got a squirmy baby? Just catch, slip on, release!” Great - a solution to a big problem! The idea of teaching the baby to
lay still was not even a thought to be had.
I suppose that teaching him to eat his carrots, or to make his bed, or to put the car keys away, or to be in by 11:00, all fall into the same category. After all, what is so important about eating carrots or making his bed anyway? And by the time he is old enough to be out at 11:00, he must be old enough to make his own decisions.
The reality is that by the time he is old enough to be out at 11:00, parents will not be able to tell him anything anyway. His world will be horizontal. He will be their equal. Parents will have trained him to NOT hear their words.
The book of Proverbs teaches us something different. In this book, the world is vertical. There is an authority that has the responsibility to pass on what is important because the child is not able to determine that. “Listen, my son…” are the repeated words throughout the book. The purpose is to show the son that we need Someone outside ourselves to determine what is important. It starts with “Listen my son… lay still while your diaper is being changed…”
Monday, October 17, 2011
Homework
by Kelly Knowlden
“Go do your homework,” seems like a simple enough command. And it is for those who have been trained to do homework. But I am concerned that children and young people are often told to go do their homework without interactions from parents. I know that by seventh or eighth grade, the math becomes more difficult than parents can remember. But really that does not matter.
Reading or any subject that requires reading, is an opportunity for you to interact with the world that is being presented in the text and guide your child’s thinking about it. Math is an opportunity to interact with the world of numbers. My kids knew that when Dad asked math questions, he was clueless about what should be on the paper, but they always enjoyed me saying, “Oh, goodie! Let me help you with your trig!”
Parents studying spelling with their children until there are no more spelling tests shows that you are interested in them. Asking them vocabulary words can make learning fun. Reviewing work sheets helps them organize thought. (My wife and I had multiple refresher courses on the history of the world, space science and on every topic that was a term paper until the twelfth grade.)
Homework is exactly that. It is work to be done at home… in your home… with you. There is no alternative that is better. Train up a child in the way he should go… involves being with your child and helping them think about the world. Homework provides a valuable means to do that. Try, “Come, let’s do your homework.”
“Go do your homework,” seems like a simple enough command. And it is for those who have been trained to do homework. But I am concerned that children and young people are often told to go do their homework without interactions from parents. I know that by seventh or eighth grade, the math becomes more difficult than parents can remember. But really that does not matter.
Reading or any subject that requires reading, is an opportunity for you to interact with the world that is being presented in the text and guide your child’s thinking about it. Math is an opportunity to interact with the world of numbers. My kids knew that when Dad asked math questions, he was clueless about what should be on the paper, but they always enjoyed me saying, “Oh, goodie! Let me help you with your trig!”
Parents studying spelling with their children until there are no more spelling tests shows that you are interested in them. Asking them vocabulary words can make learning fun. Reviewing work sheets helps them organize thought. (My wife and I had multiple refresher courses on the history of the world, space science and on every topic that was a term paper until the twelfth grade.)
Homework is exactly that. It is work to be done at home… in your home… with you. There is no alternative that is better. Train up a child in the way he should go… involves being with your child and helping them think about the world. Homework provides a valuable means to do that. Try, “Come, let’s do your homework.”
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Let's Go Fly a Kite
by Kelly Knowlden
In 1964, Walt Disney produced a movie based on a book by P.L. Travers called “Mary Poppins.” The plot is really tied to an aloof father and loving but distracted mother who are busy with life and leave the raising of the children to a stream of nannies that are ineffective. Julie Andrews comes into this regimented, stuffy family as a very different kind of nanny and sings her way into the children’s (and eventually the parents’) hearts.
The importance of this film is that it critiques parenting. Today, the story is no different. Fathers of any era are often caught up with providing for the needs of the family and mothers are often busy with life’s needs of keeping families on track. This often results in aloof and distracted parents. And the nanny of today often is some electronic gizmo that occupies children with the fun that they want and long for.
The missing element is family relationships...families doing things together...families engaged in conversations…families reading and thinking together. It is the community aspect of relationships that we all need and want. This will come only as families remember what is really important.
