Here is some of the video recorded by the High School Team during the Video Scavenger Hunt at the In Town Retreat. The audio for the first 60 seconds comes from a comerical that aired in 10 years ago. Anyone recognize it? There is also a nice Jacob Vos reference in the video. Free coke to whoever recognizes it.

The Video is larger on Youtube (wordpress has not caught up to widescreen yet). You can see it here.

This year’s freshman class at Westminster Christian Academy is appropriately studying the Westminster Shorter Catechism; not simply memorizing questions and answers, but going deeper into what each question means, where we see it in Scripture and how this applies to our lives as we actively live out the Word of God.

The students’ most recent exam covered Catechism Question 19: What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell? Answer: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

When I grade tests it is always encouraging to see students beginning to understand what we’ve been studying. Every so often though the wording a of student’s answer really catches my attention. While many of the students gave great answers, this time it was Harriet Reymond’s answer that was worded in a such a thoughtful way.

The question was asked, “What is the difference between the experience of believers and unbelievers in this life? At death?” Harriet answered, “All of the pain in this world is the closest we will ever get to hell and all of the happiness in this world is the closest that unbelievers will  ever get to heaven. In death we have God to comfort us, but unbelievers are scared of death.”

This explanation puts all the trials God brings us into proper perspective. Our pains are very real, whether it’s emotional hurt, sadness from loss, physical pain, even the real prospect of death. Yet as miserable as these are in our lives they are certainly the worst believers will ever face because of the gift of faith Christ so graciously gives us. Instead we will spend eternity in the presence of Jesus Christ. Today as we celebrate Thanksgiving I am certainly thankful for the truthfulness of Harriet’s answer.

Zach, Joey and Keely all did a great job in the musical tonight. It was a great night with tons of friends and family coming to watch them perform. A whole gang from Redeemer Iowa who we have bonded with over the last few years on BEAMM trips came down in support as well. Check out some of the pictures below. (more…)

Tonight we will finally get to see the results of hard work by Zach Lutz, Joey Kennedy and Keely McCoy when the curtains open for Seussical The Musical. The event will take place at Spring Hill High School. Laura and I are very excited to attend after seeing the quality of productions they put on last year with Alice and Wonderland. Great job guys!

This coming week we celebrate Thanksgiving. This is an American holiday that apparently does not exist in other countries in any form as Sandra rejected my request for, “How do you say Thanksgiving in German?” “There is no Thanksgiving in Germany.” “Yes, but how do you say it in German?” “It does not exist.” According to Babelfish however it is said, “Danksagung.” So Glückliche Danksagung to you all. Enjoy this time we have each year to thank God for the numerous blessing He has given us that we simply do not deserve.

This will be the theme of The Graze until Dec 25th when we celebrate the birth of of our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.