Dear Friends,
At one of the many Christmas parties I attended this season, those in attendance were encouraged to share a heartwarming story about Christmases past. Almost every person had a story that included a tender family moment, except one. My friend had a very different story. He said his early Christmases were about getting presents and, when he was older, about getting drunk! His first Christmas after finding Jesus was illuminating. “For the first time, I experienced the joy in JOY TO THE WORLD; I appreciated the still silent LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM; I listened with awe to the message of HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING.” His Christmas, and each Christmas since, had and has meaning.
How about you? What is your Christmas story? My prayer is that you will find Jesus. I promise that your Christmases will never be the same…..
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Heroes
Dear Friends,
Who are your heroes? Martin Luther King was a hero in that he championed the cause of equal rights for African-Americans and all groups that find themselves in the minority. Abraham Lincoln was a hero because he stood on principle and held this country together during civil war. Mother Teresa was a heroine because she was the “hands of Christ” to the poorest of the poor. I watched a movie recently in which the “nerdy” man gathered up enough courage to stand up for his girl. She kissed him and whispered in his ear, “You’re my hero!” (Oh, please!)
The problem with heroes is that they are human. If you look closely at their lives, you see that they were/are sinful people. Tiger Woods reached “icon” status with his athletic achievement coupled with an image of generosity and integrity – but we recently learned a different story. Many sports stars are considered heroes but there are too many “fallen heroes” on the field (and golf course). King David had an affair with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered – and he is a Biblical hero!?
I guess we want our children to know that heroes (like Martin Luther King) or Biblical heroes (like David) are just people like you and me. It’s important to distinguish between the heroic act and the rest of the fallen person. We should encourage our kids to model themselves after some particular trait or action of the hero: Be faithful like Abraham or persistent in adversity like MLK. Encourage your children to see heroes around them: a pastor, coach, or neighbor. Heroes provide a model for each of us to emulate, hopefully a picture of godly character, that inspires use to do something greater than ourselves. And don’t forget that there is just one perfect hero. Jesus Christ!
Who are your heroes? Martin Luther King was a hero in that he championed the cause of equal rights for African-Americans and all groups that find themselves in the minority. Abraham Lincoln was a hero because he stood on principle and held this country together during civil war. Mother Teresa was a heroine because she was the “hands of Christ” to the poorest of the poor. I watched a movie recently in which the “nerdy” man gathered up enough courage to stand up for his girl. She kissed him and whispered in his ear, “You’re my hero!” (Oh, please!)
The problem with heroes is that they are human. If you look closely at their lives, you see that they were/are sinful people. Tiger Woods reached “icon” status with his athletic achievement coupled with an image of generosity and integrity – but we recently learned a different story. Many sports stars are considered heroes but there are too many “fallen heroes” on the field (and golf course). King David had an affair with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered – and he is a Biblical hero!?
I guess we want our children to know that heroes (like Martin Luther King) or Biblical heroes (like David) are just people like you and me. It’s important to distinguish between the heroic act and the rest of the fallen person. We should encourage our kids to model themselves after some particular trait or action of the hero: Be faithful like Abraham or persistent in adversity like MLK. Encourage your children to see heroes around them: a pastor, coach, or neighbor. Heroes provide a model for each of us to emulate, hopefully a picture of godly character, that inspires use to do something greater than ourselves. And don’t forget that there is just one perfect hero. Jesus Christ!
Friday, December 4, 2009
World View
Dear Friends,
My wife recounted a discussion she overheard in her workplace, a local public school. The topic was whether or not to use the word “History” in any school literature. To some, the word is inappropriate because it suggests there is a God. It is His-story and therefore should be called something else….
Some issues, by their very nature, cannot be considered without a world view to guide one’s thinking. In Walnut Creek, for example, we are serious about protecting our trees, especially oaks! Why? Because oaks are historic, majestic, and uniquely suited to our climate, but are disappearing within our city limits. Most local people believe that oaks are worthy of our protection, no matter what their religion or political bent. But why? I have an acquaintance who believes that god IS the tree. If pushed to the extreme, she will tell you that the oak tree has as much right to existence as any human being. This is her world view and frames her approach to protecting the oak – at all costs. Contrast this with the Christian world view. God created the cosmos, including the oak tree, and mankind IN HIS IMAGE. Naturally, the Christian respects what God has created and works to preserve the oak tree. But if you have to decide between the oak and the human, the human always wins. So, my acquaintance and I agree, for the most part, on the importance of protecting oak trees in our community. But at some point, our world views collide and we find ourselves on opposite sides.
