Rooted: Built-up: Overflowing

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6:7  I do enjoy digging into the school theme.  Finding out what words mean, reading for other translations and even researching some of the original language.  This year’s theme, Rooted: Built-up: Overflowing comes from the verse I opened with. 

It starts with a good firm foundation.  If we have received Christ then we are rooted in him. These roots anchor us to Christ.  We are fixed and embedded in Him.   We are established, fastened, attached, secured, affixed, and moored to Jesus our Saviour and Lord.   This provides that firm foundation, the basis,  substance, and underpinning of our very existence.  This lays the groundwork, establishes the footing, and provides that base for our lives. 

The next part has to do with being built-up. If we are rooted in Christ then we are continually being built-up.  This is dynamic and it speaks to a distinct progression and growth.  The roots that anchor us also provide nourishment for building, developing and moving towards transformation.  This growth in Christ is encouraged and fostered as it is strengthened.  It is supported by our faith, reinforced by our confidence and conviction in the Triune God.  The faith we were taught braces and fortifies us. 

In our lives this should be abundantly clear as we overflow with thankfulness.  I don’t want you to just think of a coffee cup overflowing but rather a teeming river bursting over a large dam causing a flood of gratitude and grace.  We are filled up, brimming with appreciation and awe for all that Christ has done. 

At PCS we have looked at God’s threads the past two years.  We are rooted in Christ, the Word and a solid Christian perspective.  I believe our students have been strengthened in the faith and they are growing in the knowledge and the wonder of the grace of God. From this we want their learning and their lives to spill over, to flood our community (and beyond) with the thankfulness that comes from knowing God, growing in Him, and sharing that with others. 

We pray the staff and students will experience this not only this year but through the rest of their lives. Message says it this way, “You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well-constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.” ~Colossians 2:6-7 

Rooted: Built-up: Overflowing

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6:7  I do enjoy digging into the school theme.  Finding out what words mean, reading for other translations and even researching some of the original language.  This year’s theme, Rooted: Built-up: Overflowing comes from the verse I opened with. 

It starts with a good firm foundation.  If we have received Christ then we are rooted in him. These roots anchor us to Christ.  We are fixed and embedded in Him.   We are established, fastened, attached, secured, affixed, and moored to Jesus our Saviour and Lord.   This provides that firm foundation, the basis,  substance, and underpinning of our very existence.  This lays the groundwork, establishes the footing, and provides that base for our lives. 

The next part has to do with being built-up. If we are rooted in Christ then we are continually being built-up.  This dynamic that speaks to progression and growth.  The roots that anchor us also provide nourishment for building, developing and moving towards transformation.  This growth in Christ is encouraged and fostered as it is strengthened.  It is supported by our faith, reinforced by our confidence and conviction in the Triune God.  The faith we were taught braces and fortifies us. 

In our lives this should be abundantly clear as we overflow with thankfulness.  I don’t want you to just think of a coffee cup overflowing but rather a teeming river bursting over a large dam causing a flood of gratitude and grace.  We are filled up, brimming with appreciation and awe for all that Christ has done. 

At PCS we have looked at God’s threads the past two years.  We are rooted in Christ, the Word and a solid Christian perspective.  I believe our students have been strengthened in the faith and they are growing in the knowledge and the wonder of the grace of God. From this we want their learning and their lives to spill over, to flood our community (and beyond) with the thankfulness that comes from knowing God, growing in Him, and sharing that with others. 

