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School Year 2008-09
November 2008
Election 2008
In many ways, this recent election was confusing. On one hand, the country voted to move in a direction loosely defined as “change” – meaning that more people voted against the status quo (against the norm) against business as usual. On the other hand, Proposition 8 in California protecting the definition of marriage as well as similar initiatives across the country dealing with marriage and abortion were passed in some of the most liberal states. Of course, not to be outdone, the State of Washington passed their version of euthanasia – or their “death with dignity” law. Then on the same ballot as the marriage protection act in California, voters who chose to protect the sanctity of the family refused once again to pass a parental notification law protecting the authority of parents over their children. In other words, our nation appears to be suffering from a severe case of schizophrenia.
Roman scholar Cicero wrote these words about this battle fought each election cycle here in the U.S. – he said, “There remains one match to be fought off—pleasure versus moral worth.” At this point in our history, we find many are trying to have their cake and eat it too! Americans want their freedoms – uninhibited, unrestrained, without government interference or intrusion. Yet Americans want all the benefits of an ordered society as well. But if we are unwilling to allow government to control our passions, we must be self-disciplined enough to control them ourselves. External control is anathema to Americas…internal control used to be the norm, but recent generations have shed that proverbial dead skin like a snake. I am currently reading George Eliot’s English classic Silas Marner and was struck by one passage in this book that seemed to be so relevant to our current condition – as we make poor financial decisions and look to the government to bail us out of poor personal decisions and look to the government to protect our right to eliminate the consequences of our decisions – read the following passage as Godfrey, who made a bad decision, refuses to own that decision and instead looks to “chance” to better his fortune and situation:
He fled to his usual refuge, that of hoping for some unforeseen turn of fortune, some favourable chance which would save him from unpleasant consequences—perhaps even justify his insincerity by manifesting its prudence. And in this point of trusting to some throw of fortune's dice, Godfrey can hardly be called specially old-fashioned. Favourable Chance, I fancy, is the god of all men who follow their own devices instead of obeying a law they believe in. Let even a polished man of these days get into a position he is ashamed to avow, and his mind will be bent on all the possible issues that may deliver him from the calculable results of that position. Let him live outside his income, or shirk the resolute honest work that brings wages, and he will presently find himself dreaming of a possible benefactor, a possible simpleton who may be cajoled into using his interest, a possible state of mind in some possible person not yet forthcoming. Let him neglect the responsibilities of his office, and he will inevitably anchor himself on the chance that the thing left undone may turn out not to be of the supposed importance. Let him betray his friend's confidence, and he will adore that same cunning complexity called Chance, which gives him the hope that his friend will never know. Let him forsake a decent craft that he may pursue the gentilities of a profession to which nature never called him, and his religion will infallibly be the worship of blessed Chance, which he will believe in as the mighty creator of success. The evil principle deprecated in that religion is the orderly sequence by which the seed brings forth a crop after its kind.
When will our nation stop worshipping the god of “chance” and return to our moral anchor of virtue and religion as the protectors of our liberty? When will we realize that self-control is the only replacement for government control – that a people who will not control themselves will be controlled by external forces? The famed Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville wrote about this truth as he examined the difference between the American and the French Revolutions. Grounded in morality, the American Revolution threw off an oppressive and immoral government to replace it with an ordered society built equally on the foundation of the Constitution and the Church. While there was a separation between Church and State, both were required for the success of the new republic. On the other extreme was the French Revolution, throwing off restraint and morality to be replaced with anarchy and immorality. The short-lived “liberty” following the bloody revolution was replaced by Napoleon’s tyranny and the loss of those precious freedoms.
So, America, which will it be? Will we choose to be a nation of the strong who protect the weak and vulnerable or will we follow the example of Europe and eliminate the undesirables still in the womb? Will we tolerate alternative relationships for the sake of unity or will we stand united for marriage as the only bond that will produce stability for the next generation? Will we raise a generation of responsible, self-disciplined adults or will we look to government to control our unrestrained passions and bail us out from the pit of our “rights” and our “freedoms”? We learned that the economy is important to Americans…and so is the family…and so is life. But if they remain in that order, which will be the first to suffer defeat in the next election cycle?
Reflections from a PCA Student – Mackenzie Luce, PCA Freshman
After reflecting on the election, one thing has become very apparent to me. This thing we call “the election” is not about the campaigns, slogans, polls or even the candidates. Instead, the election comes down to individuals like you and me. We are the people who are given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference for our country. With more people, and specifically more young people, voting has clearly shown that all people no matter what age, gender, religion or ethnicity want a voice. One question this history-making election raises is how well informed are these young voters on the issues and candidate’s positions? How can we improve the voters’ knowledge and information? How will we make these things happen? Personally, this election has challenged me not only to make sure I am an informed voter, but to come up with creative and effective avenues to get valuable information out to others so they can choose their candidates based on facts and knowledge of critical issues facing our country. How will you make a difference for the next election?
For many the biblical mandate to pray for our leaders is one that enters our minds around election time and exits soon thereafter. But what about praying for our leaders throughout the year – how can we remember to keep our elected officials in our prayers – and maybe more importantly, who are they and what do we pray for them? To help with this, a few years ago I joined a really outstanding organization dedicated to helping Christians pray for their leaders. It’s called the Presidential Prayer Team and it began following the attack of September 11, 2001. It is nonpartisan and apolitical – the emphasis is simply on praying for our leaders. I’ve received some outstanding resources from this group – from a series of presidential bookmarks to a 30-day prayer guide with ideas and supporting Scripture references for helping me pray for the president and those in authority. The website also gives the following list of benefits you’ll receive for signing up:
A Helpful Prayer Prompt online everyday.
