Mr. C's Blog

“Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?” Romans 8:32

My parents sacrificed a lot in life to take care of me and provide for me as I was growing up. My problem was that I did not fully appreciate it until I was grown up. I am not sure that I even understood the depth of love that real sacrifice requires until I became an adult.

One of Webster’s definitions of sacrifice is the “destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else”. My parents surrendered a lot of their wants and aspirations to provide for me. All because of the unconditional love that they had for me.

My parent’s sacrifices were great but nothing compared to what God has provided for us. Romans 8:32 above so powerfully tells us what real sacrifice looks like. God “did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all.” God sacrificed what was most precious to Him for you and me.

He did that to not only pay the penalty for our sins and give us eternal life but also so that we might have “life and have it more abundantly” as John 10:10 describes. I love also the last phrase of Romans 8:32 which says, “won’t He also give us everything else?”

He stands ready to give us joy, peace, love, and all things that pertain to life. He sacrificed His Son so He could do those things for us. This is what real sacrifice looks like. God is “All In” for us! Stop and think about the idea that the great God of this universe gave it all for you and me!

Maybe today you are discouraged and beaten down. Allow the truth of Romans 8:32 to touch your heart and remind you that you are a child of the King and He wants to give you the help you need today to live the life He has planned for you.

As we are reminded of the great truth from Romans 8:32, I pray we will also be challenged because of our love for God to be “All In” for Him. Christianity has shrunk in its influence in recent years according to research. I believe mainly because our commitment and sacrifice as Christians to God has waned.

If those of us who claim the name of Christ would consistently live “All In” for God, then I believe we could shake this world for Christ in ways we would never imagine! 

My heart’s desire is that we as individuals and the community of Metrolina would commit ourselves to loving and living for God. What we would gain in this world and the next would be far greater than any sacrifice we could give!

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

2 Corinthians 4:7

Treasure hunting has long been the fascination of so many in our society. Searching for lost treasure is the ultimate get rich quick scheme. The fascination of lost treasure has even resulted in the making of two blockbuster movies called “National Treasure.” In the end, none of this so-called treasure really satisfies.

How do I know that simply acquiring treasure will not satisfy? You need look no further than King Solomon. Ecclesiastes 2 tells us that Solomon acquired more earthly treasure than anyone in history and yet it did not satisfy him. Verse eleven of Chapter 2 records Solomon’s thoughts on earthly treasure. 

“But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”

Solomon says all this worldly treasure is meaningless and not worthwhile. I am afraid that so many people will spend their lives working hard chasing the American dream and acquiring stuff only to realize the truth of what Solomon is saying.

Instead of pursuing worldly treasure, Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:7 of the real treasure that we as believers have in Christ. Paul reminds us that when we are saved that God puts a “light shining in our heart.” Even with this light, we still occupy our earthly bodies where we will face struggles and hardships. However, because of our relationship with Jesus we have this incredible light of hope that supersedes all our difficulties.

Paul goes on to tell us that this light is a “great treasure” that we have within us. This is a real treasure that has “great power” for us to live this life. This is a treasure that will not fade away or be meaningless. This is a treasure that we will have not only in this lifetime but also throughout eternity. There is no substitute for the light, the hope, and the peace that the treasure of God provides for us.

Maybe it is about time that we remind ourselves as Christians that this world is not really our home. As well, the things of this world will never satisfy. I love how C.S. Lewis put this thought years ago, when he said: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” I pray you will be encouraged and reminded of the “great treasure” that God has placed in us!

“When you encourage others, you in the process are encouraged because you're making a commitment and difference in that person's life. Encouragement really does make a difference.” Zig Ziglar

I will never forget one of my ninth-grade teachers by the name of Mr. Fellers. Mr. Fellers worked so hard in my life to encourage me to do my best and he always reminded me of how much potential I had if I only applied myself. Mr. Fellers was committed to making a difference in the lives of students as an educator. I am so grateful for the difference he made in my life.

What about us? Are we making a difference in the lives of others? What are we committed to? It is easy in the hustle and bustle of this life to get so busy and so focused on what we are doing that we lose sight of the difference we can make in the lives of others.