Our Christian world view is so important to us, that we reorganize our portfolios and commitments to send our children to CCCS. We want our children to ask “Why?” and to use a Christian world view to find answers. When our middle school students are taught sex education, parents know that we stress God’s plan for relationships, marriage, and intimacy. Can this be taught in a neutral environment? Of course not! When high school students read a Hemmingway novel, they probe the author’s motives and agendas in addition to recognizing his classic style. Our children learn to “test everything and hold on to what is good.” And when we consider History, we see God’s sovereign hand throughout the ages. It IS HIS-STORY, no matter what you call it. Our Christianity frames our thinking and our actions. It is who we are!
B.J. Huizenga
My wife recounted a discussion she overheard in her workplace, a local public school. The topic was whether or not to use the word “History” in any school literature. To some, the word is inappropriate because it suggests there is a God. It is His-story and therefore should be called something else….
Some issues, by their very nature, cannot be considered without a world view to guide one’s thinking. In Walnut Creek, for example, we are serious about protecting our trees, especially oaks! Why? Because oaks are historic, majestic, and uniquely suited to our climate, but are disappearing within our city limits. Most local people believe that oaks are worthy of our protection, no matter what their religion or political bent. But why? I have an acquaintance who believes that god IS the tree. If pushed to the extreme, she will tell you that the oak tree has as much right to existence as any human being. This is her world view and frames her approach to protecting the oak – at all costs. Contrast this with the Christian world view. God created the cosmos, including the oak tree, and mankind IN HIS IMAGE. Naturally, the Christian respects what God has created and works to preserve the oak tree. But if you have to decide between the oak and the human, the human always wins. So, my acquaintance and I agree, for the most part, on the importance of protecting oak trees in our community. But at some point, our world views collide and we find ourselves on opposite sides.
Our Christian world view is so important to us, that we reorganize our portfolios and commitments to send our children to CCCS. We want our children to ask “Why?” and to use a Christian world view to find answers. When our middle school students are taught sex education, parents know that we stress God’s plan for relationships, marriage, and intimacy. Can this be taught in a neutral environment? Of course not! When high school students read a Hemmingway novel, they probe the author’s motives and agendas in addition to recognizing his classic style. Our children learn to “test everything and hold on to what is good.” And when we consider History, we see God’s sovereign hand throughout the ages. It IS HIS-STORY, no matter what you call it. Our Christianity frames our thinking and our actions. It is who we are!
B.J. Huizenga
Friday, November 20, 2009
Heart of Thanks
Dear Friends,
I’m so grateful for Thanksgiving because I need to be reminded, even forced at times, to look at my life with a heart of thanks. I have to admit that I have a tendency to want more, expect more. I measure success by what I haven’t accomplished and what I don’t have. Thanksgiving helps me to focus on what is important and to count my blessings. A heart of thanks also strengthens my faith so I can confidently face the future. A heart of thanksgiving helps me to experience peace; a peace that passes understanding.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t thank God for pain, suffering, and death. I thank God that He experienced these things – for you and me! I thank God that He redeems even the most distressing experiences and turns them around for good! God loves, God cares, God provides. I just need to develop a heart of thanks so I can see it!
My prayer for you (and for me), this Thanksgiving, is that you will develop a heart of thanks that enables you to see and feel how God has blessed you. I pray that you will see and appreciate how God has redeemed your life. I pray that you will experience peace. And then, with a heart of thanks, I pray that you will celebrate God’s goodness with a feast of Thanksgiving!
B.J. Huizenga
I’m so grateful for Thanksgiving because I need to be reminded, even forced at times, to look at my life with a heart of thanks. I have to admit that I have a tendency to want more, expect more. I measure success by what I haven’t accomplished and what I don’t have. Thanksgiving helps me to focus on what is important and to count my blessings. A heart of thanks also strengthens my faith so I can confidently face the future. A heart of thanksgiving helps me to experience peace; a peace that passes understanding.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t thank God for pain, suffering, and death. I thank God that He experienced these things – for you and me! I thank God that He redeems even the most distressing experiences and turns them around for good! God loves, God cares, God provides. I just need to develop a heart of thanks so I can see it!
My prayer for you (and for me), this Thanksgiving, is that you will develop a heart of thanks that enables you to see and feel how God has blessed you. I pray that you will see and appreciate how God has redeemed your life. I pray that you will experience peace. And then, with a heart of thanks, I pray that you will celebrate God’s goodness with a feast of Thanksgiving!