How to do that? Ask 100 questions. Make them specific. “How did Spanish class go today?” Or “Who did you sit beside at lunch today?’ “What did you read in reading class?” Once you prime them, and that takes work, go after the homework story. “What do you need to do in algebra?” (I know that you probably don’t remember much algebra - but that doesn’t matter!) Ask them, “Now why is that number there?” Interact with them. Show that you are interested in what they are doing. Sit down with them.
This investment takes time. You only have a few years with them. Then they will be gone. Perhaps you could go fly a kite with them...
In 1964, Walt Disney produced a movie based on a book by P.L. Travers called “Mary Poppins.” The plot is really tied to an aloof father and loving but distracted mother who are busy with life and leave the raising of the children to a stream of nannies that are ineffective. Julie Andrews comes into this regimented, stuffy family as a very different kind of nanny and sings her way into the children’s (and eventually the parents’) hearts.
The importance of this film is that it critiques parenting. Today, the story is no different. Fathers of any era are often caught up with providing for the needs of the family and mothers are often busy with life’s needs of keeping families on track. This often results in aloof and distracted parents. And the nanny of today often is some electronic gizmo that occupies children with the fun that they want and long for.
The missing element is family relationships...families doing things together...families engaged in conversations…families reading and thinking together. It is the community aspect of relationships that we all need and want. This will come only as families remember what is really important.
How to do that? Ask 100 questions. Make them specific. “How did Spanish class go today?” Or “Who did you sit beside at lunch today?’ “What did you read in reading class?” Once you prime them, and that takes work, go after the homework story. “What do you need to do in algebra?” (I know that you probably don’t remember much algebra - but that doesn’t matter!) Ask them, “Now why is that number there?” Interact with them. Show that you are interested in what they are doing. Sit down with them.
This investment takes time. You only have a few years with them. Then they will be gone. Perhaps you could go fly a kite with them...
Monday, October 3, 2011
Say "Yes"
by Kelly Knowlden
Similar to last week’s note concerning the frown of disapproval, we need to listen to ourselves to hear how often “No!” comes out of our mouth. “Don’t do that!” “Stop,” and “I’ve told you a hundred times..” are relatives of the word ‘no.’
I want to say “yes” to as much as possible in life. I want to convey to students that what they are asking is possible whenever possible. Do they want to run in the halls. The answer is “yes, that sounds like fun!!!” (I mean if you were a kid, and you saw this long uninterrupted floor space— wouldn’t you want to run?) However, I must quickly add, “You know, maybe we can have a race down the hall someday. But right now is not the time. Perhaps if you join after school basketball or track, you can join the running-in-the-hall club.”
Do they want to play hide and seek in the clothing racks at the mall? You bet! I’ve been tempted to that myself. Do they have toys in school. Sure. Even 7th graders keep little plastic critters in their pocket. So if I meet all the possible wrong-doings with “NO! Stop that!” I will create in my home or school, a critical, cynical, negative, joyless atmosphere that does not convey the truth about God and His world.
Here is what I mean. Is the God you serve One who looks down over the vault of heaven and sees people enjoying themselves and scowlingly shouts, “Cut it out!”? If so, He is not the God of the Bible. The God of heaven is instead One who looks down on the sons of men with His arms open wide and calls, “Come to Me!”
And so we come… and become like a little child. “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Enjoy the world as a child does and say, “Yes.”
Similar to last week’s note concerning the frown of disapproval, we need to listen to ourselves to hear how often “No!” comes out of our mouth. “Don’t do that!” “Stop,” and “I’ve told you a hundred times..” are relatives of the word ‘no.’
I want to say “yes” to as much as possible in life. I want to convey to students that what they are asking is possible whenever possible. Do they want to run in the halls. The answer is “yes, that sounds like fun!!!” (I mean if you were a kid, and you saw this long uninterrupted floor space— wouldn’t you want to run?) However, I must quickly add, “You know, maybe we can have a race down the hall someday. But right now is not the time. Perhaps if you join after school basketball or track, you can join the running-in-the-hall club.”