We pray the staff and students will experience this not only this year but through the rest of their lives. Message says it this way, “You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well-constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.” ~Colossians 2:6-7 

Surreal Lunch

This summer I had the privilege of helping out at the Christian Teacher’s Academy in August.  I had hoped to talk to a visitor to the Academy that day about some upcoming Professional Development at the school.  I sat down at a table by myself and waited to see if he was available.  During that time, Justin Versteeg, our Vice-Principal, came to sit down beside me.  The other gentleman, Dan Beerens, ended up beside me as well.  A short time later my former high school math teacher joined us at the table with the grade 12 English teacher who taught me some time ago.  Sitting a few tables away was a teacher that taught grade 4 at the elementary school I used to attend and at another table a group of teachers that I started my teaching career with.  And there it was.  That moment when I realized my Christina schooling trajectory was together in one room.  There were those there that helped guide me and taught me along the way.  Dan Beerens was there when I started my leadership journey through ELDI and there was Mr. Versteeg, someone I currently work for.  I think it fits well with our theme this year.  Having been rooted in Christ with a strong Christian school foundation I was able to continue to be built up in Him.  I was taught by some of these wonderful educational saints and my faith was strengthened through them.  I am at the point now where I am overflowing with thankfulness for the gospel and for the impact that Christian education can have.   I am extremely thankful for how the Lord worked in and still works through these people in Christian education and Christian school leadership.  I am thankful to be at  Providence Christian School this year as we explore what it means to be Rooted: Built-Up: Overflowing.  To God be the glory.  

Discerning the Spirits November 9th, 2015

This month we are looking at the thread Spirit Discerning that God weaves through his creation and created order.  As we mentioned las week, we are called to test the spirits of the age.  We want our students to be challenged to identify and discern the idols of our time and to respond as God would call them to. We were created to worship God and if we are not worshipping Him then we are worshipping something or someone else.  We want our students to understand that God is to be the most important to us, not other “things”.  God is more important than other things, and we understand that.  In discerning the idols of our time we realize that it is not just things.  We come across different values, belief systems and alternate worldviews in our studies.  Christian education should be concerned with pointing out the values that surround various topics and compare and contrast that to a Christian worldview.   It is one of the most difficult tasks but one of the most important as well.  We ask you to continue to pray for our staff at PCS and that God would grant them the wisdom they need to speak about discernment with our children.  ~Mr. Bouwers

A Heritage of Faith Oct. 26, 2015

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works and I will proclaim your great deeds.” Psalm 145:4-6

The room was buzzing with activity, people gathered around tables excited to get together and anticipating what was in store for them.  The grandparents came pouring in and it was as if we were bursting at the seams.  Grandparents’ day is a very exciting and special day at our school.  We got to explore how God’s story and our story intersect.  Also, how the Grandparents’ story and the story of PCS entwine. And we shared examples how the students’ story is wrapped up in all of those stories.  God’s threads run through all of them.  It weaves together to shape a beautiful picture of community.  This multi-generational event demonstrates the truth we read in Psalm 145:4-6.  

Part of this passage was on a t-shirt that our family wore for the family reunion this summer.  It was a blessing to see my aunts, uncles, mom and dad, cousins, grandma and our little family wearing these shirts.  It is part of our heritage of faith.  This heritage is alive and well and we had a chance to celebrate that this weekend.  We met with family and friends to celebrate mom and dad's 45th wedding anniversary.  We are so thankful for their example and testimony in our lives.  

Grandparents, in many cases, are the tangible link to a wonderful, real life example of authentic faith.  We thank God for grandparents and for the role they play in the lives of our students.   Thank you to our grandparents, it was good to see you and we look forward to seeing you again next year.  

~Mr. Bouwers

The Work of His Hands - A wasp nest? October 19, 2015

Sometimes things can seem scary at first but upon closer examination they turn out to be a wonder.  The other night a friend and I went out to one of our spruce trees and located a large bald-faced hornets’ nest.  The nest was found this summer and was a hive of activity.  There were times we would just go over and watch all of the black and white marvels coming and going.  The nest got to be about 14 inches across and probably 16-18 inches long.  There were two nests in close proximity to each other.  We took the smaller one apart and saw the multiple layers of hexagonal combs.  It was amazing to see that each layer was surrounded by protective paper made by the wasps.  The nest had vent holes to keep it from getting excessively hot and one main entrance/exit.  From what I read the nest starts very small and grows through the summer as the colony gets larger and larger.  It was a nest of scary size but the inside was so intricate and awe inspiring.  We did our homework regarding the nest to the point that we were confident the nest was dormant when we arrived.  This encounter with the large wasp nest led to a creation enjoying experience.  It led to more investigation and a deeper understanding of God’s creation.  I would have never had known that the Bald-faced hornets eat deer and horse flies in great numbers and I feel that would be a benefit to our family.   To God be the glory ~ Mr. Bouwers