B.J. Huizenga
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Cycles
Dear Friends,
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new?” It was here already, long ago; it was here before out time… (Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10)
Dare I say I am old enough to remember fashions that have come and gone – and come again!? In my first year of teaching, I bought a pair of “Angel’s Flight” pants, tight at the hips, so tight they didn’t bother with pockets, and big bells at the bottom. I remember the fabric as some double knit blend. I thought I was on the cusp of original design; the young teacher – and fashion plate! Later that year in my History class, I displayed a picture of WWI American sailors standing on the prow of a ship. What were they wearing? Big bells! New clothes were not the norm for a young man living on a teacher’s salary so I kept those pant too long. Years later, a middle school student, sitting on the ground as I walked by, flicked the bottom of my flared pant leg and said, “Bonggggg…” I retired the big bells. You know the rest of the story, bell bottoms have come again – and gone. I was shocked when they came back! If God gives me strength, I’ll be shocked again. It’s the nature of things.
We see cycles in God’s Creation like the water cycle and seasons. We see cycles in teaching techniques as well. A teacher recently attended a seminar in which each attendee was given an electronic “slate.” The new technology provided instant communication for the instructor, giving her an immediate read on whether or not each student could give an answer. I was reminded of my mom’s story of individual slates that each student used in her one-room school house, equipped with a piece of chalk and an old rag. There is nothing new under the sun; it was done before.
We have a God of cycles! And I’m not talking Harley Davidson…. God created mankind in a world of perfection. Man blew it. God makes us perfect again through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! There is a sense of peace that comes with the pattern of cycles in life. The fad of jeans that hang almost to the crotch – will soon disappear. And that wayward child will come back as God has promised. Time and patience are needed. What has been will be, and what has been done will be done again.
B.J. Huizenga
PS What prompted this topic, you might ask? I bought a new sport coat and wore it to school last Tuesday. It’s brown corduroy with leather patches at the elbows. I haven’t owned a corduroy jacket for what, 30 years!?
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new?” It was here already, long ago; it was here before out time… (Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10)
Dare I say I am old enough to remember fashions that have come and gone – and come again!? In my first year of teaching, I bought a pair of “Angel’s Flight” pants, tight at the hips, so tight they didn’t bother with pockets, and big bells at the bottom. I remember the fabric as some double knit blend. I thought I was on the cusp of original design; the young teacher – and fashion plate! Later that year in my History class, I displayed a picture of WWI American sailors standing on the prow of a ship. What were they wearing? Big bells! New clothes were not the norm for a young man living on a teacher’s salary so I kept those pant too long. Years later, a middle school student, sitting on the ground as I walked by, flicked the bottom of my flared pant leg and said, “Bonggggg…” I retired the big bells. You know the rest of the story, bell bottoms have come again – and gone. I was shocked when they came back! If God gives me strength, I’ll be shocked again. It’s the nature of things.
We see cycles in God’s Creation like the water cycle and seasons. We see cycles in teaching techniques as well. A teacher recently attended a seminar in which each attendee was given an electronic “slate.” The new technology provided instant communication for the instructor, giving her an immediate read on whether or not each student could give an answer. I was reminded of my mom’s story of individual slates that each student used in her one-room school house, equipped with a piece of chalk and an old rag. There is nothing new under the sun; it was done before.
We have a God of cycles! And I’m not talking Harley Davidson…. God created mankind in a world of perfection. Man blew it. God makes us perfect again through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! There is a sense of peace that comes with the pattern of cycles in life. The fad of jeans that hang almost to the crotch – will soon disappear. And that wayward child will come back as God has promised. Time and patience are needed. What has been will be, and what has been done will be done again.
B.J. Huizenga
PS What prompted this topic, you might ask? I bought a new sport coat and wore it to school last Tuesday. It’s brown corduroy with leather patches at the elbows. I haven’t owned a corduroy jacket for what, 30 years!?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wedding Song
Dear Friends,
I sang a duet with my daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding in Battle Creek, MI a few weekends ago. I’d never sung a praise song at a wedding before and wondered how it would work. It did work - and turned out to be quite the experience! Let me explain.
It is hard to practice together when you are separated by 2,000 miles so Jaci and I prepared individually and practiced together in the car as we made the hour drive from Grand Rapids to Battle Creek. The rehearsal was a bit rocky, but we put on a face of confidence and professionalism, despite our discomfort. How would this go??
We maintained our façade as we sat toward the front, feeling butterflies but excitement as well. The ceremony was beautiful and the pastor’s message was very effectively delivered. He talked of commitment in a marriage that would be stressed by peaks and valleys. The body language of many indicated that they understood good times and bad times. Then the bride and groom expressed their vows including the traditional phrase “For better or for worse….” Our song was to follow the exchanging of rings - but that is when things fell apart. The bride got antsy and started her vow without the pastor’s prompt, “With this ring...” The pastor, startled, replied, “With this ring…,” and both realized the mistake with a laugh. The bride took the ring from the pastor’s hand and promptly dropped it on the wood floor where it rolled, seemingly forever, down the steps and in a circle, while the best man followed and the bride giggled. As the audience politely laughed, Jaci and I looked at each other, then to the pianist, with the unvoiced question, “Are they done?” “Is it time to sing?”