17 Scriptures to pray for our President.
Our exclusive, weekly Prayer Update by email on Thursdays full of practical ways to pray for our nation, our President, our Troops and our national leaders.
A weekly email on Mondays highlighting our Featured Prayer Resource of the week.
Access to our interactive online Prayer Experience with a daily devotional and guided prayers.
The current edition of our exclusive National Leaders Prayer Guide in print and online.
One New Member Welcome Kit containing two PPT window decals, two patriotic photo reminders to pray for our President, and one bookmark with a suggested prayer for our Commander-in-Chief.
An immediate link to a page containing 200 Great Scriptures on Prayer in the Bible.
Receive immediate access to our exclusive page of 50 Free Downloadable Prayers, including Rev. Billy Graham’s Prayer for the Nation.
Receive an immediate link to our handy, patriotic 2007 PPT Prayer Calendar.
Receive an immediate link to the incredible stories of 200 American Inspirations.
Don’t forget that the PCA Biblical Worldview Institute is just around the corner – beginning Thursday, Nov. 20 with an outstanding lineup of speakers and topics you won’t want to miss including Kurt Bruner, Kerby Anderson, Jerry Rassamni, Lee Colan and Star Parker.
Returning to the PCA Family Conference will be Dr. Bob Barnes on Jan. 23-24, 2009. Dr. Barnes was a huge hit with families last year and many wanted to spend more time listening to his biblical approach to marriage and parenting. This is a great event to invite friends to as well. Book your babysitter now; you won’t want to miss the PCA Family Conference this year! To learn more and to register online, visit PCA’s Kingdom Parent Institute page and look for the Family Conference information.
Partnering with Christian Hands in Action (CHIA), PCA is thrilled to offer a family mission trip to Mexico! This trip, lead by PCA dad Tom Sherman featuring PCA Head of School Larry Taylor as the guest speaker, will be from Jan. 16-18, 2009 and will allow parents and their children as young as 8-years-old to participate in this life-changing experience. To learn more about the trip, visit the Kingdom Parent Institute page on the PCA website.
I’ve been hearing quite a bit about this movie and when I saw a trailer recently, I was fascinated by the concept. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a movie based on the novel by John Boyne about a young boy whose father is a Nazi officer and moves to a new home near a concentration camp. Naive, and curious, this little boy finds a boy close to his own age, but living in entirely different circumstances – behind barbed wire and dressed in “pajamas.” The movie is a powerful examination about the nature of man, the power of friendships and the injustice in life. Chuck Colson recently ran a very interesting BreakPoint on the movie which not only examined the movie itself, but the demise in our culture of the art of conversation. So, if you are going to watch this movie, make sure you heed the advice of Colson – have a conversation about the movie with someone afterward!
In Theaters Soon - TWILIGHT
Many parents will most likely let their teenage (hopefully not younger) daughters attend a movie that is sure to make a box office smash. The highly successful book series best known as the Twilight series hits the big screens next week. What is the movie about, should you let your daughter watch it, what kind of conversations should you have regarding this movie – let’s dive in and answer these questions.
Let’s begin with what the movie is about. Taken directly from the official TWILIGHT movie site online, here is a description of the movie:
Twilight is an action-paced, modern-day love story between a teenage girl and a vampire. Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) has always been a little bit different, never caring about fitting in with the trendy girls at her Phoenix high school. When her mother re-marries and sends Bella to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she doesn’t expect much of anything to change. Then she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a boy unlike any she’s ever met. Edward is a vampire, but he doesn’t have fangs and his family is unique in that they choose not to drink human blood. Intelligent and witty, Edward sees straight into Bella’s soul. Soon, they are swept up in a passionate, thrilling and unorthodox romance. To Edward, Bella is what he has waited 90 years for – a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could sent him into an uncontrollable frenzy. But what will Edward and Bella do with a clan of new vampires – James (Cam Gigandet), Laurent (Edi Gathegi), and Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) – come to town and threaten to disrupt their way of life?
ABOUT TWILIGHT: Based on the #1 New York Times Best-Selling series with over 17 million books in print by Stephanie Meyer, TWILIGHT is a cultural phenomenon, with a dedicated fan base that eagerly awaits this movie. There are over 350 fan sites devoted to TWILIGHT, and it has been chosen as the New York times Editor’s Choice, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Amazon’s “Best Book of the Decade…So Far”, Teen People’s “Hot List” Pick, and The American Library Association’s “Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults” and “Top Ten Books for Reluctant Readers,” among others. Critically acclaimed director Catherine Hardwicke brings to life this modern, visual, and visceral Romeo and Juliet story of the ultimate forbidden love affair – between a vampire and mortal.
Vampires, romance, drinking human blood and peering into another person’s soul – may not sound interesting to you, but it does to your teenage daughter. As described above, the Twilight series is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story of forbidden love – sure, there’s a little blood and gore mixed in for good measure, but for the most part the girls are reading and loving the romance and the relational aspects of the book. So, are those “good” or not? The series is written by a Mormon, Stephanie Meyer and the relational components of the story are certainly tame by comparison to modern culture today. There is no sex outside of the marriage relationship in the story, although the relationship bond is very, very strong for young characters. One aspect of concern you’ll want to discuss with your sons and daughters is what is and what isn’t appropriate in a relationship with a person of the opposite sex. That conversation shouldn’t just stop at the physical, but also address the emotional bonds of a relationship.
Of course, many parents will be asking if they should even let their teenage son or daughter attend the movie. To help with that answer, visit our friends at Plugged In Online for a review of the movie, its themes and areas of concern. The movie is rated PG-13, but that should only serve as a general guide – you’re the parent, not the Motion Picture Association of America. Whatever you decide as a parent, I hope that you’ll take every opportunity to engage your children in conversations, taking them back to God’s Word as your guide for what is appropriate, for what true love really looks like, and to help them learn wisdom and discernment. If your daughter is longing for stories of romance and intrigue, there are incredible biblical examples to fill her mind and imagination from Jacob and Rachel to Hosea and Gomer. Make sure that the world’s examples of “love and romance” aren’t the only pictures she has – your marriage and relationships are far more influential than any Hollywood film.
