Friday, November 2, 2007

"How do I improve my child's reading grade?"

I often hear from parents the question, " How do we improve my child’s reading grade?" While the response is primarily how to improve the child’s reading itself, it still works for both. Below are some tips to do just that. Let’s see if some of them will help us. Even if your child is getting a great reading grade, these suggestions are some excellent ideas an will help improve your reading time together. The best point of all is at the bottom of these 2 pages. Don’t forget to read it. ****
You have a big influence on your child when you spend time reading together. Experts in child literacy are unanimous in their belief that parents should
read with their children. The power of the parent-child bond has a positive effect on a child's attitude toward reading and his ability to read. The suggestions below will help you learn how to make reading with your child both a pleasure and a learning experience.

1. Choose the right book using the "Five-Finger Rule." Have your child open the book to any page in the middle of the book and read that page. Each time she comes to a word she does not know she should hold up one finger. If she gets to five fingers before she finishes reading the page, the book could be too hard. If she doesn’t hold up any fingers, the book is probably easy for your child and can be used to build reading fluency. If she holds up two or three fingers, the book is likely to be a good level for her reading to grow.

2. Use "sound" strategies to tackle a new word. Ask your child to sound out an unknown word. Look at the letters in a difficult word and have your child pronounce each sound, or "phoneme." Then see if he can blend the sounds together to pronounce the word. Help him memorize irregular words. Explain that words like "where," "hour" or "sign" are hard to sound out since they don't follow normal sound patterns. Point these words out when you're reading to help your child learn to recognize them on his own. Use suffixes, prefixes, and root words. If your child knows the word "day," guide him to define new words like "yesterday" or "daily." Similarly, if he knows what "pre" means, it's easy to learn new words like "prepare" or "preschool."

3. Use the story to help your child learn.
Ask your child what word or idea would make sense in the plot of the story when he gets stuck on an unfamiliar word. Encourage your child to look at illustrations, pictures, titles or graphs to figure out the meaning of new words.

4. Give support and encouragement.
Challenge your child to figure out new words, but always supply the word before he becomes frustrated. After your child has read a story, reread it aloud yourself, so that he can enjoy it without interruption.

5. Be a good role model. Let your child see you reading, and share your excitement when you enjoy a great book of your own.

6. Make reading a priority. Whether it's 10 minutes every night before bed or an hour every Sunday morning, it helps to set aside a specific time for reading. This kind of special "together time" can go a long way in getting your child interested in books.

7. Create the right atmosphere. Find a quiet comfortable place to listen to your children read. While you don't need to build a special reading nook, it helps to ensure that even in a busy home, there's a quiet place for reading.

8. Make reading fun. Kids may not get excited at the idea of quiet time spent curled up on the couch. Why not make it fun by turning reading sessions into impromptu theater performances? Play around with funny voices to impersonate animals or unusual characters in stories. You'll get to release some tension and your child will learn to think of reading as fun rather than work.

9. Keep reading aloud to your child. Don't stop reading aloud to your child once she learns to read by him/herself. When you take a turn at reading, you let your child enjoy books that are beyond her independent reading level and build her vocabulary by exposing her to new words. Reading aloud is also a chance for you to model reading smoothly and with expression.

10. Introduce new books. Each year there is one book that seems to steal the hearts and minds of all children. While it may seem it's the only book your child wants to read, it's important to remember that there are millions of books that will suit your child's interests and capture his imagination and still meet your standards of what is appropriate reading. Use these resources to help your child find great books.

**** Remember, the best way for us to improve your child’s reading grade and his/her reading overall, is simply to read more!! I know it sounds like over-simplification and dismissiveness, but it’s not. It is the basic truth to all learning and improvement in education…Repetition is the Key to Learning. The more I do it, the better I get at it. Reading More = Reading Better.
May God continue to bless you and your family.

Joe Tarr
Principal

Thursday, October 25, 2007

The Faint

Isaiah 40:29,
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no mighthe increaseth strength."

The word power is "kowach" and according to Strong, "from an unused rootmeaning to be firm; to faint; and to them that have no might he increasethstrength." This is physical strength. Are you tired to the point ofexhaustion? This happened to Christ and His disciples. This verse is aboutan exhausted Christian and the way to regain his strength.Have you ever said, "I am so weary I wonder if I can get through the day? Ifyou haven't just wait, you will. When we start getting old we gradually lose our strength and wonder what is happening. One day Julia Ward Howe slumped into a chair, saying, "I am tired---tiredway down into the future." I'm sure some who read this can understand fromexperience what she is saying. God, who by His power created the universe and all that is in it, "Says,'Look up into the heavens! Who created the universe. God with that kind ofpower will use it to give rest when we need it.This same all-powerful God is the source of our strength. Psalms 62:11, "Godhath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God."He has an inexhaustible supply. God knows how easily we faint and become discouraged when the storms beat upon our lives. It is not His purpose that we faint or grow weary. His promise of power and strength is for the weak. This may seem strange, butthe Lord of life spent most of His time with the weak.This power is a gift from God. "He giveth" power to the faint. The secret to obtaining this power is to wait on the Lord. Isaiah 40:31, "But they thatwait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up withwings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, andnot faint."
Someone has said, "
The power behind a Christian is greater than the troublesbefore Him.
May the Lord bless you with these words.

