Archives - April 2024
Dwell in God's Goodness
April 30, 2024
When it comes to the goodness of God, the Bible is packed full, cover to cover, with the good things about who God is and what He has done. For example, God’s love for us is so amazing that it cannot be fully measured (Ephesians 3:18). In addition to that, we can trust Him to give us what is best for us (Luke 11:11–13). Finally, as a result of being adopted into His family (Matthew 12:48–50), we have been given a distinct purpose and a mission (Matthew 28:18–20).
While all these things are incredibly good, the greatest gift is His presence in our lives. After the Israelites built a golden calf while Moses was on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 32), God tells Moses to leave and take the Israelites to the land He had promised to Abraham a few generations prior. In light of the most recent events with the Israelites and the calf, however, God tells Moses, “But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way” (Exodus 33:3, NIV). Moses quickly realized this would not be good. So, he desperately begged God to reconsider. Why? Because he knew that whatever it was that they would face in the promised land, they couldn’t do it without the presence of God.
David, the author of our spiritual theme verse for the year, comes to a similar place in his life in which he realizes there is only one thing his heart longs for: to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Psalm 27:4).
When it comes to God’s presence in our lives, those who know Him join Moses, David, and countless others down through history who have come to realize there is nothing in this life that compares to the presence of God living inside and around us, guiding, leading, and directing us.
A hymn I remember singing as a child reminds me of how important it is to choose Jesus daily:
In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus,
You may have all this world,
Give me Jesus.1
As we wrap up our study of Psalm 27, our goal in the final month of this school year is to help our students see the goodness that comes with God’s presence. We want each student to see that we can dwell in the presence of God by allowing His presence to dwell in us. This process begins when we confess our sin and follow His commands. When we do that, His spirit can live and dwell within us.
We also want our students to see that having God’s presence living in us doesn’t guarantee a life free from challenges. This concept is demonstrated in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. As the character Lucy is in the process of getting acquainted with Aslan, she asks Mr. Beaver if Aslan is safe, to which Mr. Beaver replies:
“Safe? ... who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”2
If we are patient, we will come to see the goodness of God that can come only with His presence in our lives (Psalm 27:14).
My hope and prayer is that we will all experience the goodness of God because of His presence in our lives as we conclude our 2023-2024 study journey together.
Notes:
1. See Thomas L. Baynham, Jr. and C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns, https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-give-me-jesus.
2. C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: Book 2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2005), p.146.
Happy Administrative Professionals Week!
April 24, 2024
If you want to know what is really going on at our center, just ask Ms. Paula, Ms. Wendy, or Ms. Crystal. While I might take the lead alongside our program supervisors, and teachers handle day-to-day classroom happenings, it is usually our amazing front desk staff and campus enrollment manager who are the keepers of the pulse of the entire center.
It's our front office staff who are the front lines of school communication—answering the phones, greeting visitors, welcoming new families, and scheduling appointments. They are the keepers of school records, the schedulers of appointments, and the dispensers of sage advice. It's our front office staff who are always there with a tissue when a child’s feelings are hurt, with a calm voice when someone is upset, and with a sympathetic ear when teachers are stressed.
I think we all know that our front office staff are the ones who keep things running smoothly. Maybe that’s why we are so eager to recognize this amazing team’s hard work. I feel so fortunate to work with this supremely competent team. With our learning center as home to nearly 180 early learning students, we know firsthand the important role this team has played in helping our families and staff each and every day.
So here is a big THANK YOU, a huge SHOUT-OUT to Ms. Paula, Ms. Wendy, and Ms. Crystal for all their hard work, creativity, commitment to our center, and commitment to the families we serve, and for being a joy to work with every day. We are so grateful for you and for the team players that you are, for helping each other, lifting each other up, and supporting one another as we continue to grow this center.
I encourage you all to take a moment to say a warm thank you this week to these amazing ladies! Happy Administrative Professionals Week!
An Unforgettable Experience
April 17, 2024
CCS Community:
I recently had the chance to chaperone the 8th grade I-Term trip to Washington D.C., an unforgettable experience. It was rewarding to watch our teachers and staff plan the trip, our parents engage with students as chaperones, and our students view American history through a biblical lens. I was reminded of Cascade Christian’s core value of wisdom, viewing life from God’s perspective, and of the commitment to immerse students in a biblical worldview in every area of life.
The trip reminded me of our many blessings, including living in a country where our founders established religious freedom nearly 250 years ago. This freedom allows us to continue to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ actively, making it possible for our students to pursue their God-given purpose and potential. Not all societies around the world enjoy these same freedoms and privileges that we do.
I was impressed by our students’ engagement during the trip and by their ability to respectfully interact with each other for five days. This is one of the many benefits of Cascade Christian Schools, where we are committed to treating everyone with love, respect, and dignity, recognizing each individual as uniquely created in the image of God. It was great to see the kids living out the importance of unity within community!
As a board member, I participate in an annual meeting with outgoing seniors. When asked about their favorite memories, the most common answer is I-Term. This is where all the learning throughout the years is put into action, either through serving others or learning more about God’s Kingdom. This is a beautiful reminder of the blessing of being part of the Cascade Christian community.
Finally, I want to specifically thank all of our teachers and staff who facilitated these amazing trips. Our students will surely remember their I-Term experiences for years to come. Your hard work and dedication has created a significant impact.
Tyler McClung
CCS Board Chair
Finding Refuge in God's Presence: Trusting in His Unfailing Security
April 10, 2024
As we navigate the challenges of life, we often seek security in various forms—financial stability, social connections, physical safety. Yet, true security can be found only in God, who is our ultimate refuge and strength. Like a sturdy shelter in the midst of a storm, God offers us a safe haven where we can find peace and protection.
Psalm 27 speaks to the universal human longing for security and protection in the face of life’s uncertainties. Written by King David, this ancient hymn resonates with timeless truths about finding refuge in the intimate presence of God.
In verse 5, which says, “He will hide me in the secret place in His tent” (NASB), secret place is from the Hebrew word çêther, which means “covering, shelter, hiding place.” And the word tent is from the Hebrew word ʼôhel, which means “dwelling, home, habitation” of God—more than merely physical proximity. David is emphasizing the profound intimacy of our relationship with God that transcends the physical.
Throughout the month of April, we will be exploring what it means for us to DWELL IN GOD’S SECURITY. We want our students to look to God and trust in Him for ultimate security. Trusting in God's security means surrendering our fears and anxieties into His capable hands. It means acknowledging our dependence on Him for guidance, provision, and protection. When we place our trust in God, we can rest assured that He is faithful to uphold us, even in the darkest of times.
In a world filled with uncertainty, God remains our steadfast anchor. He is the one constant amid life’s ever-changing circumstances. When we abide in His presence, we experience a profound sense of peace that surpasses all understanding. We are reminded that no matter what challenges we face, God is always with us, leading us forward with unwavering love and grace.
Trusting in God’s security doesn’t mean that we will never encounter difficulties or hardships. Instead, it means that we can face life’s challenges with courage and resilience, knowing that God is fighting for us and working all things together for our good. In Him, we find the strength to persevere, the wisdom to navigate adversity, and the hope to press on toward the future He has planned for us.
As we reflect on Psalm 27:5, let us be reminded of the profound truth that God is our refuge and fortress, our ever-present help in times of trouble. May we take comfort in the assurance that we can trust in His unfailing security, knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Source:
StudyLight.org. (n.d.). Interlinear Bible. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://www.studylight.org/study-desk/interlinear.html?q1=Psalms+27:5.