Our next book discussion will be Thursday, Dec. 4 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. held in the new Horner Training Center. Please bring a “brown bag” lunch to eat while we chat about this wonderful book. Just to whet your appetite for Worldproofing Your Kids, this is what World magazine had to say about the book:
"Worldproofing is jam packed with answers for moms who have worries about sending their kids off to school. The first step to address “Mommy dread” is…to help parents put their finger on what’s wrong. This can be done in an overbearing way… or it can be done with a touch of humor to lighten the load. This is Mrs. Arrington’s way. Her real talent is translating Schaefer, Darwin, Woody Allen, and even Carl Sagan for soccer moms."
The book is available online at Amazon.com and will also be available at the Prestonwood Bookstore. To learn more about Lael and her incredible ministry and other books, please visit her website at www.laelarrington.com.
Financial Crisis Critique - Ron Kelley, Prestonwood Foundation
UNCERTAIN TIMES
Wars and rumors of war, gridlock in government, the soaring cost of living, natural disasters, the tinderbox of the Middle East, the re-emergence of a militaristic Russia….. I think you would agree that we live in uncertain times and it has been highlighted with the most recent financial crisis. Some have referred to this as the “economic crisis of a century”, or a “financial tsunami” as we see the collapse or near collapse of some our nation’s most significant financial institutions.
We certainly have been hearing a lot of talk, especially with the upcoming Presidential election, of just whose fault is it? Is it Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac’s fault for lending to people who couldn’t really afford the loan they were approved? Is it the government’s fault for encouraging these loans to increase home ownership which artificially drove home build growth that spurned on inflated home values and set the housing market up for a bubble-burst? How about the so called “greedy” Wall Street firms for bundling these loans in such a way that people were buying investments in something that was over-promised and not clearly understood? Or is it the American consumer themselves for racking up massive personal debt with credit cards while savings rates in the United Stated in 2007 was for the first time actually at a negative two percent (basically, it means as a country, people took more out of their savings accounts than they put in – that’s not good)?
There certainly is a lot of blame to go around that’s for sure but I would like to offer up a biblical root cause for this mess. I would go all the way back to Exodus 20:17 where God tells His people that, “You shall not covet…” Although believers today are not under the Law, we are under obligation to abide by the holy standards represented in the Ten Commandments. We have bought into a lifestyle and lie that says that we need certain “material goods” to make us happy and considered a success according the world’s standards. We’ve allowed materialism to creep into our lifestyles and we no longer know the difference between a want versus a need. God knew this was going to be an issue with His people and that is why His Word is so rich in providing a blueprint in how we should go about our business. Did you know that there are over 2,300 verses in the Bible that deal with money & possessions? I think now more than ever, this is a time to get back to the biblical basics that God has provided us. The biblical fundamentals that we need to understand:
God is the owner of all that we possess (Psalm 24:1).
God is in control of all situations (Psalm 135:6 / Isaiah 45:6-7 / 1 Chronicles 29:11-12) and He will make good of any situation for those who are faithful to Him (Romans 8:28).
God promises to provide for the needs of His people. (Philippians 4:19).
In return, all God asks His people is that they be Faithful Stewards (Psalm 8:6).
Being a Faithful Steward means that no matter how little or how much we possess, that we will be good managers of what God has provided. Man’s downfall in this area is simply that we have not been good managers as we have desired, lusted, coveted over having certain materials goods that has driven us to massive and harmful credit card debt; we live beyond our means; we have no savings and worst of all, we rob from God by not giving what is rightfully His (Malachi 3:8-10). Luke 16:11 states, “If then you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?” I think this is a question worth thinking about!
As believers in Christ, what should we do during this time of financial crisis? I believe the answer is in three steps:
Step 1: Seek God on Your Finances
I think we need to get down on our hands and knees and seek the wisdom and guidance from the Lord in this area. Other than a prayer of “Lord give me, give me, give me” we need to ask Him to give us the heart and knowledge of how we can honor him with our finances. We may have to ask Him to forgive us for falling into the trap of worldly materialism. One thing is true is that we serve a great God of restoration. The Bible is filled with story after story of how God has restored His people when they repent and seek Him. That is exactly what some of you may need to do. I’m not saying that it will not be hard, but I can assure you that God will provide and He will shape and mold you into the person that he wants you to be through this process so He can use you in a powerful way if we seek Him in this area.
With that said, I feel like I need to address the prosperity message that has crept into many churches in America. I totally reject the message that God intends all of His to be materially rich. It is true that God delights in the prosperity of His people (Psalm 35:27), but God’s prosperity is not always material wealth as it can pertain to a good family name, a good helper (spouse), good health, great ministry opportunities, a good career even though there is always some form of toil associated with work (Genesis 3:17-19). This certainly is not a call to poverty because we have many biblical examples such as Abraham and King David who possessed great wealth, but my point is that true prosperity is gauged by how well we know Jesus Christ and by how closely we follow him.
One last comment, during this financial trial in our nation, I have been saddened by the lack of any national government leader making reference for our collective need to look beyond ourselves for a solution and turn to God Almighty. How powerful would it be if one of our Presidential candidates or a leader from the Congress would have sincerely made this need for God the basis of their response to this financial crisis? It would have offended some but in my mind, who cares. I want to be on the side of the one true God who is all-powerful; He’s the creator; He’s the Mighty Righteous King whose presence can shake mountains, and His resources are unlimited. With this said, I would encourage you to pray for our nation and its leaders during this time of important decision making.