Monday, May 21, 2007

How to be an Overcomer !!

HOW TO BE AN OVERCOMER

1 John 5:1-5
Morning Meditation 5/21/2007
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every onethat loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By thiswe know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep hiscommandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of Godovercometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeththat Jesus is the Son of God?"

In America we are oriented to winning. I recall in October of 1987 a little girl 18 months of age got international attention after she fell 22 feet into a well. The rescue teams worked around the clock and 58 and ½ hours later they brought her out to a cheering people all over the country. Our text speaks of a situation much greater than this. The greatest losers are those who neglect their eternal souls. Matthew 16:26 says, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” A Christian can lose his rewards by ignoring God’s will for his life but he cannot lose his soul. So this subject has something in it to challenge the unsaved man, whose interests are to make it big in this world, and also the Christian who quits too soon after his conversion.
TO BE AN OVERCOMER ONE HAS TO BE SAVED
The above text says, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is bornof God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that isbegotten of him."John says, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”This is simplicity itself. God made it easy for a sinner to be saved. Hecreated in every man a measure of faith and when that faith responds to the gospel the person exercising it is saved. Some of the things hindering a person from being saved (be an overcomer):
1. Personal pride. It is common among the sons of Adam that one feels secure because he has made it in life and if he has made it here, he will make it at the Judgment. Wrong thinking.
2. The humility of repentance. Real repentance will bring one to his knees.Someone has said that before the cross the ground is level. In other wordsthe rich and the poor meet as equals before the cross. The poor mandiscovers that he does not get credit for being poor and suffering from itat the judgment. The rich man discovers that his riches do not enhance hischance of being saved. All have sinned and all are commanded to repent. Itis repent or perish.
3. Procrastination. This is a way that Satan traps multitudes. It is notthat they can’t be saved, it is that they are too busy. There are those inhell who knew what they needed to do to be saved but they were just too busymaking a living and having their fun to take time. Proverbs 27:1, "Boast notthyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."
4. Stubbornness. Proverbs 29:1, "He, that being often reproved hardenethhis neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
5. There are those who think they have gotten away with sin because God has not intervened. Ecclesiastes 11:9, "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways ofthine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment."
6. There are those who have seared their consciences by believing what the evolutionist teaches. He thinks that because he does not believe in God that He does not exist. Wrong thinking.

THE PROMISE TO THE OVERCOMER
The Holy Spirit tells us in Revelation 21:7, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."Who is the overcomer? Verse 1 says, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is theChrist is born of God…”There are great promises that the Lord has made to the saved. He willfulfill every promise. Peter takes up this truth in 1 Peter 1:4-5, "To aninheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
THE WAY OF THE OVERCOMER
It is a way of obedience:
1 John 5:3, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." The word“grievous” means “burdensome.” Are you burdened down in the work of the Lord? If so, something is wrong. Doing God’s work God’s way is not a burden to the overcomer.
SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OVERCOMER
The overcomer has the joy of the assurance of salvation. We can know we aresaved.
2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"The overcomer has a unique relationship with the Lord.
Revelation 2:17, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." This is speaking of a special relationship that the saved have to the Saviour. The overcomer is promised a position of authority during the millennium: Revelation 3:21, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in histhrone."May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ,
Bro. White (Evangelist and good friend of Joe Tarr)