Do they want to play hide and seek in the clothing racks at the mall? You bet! I’ve been tempted to that myself. Do they have toys in school. Sure. Even 7th graders keep little plastic critters in their pocket. So if I meet all the possible wrong-doings with “NO! Stop that!” I will create in my home or school, a critical, cynical, negative, joyless atmosphere that does not convey the truth about God and His world.
Here is what I mean. Is the God you serve One who looks down over the vault of heaven and sees people enjoying themselves and scowlingly shouts, “Cut it out!”? If so, He is not the God of the Bible. The God of heaven is instead One who looks down on the sons of men with His arms open wide and calls, “Come to Me!”
And so we come… and become like a little child. “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Enjoy the world as a child does and say, “Yes.”
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Doghouse
by Kelly Knowlden
The Frown-of-Disapproval, The-Knitting-of-the-Eyebrows, and The-I’m-Disappointed-With-You-Statement undermines your work as a parent. We should NOT be conveying to our children that they somehow have made us unhappy. Why?
Children who live with those pressures soon realize that they must “perform” to win Mom and Dad’s approval. Because they are sinners, they also learn pretty quickly that they do more that displeases than makes their parents happy. It also makes the whole issue of training to be about us. Here is what I mean.
I did not make up the moral code that I want my children to live by. God did. Therefore, when they disobey, or are disrespectful, the issue is really not about me or my feelings or what I like. They have broken the Law of God. I become the mediator. I must bring to them life giving words that are corrective. (Do they understand what they did? Do they understand why it is wrong? Do they know that ultimately their offense is toward God?) I must make the discipline match God’s directives...measured and appropriate to the offense. And I must make sure that they know that I love them and that I am on their side. (“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb. 12:11) I love it when I get to talk to your children in my office. It is an opportunity to participate in the work of the Holy Spirit by drawing alongside to help in bringing life giving words of truth to them.
The Frown-of-Disapproval, The-Knitting-of-the-Eyebrows, and The-I’m-Disappointed-With-You-Statement undermines your work as a parent. We should NOT be conveying to our children that they somehow have made us unhappy. Why?
Children who live with those pressures soon realize that they must “perform” to win Mom and Dad’s approval. Because they are sinners, they also learn pretty quickly that they do more that displeases than makes their parents happy. It also makes the whole issue of training to be about us. Here is what I mean.
I did not make up the moral code that I want my children to live by. God did. Therefore, when they disobey, or are disrespectful, the issue is really not about me or my feelings or what I like. They have broken the Law of God. I become the mediator. I must bring to them life giving words that are corrective. (Do they understand what they did? Do they understand why it is wrong? Do they know that ultimately their offense is toward God?) I must make the discipline match God’s directives...measured and appropriate to the offense. And I must make sure that they know that I love them and that I am on their side. (“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb. 12:11) I love it when I get to talk to your children in my office. It is an opportunity to participate in the work of the Holy Spirit by drawing alongside to help in bringing life giving words of truth to them.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Listen My Son
by Kelly Knowlden
This is the “Year of the Ear.” We are using the Proverbs to talk about listening. The first nine chapters either refer to or imply “Listen, my son…” and then talk about what to listen to and the benefits of hearing instruction.
One of the things that I have been struck by is the implication that the father who is speaking believes that listening is important and wants to do that himself. Here is what I mean. Parents that are interested in hearing what others (not just children) have to say, are more likely to be genuinely interested in hearing what their children have to say. Asking questions, listening to their stories, enjoying their ideas all reflect a desire to know what they are thinking. This in turn, fosters a desire to hear. So when dad says, “listen, my son,” he has gained their ear because he has modeled it himself.
Two cautions: in our busyness, it is hard work to listen. We have things that we must communicate or we must get done, or we feel pressured by. So hearing a child’s story of his big toe hurting, or a middle school daughter’s lament over not having any friends or a high school student’s concerns over how they look is often heard “under pressure.” Then the hard work of sitting down and listening to them comes into play. The other caution is to remember that we while we listen with “our ears wide open” yet
we realize that they are immature in their thinking and listen within that framework. Let’s encourage our children to listen by being listeners.