Step 2: Get Your Financial House in Order
Every individual and family needs to have a Spending Plan (budget) no matter if you make $10,000 or $1,000,000 a year. Remember God has called us to be a Faithful Steward meaning we need to be good managers of what he has provided. A Spending Plan will allow you to identify problem areas (e.g. eating out) and will serve as the basis for which we can go process cutting our household expenses.
The next thing we need to make sure of is that we eliminate all harmful debt from our financial status. Credit cards, car loans, and store cards are all symptoms of potential sins such as envy, pride, greed, or gluttony. Studies show that when use credit as our means of shopping that we can spend up to 30% more than what we intended to actually spend. It’s just too easy to spend money that you actually don’t have. If you can not pay off your monthly credit balances on a monthly basis, I would strongly encourage you to eliminate the plastic from your life and go to a cash-only system. If you need plastic for travel then set up a debit card that is treated just like a credit card but the money comes directly from your account. If you don’t have the cash money for an item, you simply must go without. Trust me, the sun will set and the sun will rise and I promise you will survive. We’ve got to say “no” to building up harmful debt that is placing us in a state of financial bondage. The by-product of financial bondage is the break up of marriages; it extracts a physical toll; it contributes to mental, physical, and emotional fatigue; and this burden of debt just overtakes our life. In my mind, it’s simply not worth it!
Lastly, I would recommend that we turn back the clock to when we were a nation of savers. Saving is making provision for tomorrow; whereas, debt is presumption upon tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier, the savings rate for our nation in 2007 was at negative two percent. It is imperative that we establish short and long term savings. Short Term Savings should amount to three-to-six month’s worth of living expenses. This may seem like a daunting task, but making your goal in increments is a good way to approach this objective. For example make your first goal $1,000 and then work on building it up to one month, then two…. This short term savings should be invested in an account that is earning interest but is liquid in that you can access the money at any time. The purpose of short terms savings is to prepare for the potential storm of unemployment or purchasing items that are not part of your monthly spending plan such as the replacement of an air conditioning unit at your home. Proverbs 30:24 says, “Four things of little strength, yet they are extremely wise: ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” Long Term Savings is intended to fund long term needs and goals such as retirement income and disability coverage. These funds typically should not be touched unless there is an extreme financial emergency.
Step 3: Invest in God’s Work Here on Earth
I realize during these tough economic times that the common theme is that people just can’t afford to give to God. I would answer that I don’t think you cannot afford to not give to God. God’s Word is very clear on this subject and I would encourage you to read Malachi 3:8-10. Here are the main points of this powerful piece of scripture:
God tells His people that they are robbing from Him.
The people dispute this by asking, “How are we robbing from you?”
God answers by telling the people they are robbing from God in the area of their “tithes and contributions.” He goes on to tell the people that “you are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me.”
Then, God challenges them to bring the full tithe to the storehouse (local church). It’s the only place in the Bible where God says “test me” that if we are obedient in this area of our lives, that “the Lord of hosts’ will “open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
I don’t know about you but for me that is one heck of a promise from our God. The fact is God loves us but He loves His Word even more and does not exaggerate, lie or mislead us so we can take this promise to the bank so to speak. I know our investment statements may not be looking too good these days, but the fact is that the greatest investment that any person can make is investing in the work of the Lord here on earth. Our time here on earth is short especially when compared to an eternity dwelling with God that we are promised as believers. We are citizens of heaven, not earth (Philippians 3:20). Trust me, the payoff from eternal investments is far greater than any earthly payoff that we may realize through our investments.
I would go on to make the argument that God equates how we handle our money with the quality of our spiritual life; because, it’s not a money issue, it’s a heart issue. If we handle our money properly according to the principles of Scripture, our fellowship with Christ will grow stronger. However, if we manage money unfaithfully, our fellowship with Him will suffer. Simply put, following God’s financial principles draws us closer to Christ! The time has come where we need to abandon the world’s way of easy credit, harmful debt and wandering without a plan and get back to God’s way of being a good manager with what he has provided. Times may be uncertain, but God is still great and His promises still ring true for our lives today!
If you require assistance in getting your financial house back in order, the Prestonwood Foundation offers Free, Biblical, and Confidential financial counseling to all members and guests of Prestonwood Baptist Church. Contact Ron Kelly at 972-820-5439 to set up your appointment today.
Mark 8:36 - “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
There are some rare individuals who truly embody a particular concept or phrase – you may think of Billy Graham and evangelism in the same breath, or as the recent movie Amazing Grace depicted the life of William Wilberforce is tied to his work as an abolitionist and cultural reformer. Among those giants of the past and our time stands another whose name is synonymous with servant-leadership: Zig Ziglar. With his incredible sense of humor, impeccable timing and ability to turn a phrase, Zig has become one of the nation’s top motivational speakers reminding millions to put others first because you get what you want by helping others get what they want!
As a tribute to Zig, his life and his ministry, Prestonwood Christian Academy has created the Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award proving an opportunity to honor one recipient each year who embodies Zig’s heart for the Lord and passion to serve others as well as draw attention to and support the PCA Sponsor-A-Child program, which will enable PCA families struggling to afford a Kingdom Education for the next generation.
The dates for the Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award as well as the name of the inaugural recipient has been set. The dinner and program will be held at the Embassy Suites in Frisco on April 14, 2009 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will be honored as the recipient of the Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award for his life work as a man of character in politics, for the national attention his weight loss brought and for remaining a man of integrity who has served in the public interest for decades.
To learn more about how you can sponsor or attend this incredible event, please visit www.zigziglaraward.com.