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Selling Out Cheap

SELLING OUT CHEAP
Gen 25:27-34
Morning Meditation 5/11/2007
"And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me,I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went hisway: thus Esau despised his birthright."Jacob and Esau represent opposing principles; only now those principles are brought out into the open. The conflict and its issue is now enacted whereeveryone can see it. Sooner or later the inner struggle we experience willmanifest itself openly in our lives.
First let's look at-
THE UNAPPRECIATED PRIVILEGE
"And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, Iam at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? AndJacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold hisbirthright unto Jacob."The attitude of the two boys is demonstrated in the sale of the birthright. Esau was a man of the field. He was probably admired by all those aroundhim. He had the smell of the field on him and he often brought back venisonand his father delighted in him. He was Isaac's favorite. Esau representswhat we are by nature. His mind was on the present. He did not look into thefuture.Jacob was a plain man living in tents. Jacob saw into the future. He wasinterested in what God was doing and his desires were Spiritual. In the case of Esau and Jacob the conflict went on and came to a head whenJacob brought Christ into the world and Esau brought Herod. Esau did notappreciate the privilege of the first born. There is no discharge in theconflict between the two natures. The flesh and the Spirit will never bereconciled.
Next we see-
A TIME OF DECISION
This was a testing time. This test was not where Esau began his decline. It only manifests a confirmed attitude. The flesh is popular and is totally egocentered. When he was confronted with a decision that had to do with eternal things he failed the test.Note three things about Esau. Hebrews 12:16, "Lest there be any fornicator,or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."1. He was a fornicator.2. He was a profane person.3. He sold his birthright for comparatively nothing.There is a time in our lives where we must make a decision. How you respondto God's call on your life will reveal if you follow Esau or Jacob. This time may be a time of weakness. Satan tempted Jesus during a forty dayfast in the wilderness. Satan is a master in catching us when things aregoing bad. It may be trouble with finances, sickness that has affected yourthinking; it may be a child that is rebelling and it's breaking your heart. This is a bad time to make important decisions. We need to learn to dealscripturally with how circumstances are not in our favor. There comes a time in every Christian's life that he must make a decisionabout the depth of his commitment to the Lord. What are we willing to giveup to answer His call. What if God calls your child to preach and go out asa missionary? Would you encourage him to follow the Lord no matter what?What about your personal commitment? Is Christ first in your life?
THE TIME OF REGRET
here was a time when Esau regretted this bad decision. Hebrews 12:17, "Forye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, hewas rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought itcarefully with tears."Esau found no place of repentance. It had nothing to do with his salvation;it had to do with the Spiritual privilege that would be afforded him becauseof his birthright. The door was slammed in his face forever. Will there be a time of regret for the Christian who has no depth to hiscommitment to the Lord. The saved will stand before the Lord and his works will be tested by fire. 1Corinthians 3:15, "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."What about the man whose works are put to the test of fire and he stands being reminded of what might have been. Tears will not be wiped away untilafter the Judgment Seat of Christ. I want to remind you, you will not bejudged at this judgment. Our judgment as Christians has already taken place on the Cross. However, there will be grief by those who were just nominal Christians.
Revelation 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears fromtheir eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passedaway."Esau sold out cheap. He did not appreciate the eternal value of thebirthright. When decision time came, because he did not place a proper valueon his birthright, he sold it for a bowl of stew. He regretted that he soldthe birthright, but it did not change what had happened.May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ
Bro. Tarr's Friend --Dr. White

Thursday, May 3, 2007

HE CAUSES US TO TRIUMPH
2 Cor 2:14 Morning Meditation
5/3/2007
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." Paul credits the Lord as the cause of every triumph in the Christian life. The words "Now thanks be unto God" translates "thriambeuo" and means, "totriumph, to celebrate a triumph." It is from the root word meaning a hymn sung in festal processions. It is a "Sudden outburst of gratitude incontrast to the previous dejection in Troas." -Robertson's Word Pictures.When the Church meets, singing is always one of the main parts of theservice. These songs of praise are songs that celebrate our victory in Christ. Let's look at some things that He is the cause of in the Christian's life.
HE IS THE CAUSE OF SALVATION1. He is our Creator and wants to be our Re-Creator. Ephesians 4:24, "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Salvation is God's plan not ours. Ephesians 1:4-6, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before himin love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by JesusChrist to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To thepraise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in thebeloved." Note the words, "Wherein he hath made us accepted." He is thedynamic of this transaction. There is no sweat on the face of the believerbecause he didn't do a thing but cast himself on the mercy of God, i.e.,"God be merciful to me a sinner."2. He is directly involved in the salvation of each soul. The Word ispreached and His Holy Spirit is His unseen presence to enforce theregeneration of the believer when faith is exercised. He is the CAUSE of oursalvation.
HE IS THE ONE WHO CAUSES US TO STAND
1 Corinthians 2:5, "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,but in the power of God."The word "faith" in this verse is not talking about saving faith; it istalking about what we as believers believe. Many of those to whom Paul waswriting would have to seal their testimony of salvation by standing firmlyon what is believed. God is able to make us to stand. Romans 14:4, "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his ownmaster he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is ableto make him stand."In the work of soul winning, I have run into many who have used for anexcuse for not immediately receiving Christ as Saviour, that they could nothold out. First of all, a person is not saved by holding out; he is saved byletting God do the holding. John 10:27-30, "My sheep hear my voice, and Iknow them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and theyshall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. MyFather, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluckthem out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."
HE IS THE CAUSE OF HOLINESS
1 Corinthians 1:30, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is madeunto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"It is God who makes Christ Jesus unto us wisdom, and righteousness, andsanctification, and redemption. The word "sanctification" in this verse isthe translation of a word that means "holy."This means that Christ is our holiness before the Lord.
HE IS THE CAUSE OF OUR SECURITY
Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost thatcome unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."This verse says that "He is able" to save to the uttermost, "seeing he everliveth to make intercession for them." Our security is in His intercessoryministry.Romans 8:35-39, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shalltribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril,or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; weare accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we aremore than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, thatneither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, northings present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any othercreature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is inChrist Jesus our Lord."The world, the flesh, or the Devil cannot separate us from our position thatwe hold in Christ Jesus.
IT IS HE THAT CAUSES US TO BE VICTORIOUS
1 John 5:4, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this isthe victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." We are saved byfaith in Him, and once in Him, He becomes our victory in this present evilworld. "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, andmaketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." We arealways triumphant in Him. He gives us His triumph. May the Lord bless these words to our hearts. In Christ- Bro. White (Dr. Earl White is a friend of mine and a great man of God with much wisdom, thus a sometimes contributor to this blog.)

