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.
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