Thanksgiving and God's Creation Oct. 13, 2015

The stillness of the lake in the morning provided a mirror for the exploding colour.  It seems that the reflection in the water stirs a spirit of reflection in me.  The deep black water, slightly rippled by a gentle breeze, extended an invitation.  I gently launched the canoe into the cold water and rummaged around the storage compartment for the paddles.  Before I could turn to see if there was a willing companion to join me my son came bounding toward the rocky shore asking if he could join me.  The canoe cut through the water as we quietly dipped the paddles below the surface and took in the wonder of God’s creation.  We navigated our way along the dense shoreline noting the evidence of His handiwork.  As we crossed the narrows towards the outcropping of large rocks we could not help but speak out loud about the beauty that surrounded us.  On Thanksgiving weekend I was thankful for this time to encounter the exquisite craftsmanship of the Creator, God’s goodness and blessings, and marvel at the redeeming work of our Lord.  As we steered the vessel back towards the shore my daughter greeted us with a smile and said in an excited voice, “Dad, you and Lucas were being Creation Enjoyers!” And it was at this point that I also gave thanks for the way our school weaves God’s threads into our curriculum.  I became instantly grateful for Providence Christian School, the staff, and the community. ~Mr. Bouwers

 

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” Ps. 65:8

Creation Enjoying October 5th, 2015

Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner and the leaves are starting to turn colours. I just received word that there have been no signs of mice activity in the trailer in the near north. It is at this time of harvest and during the fall when leaves start to change that it seems just a little more enticing to go for a walk or possibly snuggle up by a fire. God’s creation is a veritable treasure trove of his artwork. We were created to have community and fellowship with him while enjoying and caring for his creation. This month we will focus on God’s thread of creation enjoying. We want our students to celebrate and discover God’s beautiful creation using all of the senses. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hand.” ~ Psalm 19. Take time to read all of Psalm 19 sometime this week and then rejoice in the gift of God’s creation, meditate on His word, and sing songs of praise. ~ Mr. Bouwers

God’s Threads: God Worshippers September 28, 2015

We are worshipers. It is woven into the fabric of who we are. God designed us to worship and fellowship with Him. We can fall short of celebrating and worshiping God for who He is, what He has done and is doing and all that He has created. In reality, we are called to stand in awe and wonder of our great God and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our triune God. The phrase, “All of life is worship,” should ring true. Worshipping God is not limited to songs we sing, prayers we pray, and sermons we hear. These are definitely to be included but there is so much more. God created perfect order and shalom. In that perfect order, all glory belongs to God. In doing our work, we are called to do it for the Lord as joyful acts of service. You see, to serve God is to worship. God gave us this world to enjoy, to play in, to explore. We worship God when we enjoy the delicate complexity of an insect’s life cycle and a spiralled sea shell, or the immense awe of a super-moon lunar eclipse, and discoveries throughout His universe. We worship God also when we work, when we stand in awe and when we give Him all the glory. ~ Mr. Bouwers