I was reminded of this recently when I was doing my morning devotion and read Philippians 2:1. That verse pricked my heart when I read the words of Paul:

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?”

I began to think of my own life and testimony and wondered if my heart was tender and compassionate towards others as it should be. God used that verse to remind me of how good God has been to me. I recognized that clearly when I read the words “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ”?

I was reminded afresh and anew of how God has saved me and encouraged me over the years. Oh, how He has comforted me with His love at times when I thought my world was falling apart. This verse challenged me to make sure that my heart is committed or “All In” in being tender and compassionate towards others.

I pray that the community of Metrolina may be known as a place that is tender and compassionate towards others. I pray that we may use God’s Word to bring hope and encouragement to all those around us.

I love how the Apostle Paul reminded us in Romans 15:4 of the power of God’s Word when he said:

“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”

May we be committed to giving others hope and encouragement through God’s Word as we wait for His promises to be fulfilled!

“Too many Christians have a commitment of convenience. They'll stay faithful as long as it's safe and doesn't involve risk, rejection, or criticism. Instead of standing alone in the face of challenge or temptation, they check to see which way their friends are going.”

Charles Stanley

My parents taught me some incredible lessons growing up. One of the most important things I learned from them early on was that of honoring my commitments. My dad told me over and over that my word was my bond. He would remind me that if I told someone I was going to do something then I had to see it through.

That is quite a contrast from today’s culture where we are encouraged to quit if something gets a little too hard or if it does not make us happy. I am afraid that this type of approach has crossed over into Christian circles and I am concerned that it is doing so much harm to the cause of Christ.

Too often, the world around us sees Christians who do not stay committed or refuse to stand up against that which is wrong. It has become difficult to distinguish between the commitment levels of those who claim the name of Christ and those that don’t. We see evidence of this problem in our relationships, our faith walk, and so much more. No wonder so many non-Christians are not interested in Christianity because they believe the church is full of hypocrites.

As believers, Jesus commanded us to live differently. He declared in Matthew 22:37: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” 

This verse powerfully commands us to be fully committed to God with everything we have. This is not a commitment that only impacts one aspect of our lives. It impacts every aspect of our lives. To love God with our heart, soul, and mind is to be “All In.”

This is my heart’s desire and prayer for us as a school this year that we be “All In” for God. MCA is committed to be a distinctively Christian school. I am committed to challenging each of us to love God the way Matthew 22:37 declares. This is why we have chosen this verse as our theme for the year.

For us to see the fruit of this, I know it must begin with me. I am asking God to work so greatly in my life that others might see Jesus in me daily. Would you join me in being “All In” this year for God? I believe that God has great things in store for us this year as a school. May those in our community see that the Metrolina community is “All In” for Jesus!

I am so excited to welcome all our students and families back in a few days to school year 2018-2019!

As well, I want to give a very special welcome to all new students and families at Metrolina this year. We have prepared, planned, and prayed all summer for this upcoming school year. We believe that God has big things in store for us this school year.

Our new Worship and Performing Arts Building is complete and ready to show you at Orientation. It is an incredible venue for the performing arts and for our food service program. Our new food service program will be called the “Metro Station.” You will see many options in food service evolve throughout the year as we attempt to serve our students better.

We have significantly upgraded our existing gym with a new wood floor that will accentuate our athletic and physical education programs.

We have added new staff and new programs that will make our school even stronger. We are launching a new Learning Management System which will enable us to make many of our classes more blended with technology. It will also give us the platform to launch our very own online courses in the future. In addition, we are adding Fine arts electives in middle school and high school. Our dual enrollment program continues to grow and allow our students to earn 30+ plus college credit hours while still in high school. These are just a few of the improvements you will notice.

Our commitment to excellence has never been stronger. As we prepare to start a new school year, we pray God’s blessings over our students, families, staff, and campus. It is our heart to do all things in an excellent manner and as Daniel 6:3 says to have an “excellent spirit” in us as we go through this year.

“Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him.  

May we exhibit an excellent spirit in all we do in 2018-2019 and may God be glorified on the campus of Metrolina this school year! We cannot wait to see you back! Go Warriors!