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Where's my Results?!

"How long till this education money that I'm paying pays off for us?"
It's a question that some parents ask out load, and some inside their mind only. Here is one
answer.


Dear Parents,

There are five segments in the education process, through which each of us must pass.
We have our sowing time, growing time, weeding time, irrigation time, and finally the harvest. As parents, and educators, we wish that sowing time and harvest time would occur the same day in every learning situation. But most often there is much time between these stages. "When can I reap he benefits of what I have sown today?" Well, sometimes not for many years. That is why it is so important that in teaching we are consistent in our "sowing," always teaching the right things.
J.A. St. John said it this way, "The principals and ideas he (the student) puts into his mind in youth lie there, it may be, for many years apparently unprolific. But nothing dies. There is a process going on unseen, and by the touch of circumstances, the man springs forth into strength, he knows not how, as if by miracle. But after all, he only reaps as he had sown."
We are teaching for immediate results, and in 90% of our academic and spiritual areas—receiving them. Yet, some of what we teach is spiritual sowing, or weeding, or watering that must wait for a special harvest day. It is teaching that will spring forth when needed the most.
This is one of the most powerful things about Christian education—that it effects the life forever.

Joe Tarr,
Principal

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

An "Elementary" Education...2nd Edition

Dear Parents,
Did you ever wonder why we call it "elementary" school? I guess we could come up with some other kind of classification for the youngest classes in school other than the word "elementary." Though the true origin of the word is unsure, the meaning is very fitting.
The dictionary says that "elementary" means "of the first principles or fundamentals."
That sure is what we are focusing on here at JCA...the first principles and the fundamentals. There are two main areas in which we do this in order to give an education that is solid and strong in the most important elements of life.
First, academically, we are able to achieve goals and standards one to two years ahead of regular schools, and the main reason is that we are focusing on the basic principles upon which all education is built. So it is elementary in the sense that the elements of greatness are built into our children from the start and then continually reviewed each year. We want to be great at the most important parts of education. I am so glad to have my three children getting an expert knowledge of the basics, so we can build on that the following year and so on and so on.
Second, spiritually, the elements of a Christian life are taught here at JCA. Basic values are given in the Bible on how to live a life that is pleasing to God. It is elementary in the sense that without these basic elements being taught, a student is destined to fail, in some degree, in the spiritual side of life. Proverbs 29:15, "…but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."
In a spiritual context, junior high and high school should be genuine "elementary" schools, also—teaching the "elements’ that make up a Christian life.
Imagine a school without the right academic and spiritual basics!! Well, you could say, "It’s not even an ‘elementary’ school."
I think of this when it’s time to consider the financial expenditure of a Christian school. Is it worth it? You better believe it! And time will tell it.

