Answers in Genesis - what a wonderful name for an organization. I have been a fan and supporter of this ministry for several years. They are prolific in their work to combat the devil's effort to deceive our world. AIG's primary purpose is to defend the absolute trustworthiness of God's Holy Word. They do this by starting with Genesis and defending the accuracy and literal meaning of God's account of history.
Lenexa Baptist Church recently hosted an event with Answers In Genesis's founder Ken Hamm. Dr Gary Parker was there as well and they put on a powerful educational and encouraging conference. Believe it or not, God's Word can be stood on as the foundation of our faith without shame and without fear. God said he created the world and the universe in 6 days, and that is what He did. If you don't believe that and the rest of Genesis - sin, Tower of Babel, the Flood, etc, then the rest of the Bible becomes meaningless. Therefore you better investigate the roots of your beliefs or all is in vain. Believing in a young earth is not what provides salvation, but it is impossible to tell the story why it is important without the right understanding of Genesis.
With all that said, I am so appreciative to be part of Maranatha and the fact that we teach the same beliefs - the same Word of God - that AIG is so forcefully sharing. We are training up our children to have a strong foundation that is unapologetically the Word of God that does not need to be explained away. Make sure you are doing your part to teach and reinforce the trustworthiness of God's account of history in Genesis 1-11.
New Landscaping
Beautiful new landscaping
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Basketball - Dealing with Adversity
Basketball is just a game, however, it is also something that our kids - and we as parents - can invest a lot of time, emotions, effort and thought. When we don't measure up to the world's standards of success - winning on the scoreboard and posting impressive individual stats - it can get discouraging. I hurt with our girls as they struggle to deal with this fact.
At the same time, I rejoice as I see them dig deep into themselves and respond with godly character. They initiated and have faithfully continued having devotions before each game. They spend the time, noting on the white board before the game how they want to contribute to the team. I challenge them about making the sacrifice to improve and be the best they can be for the team, and they respond by showing up early to practice, by working on the specific areas that I challenge them on. That is winning in Christian way.
God does not guarantee worldly success if we obey Him and do the right things. However He does say that He will reward His children for that obedience in His way. Your daughters are learning that lesson through the method of a basketball season. Pray for their perseverance.
At the same time, I rejoice as I see them dig deep into themselves and respond with godly character. They initiated and have faithfully continued having devotions before each game. They spend the time, noting on the white board before the game how they want to contribute to the team. I challenge them about making the sacrifice to improve and be the best they can be for the team, and they respond by showing up early to practice, by working on the specific areas that I challenge them on. That is winning in Christian way.
God does not guarantee worldly success if we obey Him and do the right things. However He does say that He will reward His children for that obedience in His way. Your daughters are learning that lesson through the method of a basketball season. Pray for their perseverance.
Board Update
January has proven to be a challenge pulling the Board and the Committees together. Schedules are very busy with work, sports, and other activities. So we postponed our Board meeting and several of the Committees have still to meet. The Finance Committee is meeting today, and we have a lot to cover: next year's budget, tuition schedules, salary schedules, plus the normal monthly items of reviewing this year's budget, accounts receivables, etc. In the preliminary proposals from Dr Daugherty, there are some significant positive steps that it appears we can take with the budget if enrollment holds year over year: salary increases, more reserves, better financial situation over the summer months and perhaps hiring for some key responsibilities. Praise God for His blessings. Please pray for us as we review all of these important items and prepare recommendations for the Board.
The Planning Committee continues to concentrate on developing a succession plan for key leadership positions. Being thoughtful and purposeful in having this plan in place before it is needed is critical to the sustainability and smooth operations of the school
The Facilities Committee still has several projects underway: the monument sign at the North Campus and building an airlock entrance into the gym to provide better access and manage our utilities better since a lot of cold air pours into the gym when people go in and out the northern most doors.
The Planning Committee continues to concentrate on developing a succession plan for key leadership positions. Being thoughtful and purposeful in having this plan in place before it is needed is critical to the sustainability and smooth operations of the school
The Facilities Committee still has several projects underway: the monument sign at the North Campus and building an airlock entrance into the gym to provide better access and manage our utilities better since a lot of cold air pours into the gym when people go in and out the northern most doors.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New Year
Welcome to a new year! I hope your holidays were centered around the real reason for celebration...God's rich gift of salvation provided through His Son. In addition, family time is important and for some families I know it was a time of loss as loved ones went home to be with their Lord. However, in everything we can be joyful because we know God is working all things out to His good purpose which in turn is the best thing for us as Christians.