The piano introduction answered the question. We’re on! We sang with surprised smiles. I started in solo, Jaci joined in harmony, then the other way around. We looked at each other as we sang, to stay on beat and in tune. Father, daughter, blending, eye contact, passion, and appropriate words! As we sang, everything fell into place and the words to that praise song made perfect sense, like the pastor’s message and the vows of “for better or for worse….”
Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name
Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be' Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name
I sang a duet with my daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding in Battle Creek, MI a few weekends ago. I’d never sung a praise song at a wedding before and wondered how it would work. It did work - and turned out to be quite the experience! Let me explain.
It is hard to practice together when you are separated by 2,000 miles so Jaci and I prepared individually and practiced together in the car as we made the hour drive from Grand Rapids to Battle Creek. The rehearsal was a bit rocky, but we put on a face of confidence and professionalism, despite our discomfort. How would this go??
We maintained our façade as we sat toward the front, feeling butterflies but excitement as well. The ceremony was beautiful and the pastor’s message was very effectively delivered. He talked of commitment in a marriage that would be stressed by peaks and valleys. The body language of many indicated that they understood good times and bad times. Then the bride and groom expressed their vows including the traditional phrase “For better or for worse….” Our song was to follow the exchanging of rings - but that is when things fell apart. The bride got antsy and started her vow without the pastor’s prompt, “With this ring...” The pastor, startled, replied, “With this ring…,” and both realized the mistake with a laugh. The bride took the ring from the pastor’s hand and promptly dropped it on the wood floor where it rolled, seemingly forever, down the steps and in a circle, while the best man followed and the bride giggled. As the audience politely laughed, Jaci and I looked at each other, then to the pianist, with the unvoiced question, “Are they done?” “Is it time to sing?”
The piano introduction answered the question. We’re on! We sang with surprised smiles. I started in solo, Jaci joined in harmony, then the other way around. We looked at each other as we sang, to stay on beat and in tune. Father, daughter, blending, eye contact, passion, and appropriate words! As we sang, everything fell into place and the words to that praise song made perfect sense, like the pastor’s message and the vows of “for better or for worse….”
Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name
Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be' Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name
Friday, October 23, 2009
Parents Weekend
Dear Friends,
Some of you may have noticed that I was gone last Friday through Monday. Pat and I scheduled a whirlwind visit to Western Michigan. We had three goals: visit Ryan and Emily at Calvin College for “Parents Weekend,” sing with daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding, and visit Pat’s Dad who recently moved into an assisted care facility in Kalamazoo. Missions Accomplished!
Emily is a freshman at Calvin, living in a dorm called Huizenga Hall (no relation, just weird coincidence). We visited a Religion class and learned about Old Testament sacrifice (Yuk!). The highlight was sitting in on her Honors Biology class, watching her phage research, and meeting her fellow students. She’s playing on the Lacrosse team!
Ryan is a junior and Secondary Education Major. We visited his education class with a professor that (get ready!) taught ME when I was at Calvin in the late ‘70’s. Ryan is doing well and will make a great teacher some day, according to his professor. “Like father, like son…” We watched a Capella rehearsal, the premier choral group at Calvin, and heard some fantastic music.
Calvin is impressive and Emily and Ryan seem to thrive there. But the most fun we had was a barbecue with our family and Ryan’s house mates - and a few other students who smelled the food and happened to wander in. It was an energetic and joyful event. I can’t remember laughing so hard! It is a tremendous blessing for Pat and me to know that our children have good friends.
The family attended the wedding of my nephew. Jaci and I sang the familiar praise song “Blessed Be Your Name.” I wondered how this would “play” in a wedding…. but it fit beautifully and I am happy to say we pulled it off! The reception was at Gull Lake Country Club where the lake shimmered in the moonlight with fall colors as a backdrop. Beautiful.
We picked up Pat’s Dad form Park Village Pines and brought him to church on Sunday. He is surrounded by family and friends. His short term memory loss has robbed him of his independence but not his integrity. He is a special man. We cried when we left him.
So many have asked, “Where were you last weekend?” and/or “How did it go?” Well, now you know! Thanks for asking. You are my friends. We are connected by being part of the Contra Costa Christian family. I am home again!