Dr. Frank Turek, TV host and award-winning co-author of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheistwill be the featured speaker at the Spring Creek campus of Collin County Community College located in Conference Center Room AA135 at 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Dr. Turek is the president of CrossExamined.org and will be addressing topics like:
How can it be true that there is no truth?
Three arguments that God exists
Einstein’s evidence for the greatest miracle
Dawkins and Hitchens exposed
Questions from the audience
There is no cost to attend, but plan on arriving early as space will be limited and you’ll want to be close to the action as you listen to one of our country’s premier apologists examine the evidence and give a defense for faith in Christ.
In an effort to educate others about the Christian responsibility to be an educated and engaged citizen, several students from our Student Leadership Institute C3 Campus Connection Team will be posting blogs and videos on GodTube up to the election on Nov. 4 and even beyond. Students from this group will also be attending the presidential inauguration in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20 for the swearing in ceremony of the forty-fourth President of the United States.
Don’t forget, early voting began Oct. 20 and goes through Oct. 31. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4 with polls open from 7a.m. - 7p.m. Locations and times for Early Voting are available here for Collin County, Dallas County and Denton County.
Each November, PCA hosts some of the nation’s top speakers and thinkers to equip our students, faculty and parents on a variety of critical areas. On Thursday, Nov. 20 from 8:30–11:30 a.m., the following speakers will share:
Kurt Bruner, formerly with Focus on the Family now serving on staff at LakePointe Church, Kurt will be sharing “Thinking Christianly in a Secular Culture.”
Kerby Anderson, co-host of Point of View, Kerby will address “How Christianity has Influenced Culture Across Time.”
Jerry Rassamni, from militant Muslim growing up in Lebanon to sold-out follower of Christ today, Jerry will share his testimony of God’s amazing grace and inform us about “The Impact of Islam in Today’s World.”
Friday, Nov. 21 will feature PCA parent and motivational speaker Dr. Lee Colan along with one of the nation’s top cultural commentators Star Parker. Please visit the PCA website for all the information about the speakers and to register to attend this incredible conference. Visit http://www.prestonwoodchristian.org/bwi.asp for all that information.
Nobody saw the meteoric rise in popularity of the self-published book by author William P. Young titled The Shack. But thanks to a compelling story and the endorsements of some leading Christians from Eugene Peterson (author of The Message translation) and recording artist Michael W. Smith, The Shack remains on top of several best-sellers lists and is the topic of conversation on numerous Christian radio shows and around water coolers across the country. Some Christians leaders, including Pastor Jack Graham at Prestonwood and Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, are warning Christians not to read this book because of the heresy and misrepresentation of the Trinity and various other biblical tenets – you can hear Mark Driscoll discuss this at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK65Jfny70Y.
Since millions are reading The Shack, for those who have read the book or those who will not, I wanted to make sure you were prepared for any conversations you might have with others who have read the book. I’ve listened to a number of individuals discuss the various controversies and read several articles and tried to summarize the areas of concern for you to review and share with others. This critique of The Shack is available in our PCA Parent Resource Center if you click here. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me as well.
A special thank you to several of our PCA parents and guests who were able to attend the first book discussion on Monday, Oct. 13. We met and discussed the very informative book by Jerry Rassamni titled From Jihad to Jesus. Written by a former militant Muslim, Rassamni’s eyes were opened to the spiritual bondage of Islam and he shares his personal testimony from Lebanon to liberty as well as an outstanding apologetic of the Christian faith using the teachings of the Qur’an as well as the Bible! Jerry Rassamni will be addressing our students and staff at our annual Biblical Worldview Institute on Thursday, Nov. 20 and you, as parents, are invited to join us to hear more about the miraculous work of God in his life. To learn more about the BWI event and to register, please visit: http://www.prestonwoodchristian.org/bwi.asp.
Our next book discussion will also feature an author who will be speaking at our BWI event – Lael Arrington, author of the outstanding book Worldproofing Your Kids, will be speaking to our staff on Monday, Nov. 24. The second book discussion will be Thursday, Dec. 4 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. held in the new Horner Leadership Center. Please bring a “brown bag” lunch to eat while we chat about this wonderful book. Just to wet your appetite for Worldproofing Your Kids, this is what World magazine had to say about the book:
"Worldproofing is jam packed with answers for moms who have worries about sending their kids off to school. The first step to address “Mommy dread” is…to help parents put their finger on what’s wrong. This can be done in an overbearing way… or it can be done with a touch of humor to lighten the load. This is Mrs. Arrington’s way. Her real talent is translating Schaefer, Darwin, Woody Allen, and even Carl Sagan for soccer moms."
The book is available online at Amazon.com and will also be available at the Prestonwood Bookstore. To learn more about Lael and her incredible ministry and other books, please visit her website at http://www.laelarrington.com/.
Just when you thought the race would lack interest and vitality from the GOP, in steps Alaska governor Sarah Palin to infuse life and energy back into the party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan. While the Democrats were sure to produce an historical candidate regardless of their choice between the first black presidential candidate and the first woman for the highest office, the Republican front-runner is a war hero whose resume is long but interest level is low. So what do we as Christians think about this election – not only the two candidates and their respective seconds, but also about the various issues from abortion to energy, the war to healthcare?
To answer that question and several more, a number of PCA students will be posting videos on GodTube as part of my SLi Campus Connection C3 Team – Christians Confronting the Culture. Seventeen students along with PCA Board of Trustee member Sara Cowman and me will be heading to the presidential inauguration in January to witness an historical occasion regardless of which party wins in November. In an effort to education, equip and energize Christians to engage the culture for Christ, these students will be posting videos each month helping to inform people all across the nation how to think critically and Christianly about the election and the important task of selecting a candidate for public office.
