~ And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when he appears we may
have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at His coming. ~
I John 2:28
Report Cards
The end of the 3rd quarter is here! Today was the last day to get those grades up, turn in any missing assignments and score our best on tests! Times up!
Students:
How did you do this quarter? Did you apply yourself? Did you try your best? Are you showing respect and love to your fellow classmates and teachers? Private schools are known for pushing kids academically at the same time showing them a Christian atmosphere to guide them on their spiritual walks. We want these kids to succeed now and in their futures!
The day will also come for our final spiritual test. How have we done with our assignments? What kind of grades are we getting? We don’t when our time will be up, and we won’t get the opportunity to quick “study” the night before. Our “review” or “study guide” so-to speak is right here and now! Just like in academic subjects, we may be good at some things and not so good at others; but thankfully, we have someone who has paid our price and forgiven our F’s.
Let’s go forth with confidence into the 4th quarter!
REMINDERS
EASTER EGG HUNT OPPORTUNITIES
1) March 27: Outdoor Egg Hunt in the Gaylord City Park @ 9 a.m.
2) Egg My Yard Sponsored by the ILC Youth Group April 2-3
CALENDAR
March 30: VB Game in Mankato @ 4:30
April 1-5: NO SCHOOL/
April 8: Home VB Game @4:30 Spring Pics
April 9: Spelling Bee/Gideon Dog Visit
April 18: Gospel Drama at 2:00pm
~ Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously
or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be
something we aren’t!” ~ Galations 5:26
GOD’S Garden
Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. I think a lot of people probably agree (if only for the “change” or the warmer temps). I personally LOVE flower gardening and can’t wait each spring to get my hands in the dirt. It intrigues me and never ceases to amaze me how the new life sprouts back EVERY year—bound and determined to produce a lovely masterpiece—no matter their height, color or timing!!! They were designed perfectly to do what they were meant to do—each their own! And that’s what makes the gardening fun! It’s a puzzle trying to design a flower bed. You don’t want to put shorter growing plants behind the taller blossoms, or late bloomers behind the leftover dried stems of early bloomers. It all takes time, thought and care and concern for each one to drive home their purpose! –A lot like us. We were all created and designed exactly when and how God wanted us. We all have different talents and different characteristics that serve a purpose for His glory! Sure, we all make mistakes. None of us are perfect. But how God created us is exactly perfect! We need to emphasize what he has already given us and ask Him to help us use whatever quality it is about us…for Him! It isn’t about getting the most out of this life for our own satisfaction but rather us bound and determined and ready to bloom when and where God wants us to! We aren’t “out of place” or “not good enough” for His garden. He designed us and planted us in just the right spot—Now grow! With Him!!!
~ Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day;
the night is coming when no one can work.” ~ John 9:4
Set Your Clocks!
That time of year is here again where we “spring ahead.” I personally always
look forward to this time, the extra hour of daylight at least; but, no one ever likes to lose an hour. How often do we wish “there were more hours in the day?” We all wish we could get so much more accomplished in a day, in a week…. in a lifetime. Unfortunately, we can’t change time. Our time here is already determined. Billy Graham once said, “Knowing an average life is 70-some years, think about this: The first 15 are spent in childhood. We spend 20 years sleeping. In our final years, physical limitations curtail our activities. So, you’ve only got about 30 years left.” Now that to me is what you call a time crunch! I personally could get depressed thinking about time this way. However, it also really makes a person think more intently on how we want to spend that time, or rather how we SHOULD spend that time (especially if that amount of time isn’t even guaranteed to us). We have a lot of responsibility as parents, employees, friends, godparents, etc. And what about a little fun and relaxation? Where are our priorities, and are we thinking more about the time here or preparing ourselves and the NEXT GENERATIONS for their eternal time in heaven?
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…
~Ephesians 1:18~
Seeing What You Want to See
We celebrated Dr. Seuss this week in school. We all remember particular books he wrote and certain lessons that may have even been taught. “His words mean much more than the regular stuff. They help us to see worlds out way far into space and remind us of principles from a heavenly place.” (creativebiblestudy.com)
Without causing debate, it’s hard to ignore some of the controversy sparked about Dr. Seuss books in the last week. Honestly, I didn’t look into all of it and research what could have been said that would be so horrible, but I do know there were also some great words of wisdom, and THAT is what I’m going to choose to remember and share! It continues to amaze me how we can look at some things that may not be the most morally correct and go on like nothing, and yet criticize and almost “search for” something politically incorrect in someone as influential as the author of Dr. Seuss books and make sure we ruin a good image.
Sometimes we need to do research, make sure we’re not blind sighted or missing the picture on major things in life; but SOMETIMES, we just need to look for the good in others. If God took a good look at us and judged us by the way the world seems to be judging everyone today, we’d be in some serious trouble! Not everything we SAY is absolutely perfect. Not everything we DO is absolutely perfect. But God’s grace is ABSOLUTELY perfect for us! I pray our hearts can see what is truly right in this world today! …. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the fun dress-up days and continue to safely learn together at Immanuel! Have a blessed weekend!