Some of you may have noticed that I was gone last Friday through Monday. Pat and I scheduled a whirlwind visit to Western Michigan. We had three goals: visit Ryan and Emily at Calvin College for “Parents Weekend,” sing with daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding, and visit Pat’s Dad who recently moved into an assisted care facility in Kalamazoo. Missions Accomplished!
Emily is a freshman at Calvin, living in a dorm called Huizenga Hall (no relation, just weird coincidence). We visited a Religion class and learned about Old Testament sacrifice (Yuk!). The highlight was sitting in on her Honors Biology class, watching her phage research, and meeting her fellow students. She’s playing on the Lacrosse team!
Ryan is a junior and Secondary Education Major. We visited his education class with a professor that (get ready!) taught ME when I was at Calvin in the late ‘70’s. Ryan is doing well and will make a great teacher some day, according to his professor. “Like father, like son…” We watched a Capella rehearsal, the premier choral group at Calvin, and heard some fantastic music.
Calvin is impressive and Emily and Ryan seem to thrive there. But the most fun we had was a barbecue with our family and Ryan’s house mates - and a few other students who smelled the food and happened to wander in. It was an energetic and joyful event. I can’t remember laughing so hard! It is a tremendous blessing for Pat and me to know that our children have good friends.
The family attended the wedding of my nephew. Jaci and I sang the familiar praise song “Blessed Be Your Name.” I wondered how this would “play” in a wedding…. but it fit beautifully and I am happy to say we pulled it off! The reception was at Gull Lake Country Club where the lake shimmered in the moonlight with fall colors as a backdrop. Beautiful.
We picked up Pat’s Dad form Park Village Pines and brought him to church on Sunday. He is surrounded by family and friends. His short term memory loss has robbed him of his independence but not his integrity. He is a special man. We cried when we left him.
So many have asked, “Where were you last weekend?” and/or “How did it go?” Well, now you know! Thanks for asking. You are my friends. We are connected by being part of the Contra Costa Christian family. I am home again!
Friday, October 9, 2009
God's Work
Dear Friends,
Many of you know that I come from a large family. Of the four boys, two became pastors, one an engineer, and the other an educator. All of us had to wrestle with a question, “Am I a Christian teacher (pastor, engineer) or a teacher who is Christian?”
Music was a big part of our lives. Two brothers are song writers; all of us are singers. We all had to ask the question, “Am I a Christian singer (song writer, performer, producer, etc.) or am I a singer who is Christian?” What is the difference, you ask? From my perspective, a Christian singer sings Christian songs to largely Christian audiences – like George Beverly Shea or Steven Curtis Chapman. A singer who is Christian probes different genres and performs for a diverse audience. I recently saw a PBS special about the gospel influence in Elvis Presley’s career. Was he a Christian?
I think the brothers all decided that we fell in the “singer who is a Christian” category. Our resumes include choral music, gospel, barbershop, country western, and rock and roll. It’s not always easy, however. My older brother went through a phase when he changed the lyrics on some of his best love songs to Christian themes. A song about a couple faced with divorce became The Lord’s Prayer. I protested. Why? Because, I think his love songs deal with realities faced by everyone, but they always acknowledge that God is bigger than any “cheatin’ heart” or “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”
Not everyone will become a pastor, missionary, or Christian School teacher, but every Christian will do God’s work wherever he is, whatever she does. It is my dream that a CCCS alum will one day write and perform a #1 hit in which the lyrics are consistent with our Christian world view, or write a best seller love story that promotes God’s way, or creates a multi-million corporation that is known for ethical business practices. The dream is already happening. At CCCS, we partner with parents to prepare students to be Builders of God’s Kingdom, wherever they go, whatever they do. Thousands of CCCS graduates are in a variety of professions, across the world, doing their work in a way that honors God. And yes, a few are pastors and Christian school teachers, too!
B.J. Huizenga
Many of you know that I come from a large family. Of the four boys, two became pastors, one an engineer, and the other an educator. All of us had to wrestle with a question, “Am I a Christian teacher (pastor, engineer) or a teacher who is Christian?”
Music was a big part of our lives. Two brothers are song writers; all of us are singers. We all had to ask the question, “Am I a Christian singer (song writer, performer, producer, etc.) or am I a singer who is Christian?” What is the difference, you ask? From my perspective, a Christian singer sings Christian songs to largely Christian audiences – like George Beverly Shea or Steven Curtis Chapman. A singer who is Christian probes different genres and performs for a diverse audience. I recently saw a PBS special about the gospel influence in Elvis Presley’s career. Was he a Christian?