Look for more information on these videos soon.In the meantime, if you’re looking for a concise summary of the positions for the presidential candidates on a variety of issues, let me suggest the following two outstanding resources. First, WallBuilders has put together a side-by-side comparison of Obama and McCain on a number of issues which can be found here. Also, be sure to check out what the candidates have to say in their own words about taxes, abortion, and several other issues as part of the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency. Our friends at GodTube have put each question and answer separate for each candidate so you can watch as much or as little of this as you like – click on the video to go to GodTube video blog.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4– do you know why? In 1845 Congress had to propose a uniform election date and since the Electoral College met in December, they looked to the month of November, which most states used as their election month since the crops where harvested and it was a good time to have an election, to select a date. They wanted to give enough time for the election results to be tabulated before the start of December, so the looked early in the month. The date couldn’t be a Sunday because of the respect for the Sabbath or even a Monday since it meant that people may have to travel on Sunday; but Tuesday was open without any conflict. So Congress determined that the uniform date for selecting presidential Electors should be the second Tuesday after the first Monday insuring that the date would never fall on Nov. 1 or be later than Nov. 8. This year Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Voter registration is required by each state to be eligible to cast a ballot in the election. Voters must be registered at least thirty days before an election – which means to vote in the upcoming Nov. 4 General Election, you’ll need to have your voter registration card postmarked no later than Oct. 6. If you didn’t pick up a Voter Registration Card at one of the curriculum nights, you can stop by the Upper School or Lower School front desks and pick one up there.
Of course, this election has presented more discussion items than the usual “conservative vs. liberal” or Republican vs. Democrat conversation – with the entry of Sarah Palin as the VP hopeful on the Republican side, there was an outspoken pro-life, pro-gun, pro-family conservative in the race for many to jump on her bandwagon…then came the announcement the other day that her 17-year-old daughter Bristol is pregnant and not married. Kudos to the Palin family for sticking by their principles and saying all the right things about marriage and keeping the baby…but many of the unasked and unanswered questions about how to transfer your faith to the next generation in not only what they believe, but also in how they behave are again brought to the forefront for examination. The Palin family could have avoided the limelight and all the questions…but they chose to put their family…their past…and their faith to the test. Entering the public arena is no easy task in this day and age and each and every elected official and candidate for office deserves our prayers as they seek to serve us, their constituents!
Another interesting development in this election has been the role of the church in the public policy arena – specifically one church – Saddleback Church and “America’s Pastor” Rick Warren. Warren hosted his two friends, Barack Obama and John McCain, at the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency where Warren asked each candidate some pointed questions about their personal lives as well as their policies. If you didn’t get a chance to see it live, check out the GodTube site (click on the Saddleback Forum link or click here.
Following the incredible success of Facing the Giants, Sherwood Baptist Church has produced another incredible film – Fireproof. Starring Kirk Cameron, this movie is about what it takes to save a marriage…and it’s more than just effort and determination – it’s Christ being at the center of a marriage loving your spouse through you!
Set to open on Friday, Sept. 26 in various locations across the nation, Fireproof is one move you won’t want to miss. Not necessarily a blockbuster for younger kids since there are no football scenes in this one, Fireproof is a moving story of one couple’s marriage on the brink of disaster and is perfect for every couple, singles looking toward marriage and those whose marriage is in trouble seeking wisdom and direction. In conjunction with numerous ministry partners, additional resources and materials are available to order at fireproofmymarriage.com as well.
Speaking of movies, how do you make decisions for what movies your family will watch? If the only information you take into consideration is the MPAA rating from the producers themselves, you might be allowing your children to watch more filth than you may think you are.
Take the time to visit a website that gives you more information about the movie – information about the content – so that you can make an informed, wise decision about what you and your children will or will not watch. Focus on the Family has an incredible website called Plugged In Online – make sure you check their site out.
From a secular standpoint, Screenit.com is a great wealth of information – while the site is geared toward a subscription, information is free if you’re willing to wait for it. Check it out.
In our continuing effort to equip you as parents, we will be hosting a quarterly book discussion in the new Leadership Center with the first one being Monday, Oct. 13 from 8:30–10:00 a.m. Click here for more information.
The first book we will be reading and discussing is From Jihad to Jesus: An Ex-Militant’s Journey of Faith by Jerry Rassamni. Jerry will be one of our featured speakers this November at PCA’s Biblical Worldview Institute as well addressing our grades 7–12 students and staff on Thursday morning, Nov. 20 – click here to learn more about BWi and how to register for this event.
Please order the book as soon as possible and read as much as you can before coming to the book discussion – but don’t let not finishing the book (or even having it) keep you away from this critical time of learning more about Islam and one man’s journey from darkness to light!
This is a great opportunity to invite a non-PCA family to an informative discussion as well. Finally, and maybe most importantly, this is a BYOC event – Bring Your Own Coffee, or Coke, or whatever you need – so make sure you stop by your favorite watering hole after car pool or on your way to work and come on in the new Leadership Center next to the Upper School for our first book discussion.
Feature Issue: Exploring Islam: What Do I Need to Know?
Like so many Americans, I remember Sept. 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. The general moniker we now give that event, 9/11, etched into the memory of millions – airplanes flying into buildings and those buildings crashing to the ground minutes later. I’ve watched a president get shot, the Space Shuttle explode; but 9/11 stands alone for its sheer visual impact on me and so many other viewers who stood helplessly by their television sets praying for those experiencing the tragedy firsthand.
As we learned more about those who perpetrated this crime against humanity and our country, I found myself deficient in understanding the religion of Islam and how a person’s faith in Allah (the Islam name for god) could lead them to commit such atrocities. As a teacher of a Bible fellowship class at Prestonwood Baptist Church, I spent several weeks reading what material I could to learn more and then presented a few lessons of the tenets, history, teachings and key individuals and nations that comprise what I understood to be Islam. I learned a little more about the two primary factions of Islam – the Sunni and the Shia – and their continued battle for dominance in the Middle East. I learned more about Islamic law called the Sharia and the holy book of Islam, the Qur’an, and the importance of the teachings and principles of their prophet Muhammad.