This is the “Year of the Ear.” We are using the Proverbs to talk about listening. The first nine chapters either refer to or imply “Listen, my son…” and then talk about what to listen to and the benefits of hearing instruction.
One of the things that I have been struck by is the implication that the father who is speaking believes that listening is important and wants to do that himself. Here is what I mean. Parents that are interested in hearing what others (not just children) have to say, are more likely to be genuinely interested in hearing what their children have to say. Asking questions, listening to their stories, enjoying their ideas all reflect a desire to know what they are thinking. This in turn, fosters a desire to hear. So when dad says, “listen, my son,” he has gained their ear because he has modeled it himself.
Two cautions: in our busyness, it is hard work to listen. We have things that we must communicate or we must get done, or we feel pressured by. So hearing a child’s story of his big toe hurting, or a middle school daughter’s lament over not having any friends or a high school student’s concerns over how they look is often heard “under pressure.” Then the hard work of sitting down and listening to them comes into play. The other caution is to remember that we while we listen with “our ears wide open” yet
we realize that they are immature in their thinking and listen within that framework. Let’s encourage our children to listen by being listeners.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Blurb
by Kelly Knowlden
Blurb: Term coined by Gelett Burgess [1907] famous for purple cow poems:
However, a piece of paper is only one-sided. It is not a very satisfactory conversation. So please, if you have any comments, questions, and observations about what is written or what we are doing -- please call and talk to me. I am anxious to have this be a dynamic process that engages your ideas as well. Thanks in advance for your part in this conversation.
Blurb: Term coined by Gelett Burgess [1907] famous for purple cow poems:
I never saw a purple cow,Each week, I will be writing a short Blurb about matters related to schooling and parenting. My goal in this is twofold. One is to have us take a few minutes to stop and thing. Because of the busyness of life, I need this. I need to reflect often on what I am doing and why. The second goal is to have us stop and think together. Because we are designed to live in communitites, we at ICS are bound together by common concerns of educating our children. That commonality means that we must have an ongoing conversation about the best ways to accomplish those ends. We need to reflect on what He says is important in raising children and educating them. This is an intentional attempt to do that.
I never hope to see one,
But from the milk we're getting now,
There certainly must be one.
However, a piece of paper is only one-sided. It is not a very satisfactory conversation. So please, if you have any comments, questions, and observations about what is written or what we are doing -- please call and talk to me. I am anxious to have this be a dynamic process that engages your ideas as well. Thanks in advance for your part in this conversation.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
First Day - Last Day
by Kelly Knowlden
The first day of school each year is an event that is very important in the lives of our children. They are anxious in thinking about new friends, new things to learn, and sometimes a new teacher! All of us look forward to special days with anticipation and certain fears. They come. They go. And then they become part of the back-ground of life patterns. In many ways these special days that we anticipate are a picture of the “Grand Day” when Jesus comes again. That is THE Grand Excitement for which we look.
But we must live our first day (and every day) in light of the last day of school ...or of life, because then the value of what has been done each day will be measured.
As parents, we need to have that long term view of each day’s work so that we invest it rightly. We must show our students what is ultimately valuable by how we spend our days and how we respond to what God brings our way. When calamity strikes, we don’t strike back, but we respond with confidence in what God has brought (like roofs that leak and postpone our plans!)
This year our goal is to hold out for your children the reality of That Grand Day of Jesus’ return as they work and play and learn.. We want it ALL to be done in light of that First ‘Day’ of eternity.
The first day of school each year is an event that is very important in the lives of our children. They are anxious in thinking about new friends, new things to learn, and sometimes a new teacher! All of us look forward to special days with anticipation and certain fears. They come. They go. And then they become part of the back-ground of life patterns. In many ways these special days that we anticipate are a picture of the “Grand Day” when Jesus comes again. That is THE Grand Excitement for which we look.
But we must live our first day (and every day) in light of the last day of school ...or of life, because then the value of what has been done each day will be measured.
As parents, we need to have that long term view of each day’s work so that we invest it rightly. We must show our students what is ultimately valuable by how we spend our days and how we respond to what God brings our way. When calamity strikes, we don’t strike back, but we respond with confidence in what God has brought (like roofs that leak and postpone our plans!)