Woven Together, Sculpted by Him September 21, 2015

In 1464 the statue of David was commissioned. The artist was Agostino and in two years’ time he had but carved a few rough pieces. Ten years later, Rossellino was commissioned to take up the work where someone had left off. The project could not get off of the ground. In 1501 Michelangelo was commissioned to complete the statue. Just over a year later, on September 13, 1502 he started his work and he completed the statue just over two years later. All of these facts you can read for yourself on the internet. What strikes me is how long it took for the completion of the project. A six tonne slab of marble sat for over 35 years until Michelangelo worked steadily at his masterpiece. “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” ~Michelangelo. Do you ever marvel at how God has woven you together? How He has sculpted you? In Ephesians 2:10 it states that we are God’s masterpiece, His handiwork, yes, His workmanship. A masterpiece is a work of outstanding artistry, skill or workmanship and a representation of the artist’s best work. That is what we are, God’s best work through the redeeming work of Jesus. That is who our teachers are. That is who our children are. C.S. Lewis said, “We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, …it is natural for us to wish that God had designed for us a less glorious and less arduous destiny; but then we are wishing not for more love but for less.” God has crafted us as His masterpiece so let us take time to marvel in that truth Today. ~Mr. Bouwers

Borrowed Prayers - September 14, 2015

In reading a few dedication prayers for the upcoming school year, I thought I would put some thoughts together for the start of another amazing year serving in His school. This is a combination of other people's thoughts and words.  Sometimes other people who have gone before can just say it better or capture how you feel in that moment.  The Anglican tradition of having a book of prayers is something I have admired.  I do wish I had a copy of that book to reference at different time in my life.  Just because they are borrowed prayers does not change the meaningfulness in which I include them in my prayer life.  ~Mr. Bouwers

Powerful and almighty God, You are an amazing God! We come before You at the start of another school year in praise and petition for Providence Christian School. You've had a plan for these children since before time began, and You’ve known that our lives would weave together this year. Please give us the gift of Your Spirit so we may discern their needs and how they can be met. Show us what is needed to teach Your little ones, Your masterpieces, and develop the gifts that You've given them. Let our enthusiasm be evident every day, because our joy comes from knowing You. Jesus, You are ever-faithful and unchanging. Fill us with Your strength and perfect peace each morning to carry us throughout each day. Put a genuine smile on our faces and help us to be as patient and loving with Your children as You have been with us. Surround us with supportive, positive influences and help us to speak only truth and light so that others will consistently see You in us. We dedicate this school year to You: Let Your name triumph over all competing forces. We thank You for giving us Your Word so we have a place to turn, a compass to guide us and a foundation to build upon. Thank you for filling us with the passion and enthusiasm that can only come from having the gift of Your Spirit. May Your name be glorified in everything that happens here as Your mercies are made new each morning. We put this year in Your hands because there are no better or more faithful hands to put them in. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen

September 8, 2015 God's Threads: Woven Together

Welcome back to another school year and the exciting next steps in God’s plan for our lives. Isn’t that really what it is all about, God’s plan for our lives? Through each season of our lives God, the Great Artisan, pulls and weaves the threads to create a beautiful tapestry. The thread of your life, for a time, is woven together with mine. We know in His providence that he is the grand designer and master craftsman. The thread of your life pulled through and guided to represent the handiwork of our Creator God. You are a masterpiece of His…. I can take a step back, even now, and see how instrumental God is in this time and in this place. We welcome and enfold new students and families that are now woven into our community. I cherish the tapestry. As the threads entwine we rest in the knowledge that as we respond to God’s call, He will continue to work for the good of those who love Him. I am so very thankful for the intersection of our lives as we work together to serve our amazing God. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10.

May God continue to bless our paths, light our way and prompt us to follow Him. I pray He holds you in the palm of His hands and that we would continue to be broken and remade in the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. God's Threads: Woven Together. ~Mr. Bouwers