Monday, April 2, 2007

The True Christian

THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN
1 John 5:1 Morning Meditation 12/16/2006 by Earl White..
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every onethat loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."I want us to look at some of the marks of a true child of God that are namedin this short epistle.
First of all-HE BELIEVES THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST
This is a universal truth. By universal, I mean that it is something that istrue of all believers. John says, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is theChrist is born of God." The "is" is a continuous action verb. It means that he continually believes.He cannot be persuaded differently. He is set in concrete on this subject;the "whosoever" refers to any and all believers. John says that this is adoctrine that is inherent in the gospel. Faith in Christ embraces the wholetruth about Christ. It does not mean he understands it all. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said to me on one occasion, "when I was saved I did notknow anything about the virgin birth; but the moment I heard that Jesus wasborn of a virgin, I believed it." When we are saved we believe all of Jesus'claims, even though for us to understand the doctrine, we must be taught.
HE LOVES HIS BRETHREN
Verse 1 says, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten ofhim."This is one of the marks of a true Christian. "Every one that loveth himthat begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."1 John 3:14, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because welove the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." John isvery uncompromising in his declaration "He that loveth not his brotherabideth in death."
HE LIVES A RIGHTEOUS LIFE
1 John 2:29, "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one thatdoeth righteousness is born of him."Living out the life of the indwelling Christ is a definite mark of the truebeliever. Living out the life of Christ is not done in the power of the willor the power of the flesh, it is being filled with the Spirit. Only Christis righteous. Philippians 3:9 says, "And be found in him, not having mineown righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faithof Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
HE KEEPS THE LORD'S COMMANDMENTS
The word "commandments" means "the saying of the Lord." For instance, thegreat commission: Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them,saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore,and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of theSon, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoeverI have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of theworld. Amen."Obedience to the Lord is only reasonable for the one who has just beenforgiven of all sin and given eternal life. Paul brings this out in Romans12:1, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that yepresent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which isyour reasonable service."Keeping the Lord's commands is not burdensome for the Christian. 1 John 5:3says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and hiscommandments are not grievous." The word "grievous" means "burdensome."The most unreasonable thing is that a person who has received salvation as agift from God because of the death of Christ on the cross, would refuse tobe obedient.
HE IS HATED BY THE WORLD
The believer is the light of the world; Matthew 5:14-16, "Ye are the lightof the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do menlight a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and itgiveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine beforemen, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is inheaven."Light will always expose those who walk in darkness and the darkness willalways hate the light. A believer does not have to expose darkness byrailing accusations; the life that he lives will automatically expose thedarkness and will therefore bring the hatred of darkness upon him.
HE OVERCOMES SATAN
1 John 4:4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: becausegreater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."What a joyous thought. We are overcomers because we have the Overcomerliving within us. Christ has never lost a battle against Satan. Satan is adefeated foe. He is operating on limited time. The cross took his dominionfrom him. The believer can come against Satan in the Name of Jesus and hemust surrender. Colossians 2:14-15, "Blotting out the handwriting ofordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out ofthe way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities andpowers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." The word"spoiled" translates "apekduomai" and means "wholly put off from one's self,denoting separation from what is put off." Jesus threw Satan down from histhrone. He also did this for every one of His followers. James 4:7, "Submityourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."HE OVERCOMES THE WORLD1 John 5:4, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this isthe victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."Our faith in Christ overcomes the world because He overcomes the world.Jesus becomes our Overcomer.1 Corinthians 1:30, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is madeunto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
"May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ Bro. White

The Pickle Jar

The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom.When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar. As a small boy I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar.They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty.Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled. I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar and admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window.When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank.Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production. Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck. Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. "Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than me.This old mill town's not going to hold you back." Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly."These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me."We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When theclerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. "When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again." He always let me drop the first coins into theempty jar.As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other. "You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes andquarters," he said. "But you'll get there. I'll see to that."The years passed, and I finished college and took a job inanother town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed. A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood.My dad was a man of few words, and never lectured me on thevalues of determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done.When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant partthe lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me.No matter how rough things got at home,Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even thesummer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar. To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me."When you finish college, Son," he told me, his eyes glistening,"You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to."The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad'sarms. "She probably needs to be changed," she said, carrying the babyinto my parents' bedroom to diaper her.When Susan came back into the living room,there was a strange mist in her eyes. She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room."Look", she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins.I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins.With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar.I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slippedquietly into the room.Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt. Neither one of us could speak. This truly touched my heart. I know it has yours as well.Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings.Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse.God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way....----- a friend.

An "Elementary" Education

*** Watch for full text of this article tomorrow. ***

An education without the basic elements of sucessful teaching cannot even be called an "elementary" education. How many schools of so-called higher learning, then , are not even so much as an elementary school?

Basic element #1 ... Academics. Teaching the basics to the base student is why we call it an elementary school. We are supposed to train the basics of academics so well that the student has a great foundation upon which to build.

Basic element #2 ... Spirituality. Teaching the sound doctrine that is necessary to please God with our lives is basic, elementary education. Can we call it an education without the foundation laid out in the Bible. "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"

...more to come...