Eagle for March 3rd

Eagle News – Volume 4, Issue 25

FROM THE WEST WING

   “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4. What a beautiful portion of scripture. I have once again been impressed with the grandeur of this place that I have called home for most of my life. The beauty of Mt. Rainer is breathtaking. The ruggedness of the Olympics to the west and the Cascades to the east is inspiring. The glory of each sunrise and sunset points to the faithfulness of the Creator. How could anyone live in such a place and deny the existence of God? The heavens declare, the skies proclaim, their voice goes out into all the earth! Paul declares in Romans 1:20 ^“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” 

    Yet, we all know those who will deny the very existence of God. In fact, we live in a society that at best pays lip service to the reality of God. While I cannot understand this, we shouldn’t be surprised. Paul continues in Romans 1:21 by stating “Although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Psalm 14:1 boldly declares “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

   It is because of this that I am thankful for Fairview Christian School where we can boldly declare, with the heavens, the Glory of God. We can lead our students to the reality of God. We can and do prepare them to live in a society that will often deny God and His Glory.

FROM THE WEST WING

Why send kids to Fairview Christian School? Why send kids to any Christian school?  Why do we, as Fairview Christian School, exist? What’s the big deal? Ever ask yourself those questions? I have. I guess because it’s my job, but are there some basic underlying principles that we should all consider? Permit me to share four common objections to Christian education with some questions and statements to contemplate.

• “We want our children to be in the ‘real’ world.”  What is the “real” world for Christians?  Is it a world informed by secularism or one dominated by the love, reconciliation, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ?
• “We don’t want to abandon the public schools.  We want our children to be a witness there.”  Should the youngest members of God’s kingdom be on the front lines, or is it wiser to prepare them much like we would care for young plants in the garden?
• “We would like to have our children in a Christian school, but we can’t afford it.”  What better stewardship of personal and church finances than to use them for the education of children?  “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)
• “The Christian school is hypocritical.”  Christian schools do not claim to be perfect or without their share of sinners any more than churches do.  The difference with the Christian school is the way in which it deals with the sin, how it models restitution and accountability, and how it encourages repentance and restoration.

   Why send kids to Fairview Christian School? My answer is I truly believe that at Fairview Christian School students will receive the best Christ-centered education available. They will be taught to evaluate life from a Biblical Worldview. They will be given the opportunity to follow Christ in all they do. They will be loved and nurtured to become the best that they can be in Christ. I could go on, but I would like to just change my question. Why would you not send kids to Fairview Christian School?

Eagle News for February 24

Eagle News – Volume 4, Issue 24

Box Tops For Education

If you have some Box Tops laying around your kitchen, now is the time to bring them in.  The friendly competition ends this week.  Please bring them in by tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 23rd).  Thanks!

100th Day Update

The highlight of our 100th day of  school celebration was the tremendous response to “100 coins for Haiti”. After all the  sorting, counting, and adding was done our grand total in coins was $670.35! The middle school students added the proceeds of their raffle and candygram sale to bring the total to $1267.45. The middle school is continuing to raise money for Haiti throughout the remainder of this year. Big THANKS to all who participated. Great job, Fairview!

Eagle News for February 17

Eagle News – Volume 4, Issue 23

FROM THE WEST WING

Ever wonder from where The Valentine’s Day celebration came? Or why it is associated with love and romance? Ever heard of Saint Valentine? As I was thinking about what to share this week and since we are approaching Valentine’s Day, I thought I would do a little research. I was rather surprised at what I found.

   It seems that there is some confusion as to who Saint Valentine was. In fact, many sources report that there were probably many priests named Valentine. Most sources agree that whether Saint Valentine was one individual or many, he (or they) was martyred under Roman rule. So, why is Valentine’s Day associated with love?

   Well, there’s confusion on that front too. One source said that Saint Valentine married young couples against the emperor’s wishes. Another reported that when Valentine was in prison,  he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter; and just before he was beheaded he sent her a letter signed “from your Valentine.” Another suggests that the connection comes because Valentine was buried on February 14 which coincides with the pagan Feast of Lupercalia, a festival of love.

   So, I came to the conclusion that the whole thing is just a confusing mess that has survived to this day where we give and receive valentine cards, candy and flowers. Now, I’m not knocking all the sentimentalism surrounding Valentine’s Day – I actually rather enjoy it. But I began thinking that perhaps as Christians we should be working on how we love at all times. Read 1 Corinthians 13 again and see how you measure up. I know that I fall short so often.

   Then I was again reminded of the words of Jesus: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Seems like a rather simple plan of salvation. And John tells us in 1 John 4:12 “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”  So as we think about Valentine’s Day, let’s be reminded that the world will be pointed to the Father through our love.

Eagle News for February 10

Eagle News – Volume 4 Issue 22

100th Day of School

Our 100th day of school is fast approaching. Part of our celebration this year is collecting coins for Haiti. We are encouraging each student to bring 100 coins next week. The teachers will us the coins for learning activities. On Friday, February 12 we will total the value of all the coins. The dollars raised will be sent to World Concern to help those in need in Haiti.