I think the brothers all decided that we fell in the “singer who is a Christian” category. Our resumes include choral music, gospel, barbershop, country western, and rock and roll. It’s not always easy, however. My older brother went through a phase when he changed the lyrics on some of his best love songs to Christian themes. A song about a couple faced with divorce became The Lord’s Prayer. I protested. Why? Because, I think his love songs deal with realities faced by everyone, but they always acknowledge that God is bigger than any “cheatin’ heart” or “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”
Not everyone will become a pastor, missionary, or Christian School teacher, but every Christian will do God’s work wherever he is, whatever she does. It is my dream that a CCCS alum will one day write and perform a #1 hit in which the lyrics are consistent with our Christian world view, or write a best seller love story that promotes God’s way, or creates a multi-million corporation that is known for ethical business practices. The dream is already happening. At CCCS, we partner with parents to prepare students to be Builders of God’s Kingdom, wherever they go, whatever they do. Thousands of CCCS graduates are in a variety of professions, across the world, doing their work in a way that honors God. And yes, a few are pastors and Christian school teachers, too!
B.J. Huizenga
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Welcome Home
Dear Friends,
Two months ago, Bert (my wife’s dad) moved to Park Village Pines. His short –term memory is severely limited and it is not safe for him to live alone in his house anymore. His house. The one he built with his own hands along with his father after World War II for his new bride, Grace; the house where he raised four children, put them through Christian school and college; the house that he shared with Grace for 20 years after retirement until she died from cancer. He remembers his house in detail but not the name of his new home, Park Village Pines. “Is this a hotel? Who’s taking care of the house? Is my car in the garage?” “No, Dad, this is your home now.” Bert, a special man after God’s own heart is trying to make the best of things.
This past week, my mom, Tena moved to Quail Park. She shared in the decision to move since the neurologist told her that her brain is shrinking. This talented woman, this matriarch, this composer and musician, this woman of faith can’t drive anymore because she gets lost. She forgets that she put a pot to boil on the stove. She takes her once-a-day medication three times. She knows this and wants to find a place to call home that will provide safety, dignity and quality of life. But she must leave her house, her piano, her keepsakes, the bed she shared with Bart for almost 50 years, the avocado tree. She is giving up her independence.
Where is our home? Father Bert and Mother Tena would tell you that there is a mansion prepared for us. They see the door. They yearn to hear Jesus say, “Welcome home!”
B.J. Huizenga
Two months ago, Bert (my wife’s dad) moved to Park Village Pines. His short –term memory is severely limited and it is not safe for him to live alone in his house anymore. His house. The one he built with his own hands along with his father after World War II for his new bride, Grace; the house where he raised four children, put them through Christian school and college; the house that he shared with Grace for 20 years after retirement until she died from cancer. He remembers his house in detail but not the name of his new home, Park Village Pines. “Is this a hotel? Who’s taking care of the house? Is my car in the garage?” “No, Dad, this is your home now.” Bert, a special man after God’s own heart is trying to make the best of things.
This past week, my mom, Tena moved to Quail Park. She shared in the decision to move since the neurologist told her that her brain is shrinking. This talented woman, this matriarch, this composer and musician, this woman of faith can’t drive anymore because she gets lost. She forgets that she put a pot to boil on the stove. She takes her once-a-day medication three times. She knows this and wants to find a place to call home that will provide safety, dignity and quality of life. But she must leave her house, her piano, her keepsakes, the bed she shared with Bart for almost 50 years, the avocado tree. She is giving up her independence.
Where is our home? Father Bert and Mother Tena would tell you that there is a mansion prepared for us. They see the door. They yearn to hear Jesus say, “Welcome home!”
B.J. Huizenga
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Spiritual Retreat
Dear Friends,
I attended the High School Spiritual Retreat on September 16-18 at Ponderosa Camp, part of the Mt. Hermon complex in the redwoods near Santa Cruz. It was fantastic! The core of the retreat was four worship seminars. Each seminar had two essential components, worship in song and worship around the Word. John Yoo, on staff at Berkeley Presbyterian, headed up the worship in song as the lead singer and guitarist of an impressive praise band from his church. Our own Mr. Hatch (teacher, art) was on piano and Alan Kim (senior) played drums. I wish that each parent could be a “fly on the wall” to observe and experience this unique and moving time of praise! I know you would be impressed. Darren Hsuing (pronounced shung), recent graduate from Westminster Seminary, spoke on HOPE. His delivery was complex, witty, and provocative.
Each day was tightly orchestrated with events. Staff and student leaders supervised team building games and activities. Meals were served in the cafeteria. Free time was short but sweet, including swimming, paint ball battles, and a ride on the zip line! Evening activities included a game of “capture the flag” and a bonfire. The bonfire was accompanied by student testimonials. Cabins had a chaperone and up to eight students. I enjoyed my cabin of boys.