As I’ve continued to read more about Islam, I’ve learned that in the Islamic religion there is no relationship between mankind and Allah, their god…there is only obedience and submission. In fact, a Muslim is literally “one who submits.” In the religion of Islam, then, there are only two classifications for people – those who submit and those who don’t – and their religion teaches that everyone must submit to Allah. You can immediately see the differences between Islam and Christianity. Christianity is founded on the concept of the triune God, a relational being that created mankind for relationship and communion with Him. While the Christian concept of God is maybe best described as love, the Islamic concept of Allah is power and authority. And you can see how this plays out in the way that those who follow these teachings live their lives.
In just the past couple of years, thousands of new books, hundreds of lectures, and quite possibly millions of articles have been written all in an attempt to help Americans better understand, better tolerate or better prepare for the inevitable intersection of Christianity and Islam. History is filled with lessons from past intersections – two great world religions colliding primarily in the Middle East, now heading for a collision course in a new arena, right here in the United States. How will our nation, one historically founded on the freedom of religion, one steeped in tolerance for others, one won by a battle for liberty, handle a growing presence from a religion whose intolerance is unfamiliar in our judicial system, classrooms, and public square? As cultural commentator Os Guinness puts it, how will our nation live with “our deepest differences when the differences are absolute?”
Helping me examine this issue is PCA Freshman Creighton Apple – he’s been working on a paper on the issue of Islam for Lion’s Scholar and I’ve asked him to review what I write as well as share his insights regarding resources and materials that will help our families be better equipped in addressing this issue. Many people believe that Christianity and Islam are on an inevitable collision course here in the United States. Yet while the collision may be unavoidable, the result from that collision is yet to be determined – will the damage to our union be catastrophic or minor, will Christianity or Islam prevail, what should Christians be doing in the defense of our faith and our country – these questions are at the heart of our exploration and I hope that as your family explores the questions above, you will find that opportunities abound to make a difference in the lives of those who do not know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and that you’ll engage the culture for the cause of Christ in a manner that brings glory to God.
The intersection of Islam and Christianity is different in the United States than in the Middle East. I recently learned of a public school in Minnesota that appears to be violating every Supreme Court dictate about the separation of church and state by establishing an Islamic school including involuntary prayer scheduled and organized by school officials. It will be interesting to watch our culture of tolerance embraces Islam, a religion of intolerance. In a similar fashion, the first elected Muslim to Congress Keith Ellison (D-MN) used the Koran during his ceremonial swearing-in session. These are but two small examples of this intersection, this collision, of culture and religion between Islam and the United States.
And there will be more intersections as Islam and Christianity collide here in America. The sheer growth in numbers of Islam is staggering. Consider that between 1989 and 1998, the Islamic population increased by well over 100 percent reaching 14 million. Here in the United States during that same duration, the Muslim population grew by 25 percent. As the second largest religion in the world, Islam has somewhere between one and two billion converts with an estimated four to six million Muslims in the U.S. One article from Christianity Today claims that Islam is gaining most of its U.S. converts in prisons and on university campuses. Are our students prepared to address the claims of Islam when they encounter its presence on their college campus?
As parents we need to equip our children to understand the claims of Islam and to be prepared to live with, work with, serve with, and converse with Muslims. Since both Christianity and Islam proselytize, or seek to convert others, it will be an interesting collision course that these two different religions are on in the land of liberty and freedom for all.
Some resources that will help you think about and better understand this intersection of Christianity and Islam are listed below with a brief description. PCA is dedicated to preparing our students and families on this issue and various opportunities to learn more about Islam and the role, responsibilities, and opportunities for Christians to deepen their awareness and preparedness will be coming soon.
Islam and America: Answers to the 31 Most-Asked Questions
by George Braswell Jr.
Dan Panetti’s assessment: Braswell does a great job of touching on most of the important issues that most people would want to know – the difference between the Sunnis and the Shiites, the basic teachings of the Qur’an, the meaning of the controversial term jihad, and the historical and contemporary perspectives of Islam. If you’re looking for a brief overview of these things, this is a good read for you.
About George Braswell Jr. – Dr. George Braswell is one of the greatest authorities on world religions. George grew up in Virginia and has degrees from Wake Forest, Yale, UNC Chapel Hill, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In the 1960s he and his wife, Joan, were the first Southern Baptist missionaries to Iran, and he was the first Christian to teach in an Islamic religious school. Dr. Braswell headed the Center for Christian Understanding of Islam in Richmond, wrote numerous books and articles on the world religions, and is now Senior Professor of World Religions at Campbell University Divinity School.
Fast Facts on the Middle East Conflict
by Randall Price
Creighton Apple’s assessment: A great place to start if you are new to the history of the Middle East Conflict. It is a very easy book to read. I recommend this book for teenagers and adults who are getting started on the history of Islam.
About Randall Price – Ph. D in Middle Eastern Studies (University of Texas), founder and president of World of the Bible Ministries, Inc.
The Truth about Muhammad
by Robert Spencer
Creighton Apple’s assessment: This is a great book to read if you are looking to find out more about the founder of Islam. It historically tracks the life of the prophet Muhammad. This is an easy book to read, but I recommend it only for teenagers and adults who already have some knowledge on the history of Islam.
About Robert Spencer – Director of Jihad Watch and author of more than five books on Islam and terrorism.
The Crisis of Islam
by Bernard Lewis
Creighton Apple’s assessment: If you are familiar with the history of the Middle East Conflict and the origins of Islam, this would be a great book to read. Reading this book feels like sitting in on one of Professor Lewis’ lectures on Islamic jihad. I recommend this book for teenagers and adults looking to further immerse themselves in the history of Islamic terrorism.