Our family at Maranatha is going strong as enrollment held between semesters, and God bountifully provided a special donation to help out with operation costs. Basketball is in full swing, and I can tell you that your kids are working hard to utilize the skills and interest in this game to be the best they can be. I have watched both JH and HS girls and boys practices, and the coaches are doing a great job of helping our athletes grow in character and basketball prowess. I can specifically say that the HS girls have worked diligently, and I am looking forward to their reward for that hard work in the upcoming games.
As we start this new year, I thought I would remind you that one of the best ways you can help Maranatha, and yourself, is to be a marketing/recruitment agent for the school. January starts the true marketing season for the school as we set the tuition rate, start advertising on billboards, flyers, radio, etc, and we refresh our website (planning on a redesigned site this spring). Please be on the lookout for families (encourage your kids to be agents as well) who would be well served to partner with Maranatha in anchoring their kids in a Christian worldview and developing godly character while striving for academic excellence. The more families who join us in this endeavor, the more we can spread out the financial burden of operating the school...that helps you. More importantly, we further the kingdom of God by encouraging the spiritual growth of our children.
Board meeting coming up next week, so look for reports soon thereafter.
Our family at Maranatha is going strong as enrollment held between semesters, and God bountifully provided a special donation to help out with operation costs. Basketball is in full swing, and I can tell you that your kids are working hard to utilize the skills and interest in this game to be the best they can be. I have watched both JH and HS girls and boys practices, and the coaches are doing a great job of helping our athletes grow in character and basketball prowess. I can specifically say that the HS girls have worked diligently, and I am looking forward to their reward for that hard work in the upcoming games.
As we start this new year, I thought I would remind you that one of the best ways you can help Maranatha, and yourself, is to be a marketing/recruitment agent for the school. January starts the true marketing season for the school as we set the tuition rate, start advertising on billboards, flyers, radio, etc, and we refresh our website (planning on a redesigned site this spring). Please be on the lookout for families (encourage your kids to be agents as well) who would be well served to partner with Maranatha in anchoring their kids in a Christian worldview and developing godly character while striving for academic excellence. The more families who join us in this endeavor, the more we can spread out the financial burden of operating the school...that helps you. More importantly, we further the kingdom of God by encouraging the spiritual growth of our children.
Board meeting coming up next week, so look for reports soon thereafter.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
December Board Meeting
December's meeting was another valuable meeting. However it was different in that as Brandyn West brought the devotional. She had contacted alumni from last year's class and had them write how the Maranatha experience was serving them in their current endeavors. The ringing validation that the work being done through Maranatha is impacting lives and preparing our students for life after school was consistent and strong. We invested a half hour of our meeting celebrating the Lord's work through our students and contemplating how do we package these testimonials and these results and reach other families to consider Maranatha. What a blessing! I have asked Brandyn to get permission for me to post some of these quotes here and to use them on our web site.
After that enjoyable, encouraging time, we went through the Committee reports with the main action taken of accepting the 5 year plans for each Committee. The Facilities Committee will be focusing on significant projects that enhance the fundamentals of the North Campus: finishing the monument sign,adding a security system, reworking the bathrooms in the gymnasium, new air lock entrance to gym and enhancing the stage area with curtains and sound.
The Development Committee will be seeking to raise funds to make some other leaps in our facilities like additional gym bleachers, and making some athletic team rooms. They will also be looking for ways to keep bringing the international students to enrich our school and finding other ways to stabilize our enrollment trends.
The Finance Committee is seeking to keep moving the school to increased financial stability. We are adding more reserve funds for deferred maintenance, capital, and endowment. In addition we are committed to finding a way to unfreeze staff salaries which have been held firm for several years due to budget constraints.
Please continue in prayer as we prepare for the new calendar year. Specifically:
* That families will keep there kids at Maranatha and that new families will join us
* That we will be wise in handling the tuition rate for 2011-2012
* That our finances would continue to build some cushion and provide for some additional contributions to our staff
* That the Board will continue to crystallize our unity around plans, policies and guiding principles
* Most important of all...that God would be glorified in all that relates to Maranatha.
Merry Christmas!
After that enjoyable, encouraging time, we went through the Committee reports with the main action taken of accepting the 5 year plans for each Committee. The Facilities Committee will be focusing on significant projects that enhance the fundamentals of the North Campus: finishing the monument sign,adding a security system, reworking the bathrooms in the gymnasium, new air lock entrance to gym and enhancing the stage area with curtains and sound.
The Development Committee will be seeking to raise funds to make some other leaps in our facilities like additional gym bleachers, and making some athletic team rooms. They will also be looking for ways to keep bringing the international students to enrich our school and finding other ways to stabilize our enrollment trends.