The Spiritual Retreat not only serves to get our student body on the same page spiritually, it also serves to bond the students together as “family.” At the bonfire, student after student spoke of how CCCHS has provided acceptance, good friends that last a lifetime, and teachers that care…. WE ARE FAMILY! I learned a few other things at the retreat: Our kids can SING! Our teachers are awesome. Girls aren’t the only ones that talk until 1:30 a.m. And finally, stay on the trail! (Or pay the consequences…)
The Spiritual Retreat is a tradition at CCCS that is unique and special. I am honored to be part of it.
B.J. Huizenga
PS Thanks to Tara Gelston who managed and organized the experience. Thanks to the high school staff for two and a half 24 hour days of intense interaction with students. Thanks to Mr. Prouty and Mr. Finley who volunteered as “staff members” for the entire experience. Thanks to the student leadership that organized team building events. Thank God!
I attended the High School Spiritual Retreat on September 16-18 at Ponderosa Camp, part of the Mt. Hermon complex in the redwoods near Santa Cruz. It was fantastic! The core of the retreat was four worship seminars. Each seminar had two essential components, worship in song and worship around the Word. John Yoo, on staff at Berkeley Presbyterian, headed up the worship in song as the lead singer and guitarist of an impressive praise band from his church. Our own Mr. Hatch (teacher, art) was on piano and Alan Kim (senior) played drums. I wish that each parent could be a “fly on the wall” to observe and experience this unique and moving time of praise! I know you would be impressed. Darren Hsuing (pronounced shung), recent graduate from Westminster Seminary, spoke on HOPE. His delivery was complex, witty, and provocative.
Each day was tightly orchestrated with events. Staff and student leaders supervised team building games and activities. Meals were served in the cafeteria. Free time was short but sweet, including swimming, paint ball battles, and a ride on the zip line! Evening activities included a game of “capture the flag” and a bonfire. The bonfire was accompanied by student testimonials. Cabins had a chaperone and up to eight students. I enjoyed my cabin of boys.
The Spiritual Retreat not only serves to get our student body on the same page spiritually, it also serves to bond the students together as “family.” At the bonfire, student after student spoke of how CCCHS has provided acceptance, good friends that last a lifetime, and teachers that care…. WE ARE FAMILY! I learned a few other things at the retreat: Our kids can SING! Our teachers are awesome. Girls aren’t the only ones that talk until 1:30 a.m. And finally, stay on the trail! (Or pay the consequences…)
The Spiritual Retreat is a tradition at CCCS that is unique and special. I am honored to be part of it.
B.J. Huizenga
PS Thanks to Tara Gelston who managed and organized the experience. Thanks to the high school staff for two and a half 24 hour days of intense interaction with students. Thanks to Mr. Prouty and Mr. Finley who volunteered as “staff members” for the entire experience. Thanks to the student leadership that organized team building events. Thank God!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Safety
Dear Friends,
Don’t you love our school setting? There is a “feel” of safety in the neighborhood and school. However, the Jaycee Dugard story and recent reports of a “lurker” around area schools has everyone on “high alert.” How do we respond?
I love to see parents on campus helping in the classroom, supervising at recess, chaperoning on a field trip, driving to a sports event, and volunteering in so many ways. These are indicators of a strong school. In the interest of security, however, it is imperative that even parents follow policy and check in the office when coming on campus. Teachers are encouraged to remind any adult, parent or otherwise to “check in at the office.” This is a place for parents at times, but between the beginning and ending of school, anyone other than students or staff needs to check in and obtain a visitors badge.
This check in system does not apply to the morning drop off time when so many parents are on campus to start the day or during the pick up period at the end of the school day. During those times, there are administrators and teachers on duty to observe all comings and goings. Our extended day care staff also expects that any visitors will report to the day care room until the 6:00 p.m. closure.
We are serious about safety and have procedures for students and parents to promote a safe campus. These are our children! We won’t panic - but we will be vigilant! Thanks for your cooperation and support.
B.J. Huizenga
Don’t you love our school setting? There is a “feel” of safety in the neighborhood and school. However, the Jaycee Dugard story and recent reports of a “lurker” around area schools has everyone on “high alert.” How do we respond?
I love to see parents on campus helping in the classroom, supervising at recess, chaperoning on a field trip, driving to a sports event, and volunteering in so many ways. These are indicators of a strong school. In the interest of security, however, it is imperative that even parents follow policy and check in the office when coming on campus. Teachers are encouraged to remind any adult, parent or otherwise to “check in at the office.” This is a place for parents at times, but between the beginning and ending of school, anyone other than students or staff needs to check in and obtain a visitors badge.