This year our goal is to hold out for your children the reality of That Grand Day of Jesus’ return as they work and play and learn.. We want it ALL to be done in light of that First ‘Day’ of eternity.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Editorial: Can Work Be Fun
Can work be fun? Yes, it can. This month, I got to experience a trip where work was fun?
In January, I, along with Kerry Boehret and Jon Hall, got the amazing opportunity to go on a relief missions trip at Lakeshore, Mississippi, where we worked for the whole week, furthering God’s kingdom and loving others. It was a week of pure work, but it was the best week of my life. Why? I was surrounded by Christians, working toward a common goal. It was a foretaste of Heaven.
When our high school trip to Boston got cancelled a few months ago, we were very disappointed. It is hard to give up the annual trip, especially since it has happened for 9 years. Instead we got a trip to Camp Ladore, in Waymart, PA, where we offered our help to the camp. They put us to good use.
The high school trip reminded me a whole lot of the Lakeshore trip. We were working in the rain, but we didn’t care. We pushed someone’s car out of the mud and got dirty, but that didn’t make a difference to us. We were having such a good time working for a common goal and not much else mattered to us.
That night, we had a game time where many people who were tired still had enough energy to play. During devotions, our high school became even more unified as we sang joyously and listened intently as Mr. K. led the devotional. I don’t think anyone wanted to go to sleep.
But we needed sleep. I woke up the next morning to the first sunny day in April! It was beautiful! After another great devotional time led by Mr. Riggall, and a good breakfast, we all got back to work.
If I thought the first day went well, it didn’t compare at all to the second day. I got to be on the “boat crew” where several of us demolished the deck of a pontoon boat. Others cleaned cabins; the camp director said that he hadn’t seen these cabins this clean since working there. We worked strenuously until lunch and finished the job. After lunch, we put away all the snow fences for them.
By the end of the day, most of us were tired and sun-burnt. But we didn’t care, because all of us knew that we had done work for God’s kingdom, and we had an incredible time doing so.
~SB (Student Editor)
My High School Trip
What would you do if you thought you could die in the next thirty minutes? What song would be the last one you would want to listen to, who would be the last person you would want to see, which movie would you want to be your last? My adventure began about twenty minutes before the end of the high school trip.
During the bus ride home I had a terrible headache, so I decided to try to get some sleep. When I awoke, my head was spinning and my vision was blurred and my wonderful and cheerful friend, Ali Gemmell, was crying her eyes out in pain. I felt useless. I wanted to help, but didn’t know how I could. I was in a state of confusion and sat back against my seat. I asked Mrs. Tripp for an Ibuprofen which I received from Jonathan Hall.
I sat back, and the majority of my story, from here on, will be according to the observations of others. After sitting back against the chair I blacked out and fell on the floor. After about a minute, I awoke staring into the eyes of Brandon Bellinghausen and Jon Hall. I was confused and scared. I recognized Brandon and Jon’s faces, but couldn’t connect names to them. I couldn’t focus on one person at a time. I was shaking and I was unable respond to questions. The first person that I could connect the face and voice to the name was my best friend Scott Boehret. I was rushed to the emergency room and stayed there till 2:00 a.m. My body had calmed down after about an hour in the state described above.
Last Wednesday, April 27, I went to the hospital yet again for a three-hour glucose tolerance test where I had to fast all morning, go to the hospital, and drink a bottle of sickeningly sweet juice. I would then have to have my blood taken every hour for a total of four times. My blood sugar is all right, but I do have to watch my eating and eat more consistently. I am scheduled to be tested for heart problems in May. Therefore, I would appreciate your prayers, and I thank those who have prayed for me. Particularly, I would like to thank Kerry and Scott Boehret, Sarah and Brandon Bellinghausen, Jon Hall, Mrs. Tripp, Kelly Schwiker, Mr. K, Mr. Riggall, Miss Boston, Ali Gemmell, and my family, for their prayers and help in one way or another.