The Finance Committee is seeking to keep moving the school to increased financial stability. We are adding more reserve funds for deferred maintenance, capital, and endowment. In addition we are committed to finding a way to unfreeze staff salaries which have been held firm for several years due to budget constraints.
Please continue in prayer as we prepare for the new calendar year. Specifically:
* That families will keep there kids at Maranatha and that new families will join us
* That we will be wise in handling the tuition rate for 2011-2012
* That our finances would continue to build some cushion and provide for some additional contributions to our staff
* That the Board will continue to crystallize our unity around plans, policies and guiding principles
* Most important of all...that God would be glorified in all that relates to Maranatha.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 6, 2010
That is what I call a WIN!
No we did not win on the scoreboard nor did we even score more points than we did the previous night. However we did accomplish something much more important.
After Thursday night's performance of low energy, minimal commitment to what we had practiced, poor fundamentals, etc, I challenged the girls pretty strongly after the game. When I went down to give the pregame talk the next night, I was pleasantly surprised - although not shocked - to find that the captains - Emma Vavricek and Cassie Fulk - had called a team meeting during the previous quarter of the boy's game. The whole team had agreed on some goals for the team and went around the room and each girl took accountability for their part. I was so blessed by this! They covered every aspect of what I was going to cover about the mental and heart part of dealing with adversity and competing in games. All I had to then discuss was a few strategies and plays and they were ready to go. Parents of these girls, I am just confirming what you probably already know...you have some wonderful girls quickly learning how to deal with life in godly way.
So maybe we all could learn from these families: Vavricek, Hunt, Fulk, Espinoza, Meyer, Bennett, Chapin-Patch, McConnell, Buckner, Kyle and Kroening. I have! And this is why I believe in the Mission of Maranatha.
After Thursday night's performance of low energy, minimal commitment to what we had practiced, poor fundamentals, etc, I challenged the girls pretty strongly after the game. When I went down to give the pregame talk the next night, I was pleasantly surprised - although not shocked - to find that the captains - Emma Vavricek and Cassie Fulk - had called a team meeting during the previous quarter of the boy's game. The whole team had agreed on some goals for the team and went around the room and each girl took accountability for their part. I was so blessed by this! They covered every aspect of what I was going to cover about the mental and heart part of dealing with adversity and competing in games. All I had to then discuss was a few strategies and plays and they were ready to go. Parents of these girls, I am just confirming what you probably already know...you have some wonderful girls quickly learning how to deal with life in godly way.
So maybe we all could learn from these families: Vavricek, Hunt, Fulk, Espinoza, Meyer, Bennett, Chapin-Patch, McConnell, Buckner, Kyle and Kroening. I have! And this is why I believe in the Mission of Maranatha.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Coaching Basketball
Another role I serve at Maranatha is head coach for the high school girls' basketball team. I thoroughly enjoy this ministry! Wonderful young ladies who have linked arms to journey through a season of successes, adversity, joys and tears.
So much can be taught and then applied in the arena of sports. Several examples have already occurred for our team in 2010: we elect our captains at the end of previous season and that gives them almost a whole year of practicing leadership - communication, being an example, making decisions, and mentoring. Another example is adversity which comes when things don't go the way you want - like losing a game. One common theme I have been reminding the girls is that it is in adversity when we learn the most. Isn't that true in life? Well we lost our first game of the season in a fashion that no one enjoyed. How the girls and the coaches respond in our game tonight will be very illuminating as to the character of our team. The scoreboard outcome is unknown, but do we play with heart, do we learn from our mistakes, are we still joyful Christians even in adversity and will we be focused on ourselves or on our team mates?
In the crucible of the basketball court, our girls are getting to put into practical application the Christian character that is being taught and modeled in your homes, at school, in your churches and by the coaches. Let's make sure we are out there rooting them on to succeed at that...regardless of what the scoreboard says.
So much can be taught and then applied in the arena of sports. Several examples have already occurred for our team in 2010: we elect our captains at the end of previous season and that gives them almost a whole year of practicing leadership - communication, being an example, making decisions, and mentoring. Another example is adversity which comes when things don't go the way you want - like losing a game. One common theme I have been reminding the girls is that it is in adversity when we learn the most. Isn't that true in life? Well we lost our first game of the season in a fashion that no one enjoyed. How the girls and the coaches respond in our game tonight will be very illuminating as to the character of our team. The scoreboard outcome is unknown, but do we play with heart, do we learn from our mistakes, are we still joyful Christians even in adversity and will we be focused on ourselves or on our team mates?
In the crucible of the basketball court, our girls are getting to put into practical application the Christian character that is being taught and modeled in your homes, at school, in your churches and by the coaches. Let's make sure we are out there rooting them on to succeed at that...regardless of what the scoreboard says.
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