This check in system does not apply to the morning drop off time when so many parents are on campus to start the day or during the pick up period at the end of the school day. During those times, there are administrators and teachers on duty to observe all comings and goings. Our extended day care staff also expects that any visitors will report to the day care room until the 6:00 p.m. closure.
We are serious about safety and have procedures for students and parents to promote a safe campus. These are our children! We won’t panic - but we will be vigilant! Thanks for your cooperation and support.
B.J. Huizenga
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Birds
Dear Friends,
Pat and I are empty nesters. Our son Ryan and daughter Emily left for college and we are without a child in the home for the first time in 26 years. Our last has flown the nest. The silence is deafening….
[moment...]
Okay, now that I’ve had a moment, have you noticed how often birds are used as metaphors for family situations? My kids have flown the coop. Emily is a free bird; or is she caged by college life? I can so vividly remember my wife’s nesting instinct before Emily was born, flittering here and there, preparing for the moment. We watched Emily grow from a duckling to a graceful swan soaring through school work and sports events. Now she’s gone. Will the homing instinct kick in?
But this is no time for brooding. Someone might say that my wife is no spring chicken – but that someone is cuckoo! This old bird still thinks she’s the cat’s meow! We’re together again like two love birds, rising from the gloom of an empty nest like phoenix from the ashes! Watch us fly!
B.J. “Blue Jay” Huizenga
PS Next week I promise to be serious, but for the time being, humor is what keeps me going.
Pat and I are empty nesters. Our son Ryan and daughter Emily left for college and we are without a child in the home for the first time in 26 years. Our last has flown the nest. The silence is deafening….
[moment...]
Okay, now that I’ve had a moment, have you noticed how often birds are used as metaphors for family situations? My kids have flown the coop. Emily is a free bird; or is she caged by college life? I can so vividly remember my wife’s nesting instinct before Emily was born, flittering here and there, preparing for the moment. We watched Emily grow from a duckling to a graceful swan soaring through school work and sports events. Now she’s gone. Will the homing instinct kick in?
But this is no time for brooding. Someone might say that my wife is no spring chicken – but that someone is cuckoo! This old bird still thinks she’s the cat’s meow! We’re together again like two love birds, rising from the gloom of an empty nest like phoenix from the ashes! Watch us fly!
B.J. “Blue Jay” Huizenga
PS Next week I promise to be serious, but for the time being, humor is what keeps me going.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Growing in Grace
Dear Friends,
You can read through our Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) on our website. One of them is a hard to grasp:
CCCS graduates will be able to integrate faith and practice from a Christian world-life view as they…grow in their faith by…understanding what it means to grow in grace.
What does it mean to “grow in grace?” I seem to use the terms forgiveness, mercy, and grace interchangeably – but they are different. Forgiveness is cancelling a debt and releasing the person from guilt. Mercy is withholding judgment that is deserved. Grace is giving abundant blessing that is not deserved! We, Christians, experience grace through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Grace also means God’s sufficiency or fullness. II Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 9:8 reads, “God is able to make all grace abound to you so that, in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Growing in Grace means to identify and experience the grace that God gives every day. We receive grace. It also means to tap into God’s grace in such a way that WE can show grace to those around us. We give grace.
Growing in Grace is our school theme this year. It is our hope that our students will come to understand what this means. We will use the following verses to help guide us along:
I Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
II Peter 1:5-8, 10 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love… For if you do these things, you will never fall…
B.J. Huizenga
PS Does grace have a special meaning for you? I’d love to hear about it!
You can read through our Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) on our website. One of them is a hard to grasp:
CCCS graduates will be able to integrate faith and practice from a Christian world-life view as they…grow in their faith by…understanding what it means to grow in grace.
What does it mean to “grow in grace?” I seem to use the terms forgiveness, mercy, and grace interchangeably – but they are different. Forgiveness is cancelling a debt and releasing the person from guilt. Mercy is withholding judgment that is deserved. Grace is giving abundant blessing that is not deserved! We, Christians, experience grace through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Grace also means God’s sufficiency or fullness. II Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 9:8 reads, “God is able to make all grace abound to you so that, in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Growing in Grace means to identify and experience the grace that God gives every day. We receive grace. It also means to tap into God’s grace in such a way that WE can show grace to those around us. We give grace.
Growing in Grace is our school theme this year. It is our hope that our students will come to understand what this means. We will use the following verses to help guide us along:
I Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
II Peter 1:5-8, 10 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love… For if you do these things, you will never fall…
B.J. Huizenga
PS Does grace have a special meaning for you? I’d love to hear about it!
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