About Bernard Lewis – Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University; author of more than twenty books on the history of the Middle East and Islam.
Thanks to Creighton Apple for his assistance with this e-mail and for his hard work to deepen his own awareness and understanding of Islam. This is just the beginning of our examination and as opportunities present themselves, I’m sure that we’ll be addressing the issue of Islam on multiple occasions in various arenas here at PCA.
Epicenter: Why the Current Cultural Rumblings in the Middle East will Change Your Future by Joel C. Rosenburg – New York Times best-selling author and former communications strategist for former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Creighton Apple’s assessment: “For a biblical approach to the future of Islam, Epicenter is a great book to read. Based on the biblical prophesy of the War of Gog and Magog in the book of Ezekiel, it tracks the future events that will ultimately result in the return of Christ. This is a great book to read if you are interested in Biblical end-times prophesy and Islam alike. This book centers on the state of Israel and the armies of the world that will rise up to destroy her. This is a great book for teenagers and adults interested in the future of Islam and biblical prophesy.
Darwinism Challenged in New Movie
You’ve probably received a dozen emails telling you to go see the movie Expelled – a documentary written by and starring Ben Stein. This movie examines the efforts from the mainstream establishment including colleges, the media and the scientific community to silence questions about the legitimacy of Darwinism. Properly understood, the evolutionary theory proposed by Darwin is a direct frontal assault on the belief in God. Efforts to challenge Darwinism or the evolutionary theory are met with a violent reaction – the latest victims of this in the scientific community are those who have promoted the ideas of what is known as Intelligent Design. Professors have lost teaching positions, been pressured to conform and not speak out, and in almost all cases effectively silenced by the powers that be. Ben Stein challenges the establishment by questioning the lack of academic freedom and the refusal in science to follow the evidence wherever it may lead. Stein connects the dots of modern day Darwinism to the Holocaust in Germany as well to Planned Parenthood and the abortion holocaust here in our country. Suitable for mature middle school-aged students and above, Expelled is one movie you won’t want to miss – great discussion topics for your family are raised in this movie! Check local theaters to make sure that Expelled is playing near you.
Many people have been passing around the recent AFA e-mail alert announcing that the hamburger giant McDonald’s is “aggressively supporting” the homosexual agenda. McDonald’s fought back saying that AFA took certain quotes out of context. The truth of the issue at hand is that McDonald’s VP of Communications, Richard Ellis, recently joined the board of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). In addition to McDonald’s, executives from companies such as IBM, Motorola and Wells Fargo are represented on the NGLCC. AFA has not yet called for a formal boycott of McDonald’s, but the two organizations seem at a stand off on this issue and neither appears willing to budge.
In many ways, this recent election was confusing. On one hand, the country voted to move in a direction loosely defined as “change” – meaning that more people voted against the status quo (against the norm) against business as usual. On the other hand, Proposition 8 in California protecting the definition of marriage as well as similar initiatives across the country dealing with marriage and abortion were passed in some of the most liberal states. Of course, not to be outdone, the State of Washington passed their version of euthanasia – or their “death with dignity” law. Then on the same ballot as the marriage protection act in California, voters who chose to protect the sanctity of the family refused once again to pass a parental notification law protecting the authority of parents over their children. In other words, our nation appears to be suffering from a severe case of schizophrenia.
After reflecting on the election, one thing has become very apparent to me. This thing we call “the election” is not about the campaigns, slogans, polls or even the candidates. Instead, the election comes down to individuals like you and me. We are the people who are given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference for our country. With more people, and specifically more young people, voting has clearly shown that all people no matter what age, gender, religion or ethnicity want a voice. One question this history-making election raises is how well informed are these young voters on the issues and candidate’s positions? How can we improve the voters’ knowledge and information? How will we make these things happen? Personally, this election has challenged me not only to make sure I am an informed voter, but to come up with creative and effective avenues to get valuable information out to others so they can choose their candidates based on facts and knowledge of critical issues facing our country. How will you make a difference for the next election?
For many the biblical mandate to pray for our leaders is one that enters our minds around election time and exits soon thereafter. But what about praying for our leaders throughout the year – how can we remember to keep our elected officials in our prayers – and maybe more importantly, who are they and what do we pray for them? To help with this, a few years ago I joined a really outstanding organization dedicated to helping Christians pray for their leaders. It’s called the 
Returning to the PCA Family Conference will be Dr. Bob Barnes on Jan. 23-24, 2009. Dr. Barnes was a huge hit with families last year and many wanted to spend more time listening to his biblical approach to marriage and parenting. This is a great event to invite friends to as well. Book your babysitter now; you won’t want to miss the PCA Family Conference this year! To learn more and to register online, visit PCA’s 
I’ve been hearing quite a bit about this movie and when I saw a trailer recently, I was fascinated by the concept. 
Vampires, romance, drinking human blood and peering into another person’s soul – may not sound interesting to you, but it does to your teenage daughter. As described above, the Twilight series is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story of forbidden love – sure, there’s a little blood and gore mixed in for good measure, but for the most part the girls are reading and loving the romance and the relational aspects of the book. So, are those “good” or not? The series is written by a Mormon, Stephanie Meyer and the relational components of the story are certainly tame by comparison to modern culture today. There is no sex outside of the marriage relationship in the story, although the relationship bond is very, very strong for young characters. One aspect of concern you’ll want to discuss with your sons and daughters is what is and what isn’t appropriate in a relationship with a person of the opposite sex. That conversation shouldn’t just stop at the physical, but also address the emotional bonds of a relationship. 
Darwinism Challenged in New Movie