Lessons from the Inbox June 8, 2015

In my inbox each morning, I receive the Bible verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.  It is a great way to start the day and to view different pieces of scripture.  Today’s verse of the day comes from Habakkuk 3 and it is verse 19:  “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,  he enables me to tread on the heights…”  This verse comes at the end of Habakkuk’s prayer, the end of this book of the Bible.  It reminds me of the time I used to spend teaching a unit from Habakkuk called “Every Bit of Who We Are.”  In fact, our grade 8 students at Providence also complete this same unit.  In this book of the Bible, Habakkuk is fed up with the injustice around him and pleads for the Lord to do something about it.  God assures him that He will do something about it and that He will use the Babylonians to teach the lesson.  That does not sit well with Habakkuk and he listens to the indictment the Lord brings upon his people.  In closing Habakkuk acknowledges that the Lord is Lord of all things, knowing that in full time God will be the one to make things right.  He says in 3:17-18, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”  As we too look around at the injustice in our world and we struggle to understand it, I can echo what I hear from Habakkuk. Let us keep our eyes focused on God’s sovereignty as we see evidence worldwide of injustice.  Let us rejoice and be joyful in our Lord and Saviour.

~ Mr. Bouwers

The Rain June 1, 2015

Oh what a blessing it was to see the rain over the weekend.  There is something special about the spring rains, albeit a cold rain yesterday.  This rain brought much-needed nourishment to parched soil, life to burgeoning seeds, relief to already blooming plants and cleansing from the dust and pollen that has coated everything outside.  The word that comes to mind is refreshment and with that refreshment a renewed life.  We will be switching seasons this month from spring to summer and in these seasons, we pray for the crops, the seeds, and the refreshing rains to help sustain life. In our classrooms, hallways and on the playgrounds we celebrate the moments in the students’ lives of nourishment, life, flourishing, and cleansing.  Like the plants, we are all in need of the Living Water.  I pray that this month may lead to a downpour of living water for our students and that they may experience each of these things throughout the rest of this school year and beyond. ~Mr. Bouwers

Staff Devotions May 25, 2015

I was reading through Colossians again this morning and the first part of Colossians talks about Jesus as our Lord.  In chapter one, Paul explains in some length that he is praying for those Christians to both encourage and instruct them. At the beginning of each week, as a staff, we gather for staff devotions.  We openly share scripture, thoughts, and concerns together and we place each week in the loving hands of our Heavenly Father.  In our collective prayer we include specific families and students to lay their name before the throne of almighty God.  We pray for each other as a community of faith should.  As we read in Colossians 1, it is my hope that I would continually pray to ask God to fill each of our students with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And pray this in order that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and aim to please Him in every way because He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of light.  Let us continue to pray for each other, the children in our care, and the spread of the gospel everywhere.  ~ Mr. Bouwers

Lessons from the Dandelion May 19, 2015

I read a devotion recently that talked about the good qualities of the dandelion.  I read it right around Mother’s Day and it talked about how many vases would be filled with bouquets of these gifts of yellow and green.  Young children, not as discriminate in regards to flowers, take handfuls and handfuls to their teachers and their moms.  The article went on to site a child asking her mom why their lawn did not have the pretty yellow flowers like the neighbour’s lawn. I can see that these are cute and important reasons to hold the dandelion in high esteem but there are other reasons to like the dandelion.  It is, apparently, very healthy for you when it is used properly with almost every part being beneficial for something (or so says the University of Maryland http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/dandelion). Despite all of this positive press, I still do not find myself swooning over the dandelion.  That being said I am amazed by them and I think there is even a distinct lesson we can learn from this plant, or pesky weed as some call it.  Dandelions are examples for us in resilience.  If you spend a Saturday plucking these pesky plants from your lawn you can almost guarantee that some will pop up on Sunday.  Dandelions persevere.  Secondly, dandelions spread.  As followers of Christ, we can take their examples of sowing seeds near and far to transform the landscape.  We too are called in all that we do to spread the good news to transform the landscape of our world, of our communities and of our neighbourhoods.  May you persevere this week in sowing the seeds of the Kingdom!  ~ Mr. Bouwers