Thoughts from the Photographer
This year’s high school trip was another successful one. The entire high school went on a two-day trip to Camp Ladore in Waymart, PA. This was a Salvation Army camp that we cleaned and helped by doing a bunch of odd jobs. The third day was a trip to the Bronx Zoo. The high school went on a seven-hour trip to the Zoo that had fish and giraffes and everything in between.
~RG
My High School Trip
Wow. That would be the word that I would use to describe my high school trip experience. We went to help out at a camp, called Camp Ladore. When I first heard about it, my first thoughts were, "Oh boy, this isn’t going to be fun." But before the trip started, I was determined to view this trip in a positive light. After all, the trip would become what I made of it!
So early in the morning I woke up and came to school. We left the school shortly. My car ride included various story times and lots of laughter with my fellow sophomore girl classmates. That was the start of a great trip. When we arrived, we were introduced to the camp by Sarah, a lady with a British accent. Cool, right? Then we split up into cleaning groups: most guys, who would clean up more outdoor things and most girls, who cleaned the cabins.
My specific group was very enthusiastic about our job, to say the least. Alyssa Winters and I volunteered to clean the site nobody wanted to…..THE BATHROOM! So we had to clean the sinks and toilets and everything else the bathrooms had to offer. Believe it or not, we had such a great time, I would gladly go back and do it again! We sang songs the whole time varying from "High School Musical" to random hymns. And we did this job for two days. On the second day, we changed location from one cabin to another.
Then something unexpected happened. While I was cleaning, James Wolfe and Josh Hall dropped by giving us a few lollipops and gum that they “discovered.” Yanira Paulino and I, being very exhausted and not thinking clearly, ate the gum and lollipops never asking where they were found. Momentarily, we were told that the candy was found under one of the beds, and the last time those cabins were used was last summer! At that moment, I felt sick. But nothing became of it, so I just let it slide.
We finally left the camp and stopped at Wendy’s on the way home. That was a very ordinary stop, until many students decided to run around the Wendy’s and perform a Chinese fire drill! It was awesome! We arrived home safely afterwards, thankfully.
The next day we went to the Bronx zoo! On the long bus ride, many students were singing various songs and playing certain hand slapping games to pass the time. At the zoo itself, we had many adventures including a Dora 4D movie, a carousel of bugs, Brandon Bellinghausen communicating with a lemur, Josh Hall being chased by a peacock, and Kelly Schwiker touching a goat! It was a one of a kind experience that can never be replaced.
But on the way home, ten minutes from the school, tragedy struck! Ali Gemmell was sick, and Caleb Irvin passed out! It was a very emotional and nervous time for everyone! When we got to the school, Caleb was rushed to the emergency room while many people stayed behind at the school and prayed for him and Ali. Thankfully, they are both doing a lot better, so our prayers were answered! Thank the Lord! Overall our high school trip wasn’t what we expected, but was a very crazy adventure!
~NC
High School Trip
The High School Trip has been when the high school takes a trip to a major city. Unfortunately, due to financial problems, the trip to Boston had to be canceled. But I think I speak for everyone when I say that the trip to Camp Ladore was better than a major city trip. Camp Ladore is a Salvation Army camp. While the high school was there from April 13th to the 14th, they mostly cleaned cabins. Some students got to push a car out of mud and others got to “destroy” a boat. Everyone had a lot of fun and the people in charge were very grateful for all of our hard work.
Friday, April 15th, was the trip to the Bronx Zoo. The Bronx Zoo has a lot of animals to see and admire; such as flamingos, owls, eagles, reptiles, lions, tigers and many more. The trip was a blast and everyone is looking forward to next year’s trip to Philadelphia.
~MG
Zoo Trip
On Friday, the high school students went to the Bronx Zoo. We took an auto bus to New York. When we got there we split up into groups and looked at the animals. We ate lunch around 12 o’clock. After we ate, we walked around some more. There were a very wide variety of animals. We got to pet and feed some of the animals also. We left the zoo around 5 o’clock. On the way home, we stopped at McDonald’s to get something to eat. We arrived back at the school around 9 o’clock, and everyone went home.
