People of Prayer

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' Luke 18:13

The man that prayed this simple but powerful prayer, was someone that was viewed by the religious leaders with distrust and disdain. He was despised for his way of life and treatment of people. However, we read of his recognition of his situation. He was a sinner. He realized that he needed God's grace and mercy and so he asked for it.

I have challenged our leaders at Mandarin Christian School to join together for 90 days of prayer for MCS to conclude on Friday, May 23. I would like to ask you to join us in praying for God's provision, protection, and direction for us as we continue to mature and grow as a Christian school. A person of prayer is one that simply, humbly, and sincerely bows before God and pours out the contents of his/her heart. Some things to consider as you pray: location you choose for prayer, the amount of distraction around you and your state of mind as you come before God. Ask God to help you focus on Him as you pray. Then just share the concerns of your heart.

We are engaged in a battle for the hearts of souls of our children and ourselves. Let us not stop praying for God to lead and guide us as we encounter a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile to the ways of God. Let us remain humble, caring, loving, compassionate, and Christ-like as we have the opportunities to interact with the people around us. God have mercy on us!

Creation

It's interesting to me that we have a debate in our state about whether or not evolution should be taught in our public schools. People on both sides speak out with such passion and excitement about their viewpoint or perspective. As I have been listening and reading over the past few days, one thing is obvious to me, people on both sides are adamant about their beliefs.

Let me share what we believe at Mandarin Christian School:

• God was "in the beginning," and He is eternal (Genesis 1:1; 21:33)
• God is the Creator of the universe and heavens - everything (Genesis 1)
• God created both male and female (Genesis 1:27; 5:2)
• All humans beings are descendants of Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:28a; 3:20)
• Man is not an animal; he was set above the animals (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:19)
• We are made in the "image of God" (Genesis 1:27; 5:1)
• There is good and there is evil (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:5)
  

For all of us, whether Christian or not, it boils down to which view of the world we choose to follow. It is either Biblical or it is not. We either have a Biblical worldview or a non-Biblical worldview. Does evolution line up with God's Word? The answer is no.

Dr. Jason Lisle, said it well when he said, "Since science requires the Biblical principle of uniformity (as well as a number of other Biblical creation principles), it is rather amazing that one could be a scientist and also an evolutionist. And yet, there are scientists that profess to believe in evolution. How is that possible?

The answer is that evolutionists are able to do science only because they are inconsistent. They accept biblical principles such as uniformity, while simultaneously denying the Bible from which those principles are derived. Such inconsistency is common secular thinking; secular scientists claim that the universe is not designed, but they do science as if the universe is designed and
upheld by God in a uniform way. Evolutionists can do science only if they rely on biblical creation assumptions (such as uniformity) that are contrary to their professed belief in
evolution."

We all need to be informed on the issues and not just blindly accept what people tell us. As Christians, we must always compare what we hear with God's Word. The world will tell us something based on their belief system. We must be prepared to defend our own beliefs in logical, rational, and Biblically-informed ways.

For more information on the creation vs. evolution debate, check out these resources.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
"Mere Creation: Science, Faith & Intelligent Design" by William A. Dembski
"Bio-Engagement: Making a Christian Difference through Bioethics Today" by Nigel M.de S. Cameron, Scott E. Daniels and Barbara J. White.
"The Genesis Solution" by Ken Ham and Paul Taylor
"In Six Days: Why 50 Scientists Choose to Believe in Creation" edited by John F. Ashton, PhD

Are You Leading a Big Life?

What a great week at Mandarin Christian School. This week, we celebrate our annual missions week at MCS, in which we focus on God's work around the world. We will have the opportunity to learn about several different missions opportunities through our special chapel services this week. This morning, we were all challenged by John Heerema, President of Big Life Ministries, Inc. Big Life Ministries was born out of a challenge to live a big life for Jesus. Ephesians 4:1 encourages us to "live a life worthy of the calling we have received." The primary purpose of Big Life Ministries is to empower, equip and encourage local believers to reach their own people for Jesus Christ. Mr. Heerema shared how God is using people of all ages to share Christ in areas of the world that have never heard the message of the Gospel. It was an excellent reminder for each of us to go and make disciples of the people that we know and have contact with in our schools, our neighborhoods, our communities, and areas of influence.

Are we living lives of great big Kingdom impact, or are we going through the motions day after day with little or no impact for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ? I hope that each student and staff member and MCS family will look for ways to impact the world around them for Christ. None of us are perfect. None of us are without fault or sin. However, God still chooses to use those who will follow and obey His ways, to fulfill His purposes. It is a blessing that God allows us to be used by Him as He desires. The challenge for us is to be so closely in tune with His ways and His Word that we don't miss those incredible opportunities that He puts before us to share the eternal message of love and hope found in Jesus alone.

The Truth Project

For several years now, I have been burdened with the not-so-subtle way in which we, as Christians, have allowed the world's perspective to creep into our daily lives. We allow things to enter our homes via the television, radio, and internet - things that a few decades ago would have been considered by most people to be inappropriate and offensive. Now we may actually find ourselves entertained by television shows that promote teenage promiscuity, drug use, alcohol use, and rebellion. The things that previously bothered us, no longer bother us. We have become calloused (without feeling) to the ways of the world. It happens over time. Sometimes we don't even realize what we are participating in and condoning by our actions. So what? It doesn't really harm me. I can handle it. I'm mature enough to recognize and deal with the things of this world, and "not be taken captive by the hollow and deceptive philosophies of the day" (Colossians 2:8).

Let me suggest that each one of us has a lot to learn when it comes to thinking about the world around us from a Biblical perspective. One of the main goals that we have for our students at Mandarin Christian School is that they would learn to look at the world through the lens of Scripture and then be able to apply those principles into their daily lives. Thus, allowing them to live the abundant, joyful life that God has intended for them.

It all begins with us recognizing "Truth" and recognizing that which is false.

Who is God? Why am I here?
Are there absolutes? What is Truth?

“Do you really believe what you believe is really real?"

Are you aware of the Cosmic Battle that is being waged daily in our culture?
Are we being taken captive by the lies of the world?

In a recent survey, The Barna Group found that only 9% of professing Christians hold a
Biblical worldview. Does this concern you? Are you asking yourself what can be done to reverse this trend?

In answer to these questions, Christ's Church is proud to offer Focus on the Family's
"The Truth Project" ...an in-depth Christian Worldview Experience.
Beginning February 26th, this study will be presented at the Mandarin Campus on
Tuesday evenings from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., for thirteen weeks.

I want to invite you to join me and others on this journey each Tuesday evening at Christ's Church. I know that you will be challenged, blessed, encouraged, and stretched in your worldview development by being a part of this study.

To sign up, you can go to http://www.ccontheweb.com/ and click on "The Truth Project" banner on the right side of the home page. For more information go to http://www.truthproject.org/.

Hope to see you there.