Springfest! May 11, 2015

 It is so exciting!  I am looking forward to this community event in the heart of Dundas.  Each year, I am amazed at how our school community comes together to host the town of Dundas. Having been there for the past number of years it is good to see some familiar faces and faces of people that I do not know well as they come in from the city of Dundas.  That is the part that is so inspiring to me.  I absolutely love the fact that we are involved with our local town.  It motivates me to encourage our teachers, our classes, and our students to engage the towns surrounding us.  It is one thing to host an event but it would be another thing entirely to incorporate our community engagement into the learning that happens through Providence Christian School.  So come on out this weekend to Springfest and be inspired! ~Mr. Bouwers

Spring Membership Meeting May 4th, 2015

Come on out to the membership meeting tonight.  We will be taking a look at some of the amazing things that are happening at the school and we will be looking forward to next year as well.   We are very thankful for God’s continued faithfulness to the school as evidenced by the community interaction and support.  Membership meetings are a way to share the story of our school.  I am looking forward to the section led by the Community Relations Committee (Promotion Committee).  I had a sneak peek of what they will be presenting and I am excited about how they will share the story.  I will also get the opportunity to share our story with you as well.  The Board of Directors will also be sharing the vision for Christian education at Providence Christian School.  It is an exciting time to be a member of Providence Christian School.  We look forward to sharing the story tonight.  See you there!  ~ Mr. Bouwers

Busy Calendar April 27, 2015

I heard a phrase the other day, the calendar is getting busy.  It may have given me pause to slowly turn my head and peer at our calendar on the wall.  As long as I looked at it, it didn’t move.  It stayed in one spot. Not a shimmy or even a little shake.  It was far from busy.  All joking aside, I know the sentiment behind the statement.  One thing I did notice about the calendar was that it was full.  The calendars may not be busy but we are a busy people. I am sure we are not the only family that is busy with numerous commitments.  I acknowledge that the school calendar has gotten busier this year with a few extra evening or weekend activities.   I take it as a sign of an active learning community and an engaged membership.  As busy as it can get at times, I am thankful for this blessed busyness. We continue with these activities this Wednesday as we have a Spring Arts Festival.  This will be an opportunity for our band, choir and specialty music offerings to have an authentic audience for all of their hard work.  Come on out to this celebration on Wednesday.  Not only will you be treated to the musical offerings of our students but much of their work will be displayed in a “gallery” along the outer walls of the gymnasium.


     The frenetic pace is sometimes interrupted with jarring moments that also ground you.   There were two such events in my life recently.  The devastation in Nepal from the earthquake that took thousands of lives and has left even more than that temporarily displaced.  Our hearts go out to those affected by this tragedy and they remain in our prayers.  I also received word that a former student of mine was in a car crash that left him in critical condition.   It, once again, brought me to that place of prayer and petition.  In the busyness of community we both celebrate and come together as a body of Christ to lift others up in prayer.  May this week be filled with moments that bring us to our knees in prayer bringing us closer as a community and closer to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
~ Mr. Bouwers

Christian Education Week April 20, 2015

We are excited once again to celebrate Christian Education Week at Providence Christian School.  When Christian education was established here in Ontario, back in 1943, the founding members were dedicated to ensuring that what their children were learning was consistent with their beliefs at home and at church.  We still look to partner with Christian families in the education of their children.  We consider it an absolute privilege to share God’s story with so many.  At Providence Christian School we confess that the Lord is Lord of all things and that makes a difference for education.  Christian education is something to be celebrated, it is an intergenerational endeavour.   I want the best for my children growing up.  I whole heartedly believe that Christian education at PCS gives them a firm foundation to develop a personal relationship with God and to step out into God’s big world and live for Him.  I want my children to  think deep into their faith and to be provided opportunities to live out their faith through their learning.  I think about our theme this year, “Shine your light” and I think how fitting it is to come together as a lighthouse and shine our lights out into the community.  How fitting it is that we can bring hope and a measure of healing to a broken world.  Thank you for joining us on the journey. 

~ Mr. Bouwers