~MK
High School Trip
This year ICS’s high school, instead of going to Boston, went to Waymart, PA, and Bronx, New York. For the first two days they did some hard-core work at a Salvation Army camp in Waymart. However, for the final day they ventured to New York to learn and explore in the BRONX ZOO. They enjoyed friends and fellowship.
The Banner staff hopes and prays that the high school prayed and enjoyed their time being a testimony for God.
~TF
Monday, April 11, 2011
Update
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Boy's Basketball
The boys basketball team had a game against Bloomsburg on Febuary 17th. They lost but didn't go down easily. Their top scorers included Lucas Meises with 12, Walker Day with 9 and Gino Cannon with 8. Lucas Meises also mastered rebounds with 6 followed by Ethan Culbert with 4 and Caleb Irvin with 3. All of these scorers are sophmores. The Lions went down hard but are prepared to come back next year for a victory. The crowd turnout wasn't big considering it was an away game but Coach Day is very proud of the performance his Lions gave him this season. Overall the Lions improved a lot over this season. In the process of rebuilding their team because they lost a senior last year, they learned what it means to work as a team and have won multiple games as a result. The fact is that they are a young team and have room to improve. Its exciting to see what future years will hold for them as they progress!
~NC
~NC
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
World's Fair
On February 15, 2011, the high school geography class held a World’s Fair in the school auditurium duing second period. All of the students came up to see the displays of many countries. The students had the chance to visit each display and ask questions about each country. Each display had two interesting facts to tell the students. Some displays had food to give to the students to help represent the countries better. Europe was the main continent displayed in the Fair, however South America and Central America were represented also. The reason the World’s Fair was held was to help both the presenting students and the rest of the school learn about our world. About a week before the Fair all of the students in the geography class had to research their own country and present that country in front of the class. The country that the student researched was the country they had to present in the World’s Fair. The school was pleased with the results of the Fair.
~MK
Drama
With less than a month away, the drama team is very busy. In order for the production of A Man Called Peter to be pulled off by April 8th, actors need to memorize all lines by March 23rd, the set needs to be completed, costumes need to be put together, and actors need to become their characters.
How’s all of this coming? Let’s start with the memorization of lines. In the last rehearsal, most of the supporting actors had the majority of their lines memorized. Some of the major characters have yet to memorize their lines totally. All of the drama team is very familiar with their script, but they still have some polishing to do.
The set is coming along well! There have been two Saturday set days where students have come in and along with Mr. Keith Knowlden and have built stage extensions so that the set may fit the stage. The walls have been painted and will be finished in upcoming days.
Costumes are still in the idea phase right now, as characters are trying to figure out what they would have worn. If you wish to help out with costuming, please tell Mr. Keith Knowlden.
As for getting into character, the actors are doing a very good job. This play is not an easy play to act, as it is a drama and not a comedy.
Don’t forget to put the dates for the play on your calendar, April 8th and 9th!
~SB
How’s all of this coming? Let’s start with the memorization of lines. In the last rehearsal, most of the supporting actors had the majority of their lines memorized. Some of the major characters have yet to memorize their lines totally. All of the drama team is very familiar with their script, but they still have some polishing to do.
The set is coming along well! There have been two Saturday set days where students have come in and along with Mr. Keith Knowlden and have built stage extensions so that the set may fit the stage. The walls have been painted and will be finished in upcoming days.
Costumes are still in the idea phase right now, as characters are trying to figure out what they would have worn. If you wish to help out with costuming, please tell Mr. Keith Knowlden.
As for getting into character, the actors are doing a very good job. This play is not an easy play to act, as it is a drama and not a comedy.
Don’t forget to put the dates for the play on your calendar, April 8th and 9th!
~SB
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Banner
Soon you will be able to find Banner articles on-line. This will not mean the disappearance of a printed Banner. Each month, several of the articles from this site, will be printed and distributed to the students and families of the school.
Currently, comments will not be allowed on this site, however, if you need to contact the moderator of this page, please email banner@icshazleton.com.
~Editor
Currently, comments will not be allowed on this site, however, if you need to contact the moderator of this page, please email banner@icshazleton.com.
~Editor
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