Reading a good book... April 30, 2012

Reading a Good Book

The other day I was in the grade 7 class and the students were to be working on sketching.  The students were a bit restless so I picked up the book they had been reading and started to read aloud to them.  Most everyone likes a story told to them and this was no exception.  For the most parts, the students were attentive while they worked on their art work.  That book just happened to be the one I read after my first year of university.  I have not always enjoyed reading as a recreational activity but it was after that first year that I discovered joy in reading a good book.  Since then I have come to read a variety of books and for various reasons: educational, professional, enjoyment, interests, faith development and personal growth.  It is one aspect in my life that enables me to continue to grow and learn. 

This is something we want for our students as well.    We want them to continue to grow and to learn and to enjoy a good book. We want our students to be lifelong learners.   It is a valuable use of the time we’ve been given.  Reading a book allows you to go deep into thought and expands your attention.  There are times when I wish that I had spent more time in my earlier years reading and discovering the impact of a good book. 

I encourage you to keep working with your children to engage them in reading.  Some may take to it right away, others may with some reluctance while others may take until university but do not give up in your attempts.  Meet them where they are with their interests and reading level and make some time in this busy, fast paced life to read. 

Reading is also a discipline that we use frequently in our walk with the Lord.  We are able to get into God’s word and explore His will for our lives and hear how we are a part of God’s story.  Reading is also important in our devotional lives.  It enables us to delve into other devotional books or books written to help us grow in our faith and walk with the Lord.

If at all possible, take some time to read and encourage reading this week.  We praise God for His gift of language and the Word.  God’s blessings ~Mr. Bouwers

Christian Education Week April 23, 2012

It is Christian Education Week at Calvin Christian School in Dundas.  It is a week that we set aside to celebrate Christian education and God’s faithfulness and grace we experience on this journey.  It is great to celebrate but it also brings to mind a number of questions:

1.       What is Christian education?  Christian education is a response to our calling to bring all things under the Lordship of Christ. 

2.      What is it about the goals of this school that can be seen as a faithful response to what God speaks to us in His word? God’s word says that our lives are to be marked by loving God and loving others.  At school we need to walk along beside our students to help them demonstrate their love for God and others in an appropriate way.  

3.      What is the purpose of Christian education?  We aim to develop the knowledge of God and His creation.  Students respond to the task of creative and redemptive work as an act of worshipful response using their knowledge and applying wisdom.  This can only be attained by loving God, having community and fellowship with him that result in whole-hearted worship.   

We are so thankful for Christian education across Ontario, throughout Canada and on a global scale.  Join us in a joyous response to all that God has done for His schools.  Please, let me know if you have any more questions about Christian education and we may have the opportunity to explore them together or through these writings.  Peace of Christ to you. ~Mr. Bouwers

Membership has its privileges...

    “Membership has its privileges” was an advertising slogan made famous by American Express. The commercials would feature some extravagant items or experiences, and it was implied that all you had to do was enjoy the privileges associated from being an American Express cardholder. Something they didn’t outline in the advertisement was the responsibilities that come from being a member. Yes, there are privileges associated with membership as well as responsibilities. Those responsibilities include learning how to live, learn, love, and exist as a community. Being part of any community involves some active participation. We look forward to your participation tonight at the Dundas Calvin Christian School Spring Membership Meeting. It is another opportunity to get together and confirm our core values as a community while we express our commitment by being involved at various levels and carrying out all this community building with a sense of love for God and our neighbour. I look forward to seeing you tonight at the membership meeting.

~ Mr. Bouwers

Saved for what purpose? Tuesday April 10th, 2012

This past weekend we had the blessing of celebrating Easter with our family.  Easter is a special time that we distinctly remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  It was through His death on the cross that we can be reconciled with God.  It was his resurrection that assures us of His victory over death.  Through this season we can reflect on Jesus as our Saviour.  He is risen! He is risen indeed!  This is something to be celebrated and acknowledged as it begs the question, “Saved for what purpose?”  We can recognize that salvation is not only about the removal of our sin.  God allows us to partner with Him to the praise of His glory.  We have been saved by His grace through faith and the overflow of salvation should be evident in our lives.  Christ is not only our Saviour but also our Lord.  The way we live our lives becomes a faithful response to our Creator and brings everything under the Lordship of Christ.  At DCCS we desire our students to be prepared for a life of Christian service as part of that faithful response, as an overflow of salvation.  We pray that at DCCS the works of our hands, the meditation of our hearts, and the learning that occurs wil  be a manifestation of our faith and help serve our purpose of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices before our God.  Thank you for joining us in celebrating Christ as our Saviour and Lord.  ~Mr. Bouwers

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Easter Monday April 9th, 2012

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

This reminds me of a story Dr. Jim Payton told one of our history classes at Redeemer.  He spoke of Russia in the 1920s when the Communist government would send speakers to the towns to dissuade them from the Christian faith.  One of the large crowds of people sitting in a public auditorium listened for three hours to one such speech from a Russian official.  It already seemed ironic that he was using a language that was founded by Cyril and Methodius, missionaries to the Slavic people, and it was littered with Christian imagery.  Nonetheless, at the conclusion of his rant he was satisfied he had done his best and that most had been convinced. It was at that time a Russian Orthodox priest stood up at the back of the hall: "Christos voskres!" He said loudly (Christ is risen!) Instantly the entire crowd responded, "Voistinu voskres!” (He is risen indeed!)  He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Loving and Kind April 2, 2012

Loving and Kind

My children are often inspiring to watch as theyinteract with each other, living out a good sense of family. There are alsoother times when discord is the dish of the day. At different times they take on interesting roles. One decides to be the boss, the other tries to manipulate the others by withdrawing from play and they are all capable of the whine factor. I used to sing a song to them that we made up. It was called the loving and kind song. It was a simple song, it talked about being loving and kind over and over again. It worked to a certain degree, either they would think it funny that I was singing, they just wanted to get back to playing, or it distracted them enough to stop bickering. It caused enough of a pause for them to recalibrate.

Our family at school can get into similar situations.  Our students do go through difficult emotional times and we have to help them develop skills in how to deal with them. I don’t think it would befavourable for me to walk through the halls singing my greatest hit,“Loving and Kind”, it may be humorous but I do think it would wear itself thin pretty quickly. Of course, that is the answer though isn’tit? Be loving and kind. Love wins out every time. Darkness cannot abide the light. We are called to be a loving people. Another song aptly names it,“They will know we are Christians by our love.” Jesus’summary of the law also boils down to love, love God and love others.

I challenge you to discuss with your children how they can show to others in their class or the school that we are a loving people. Ask your child if there are students without friends or being left out. The love that Christ calls us to is one that reaches out to others. Let’s start with friendliness and move our children on to compassion that exhibits a concern for others with empathy. We want to impact our students in what they think (Head), personally owning it (Heart), and doing something with it(Hands). Let’s catch our students exhibiting Christ’s love to others. Have a great week!
                                                ~ Mr. Bouwers