I like to mess with photos.

Apologetics--- ahhhhpologetics.

Hello again. Sorry it has been a while since I have posted. You know how it is...

So, I am teaching a unit on Apologetics to seniors at Lynden Christian and I am finding it very difficult, but not for the usual reasons. My complication is that Apologetics is kinda hard to teach if I don't know what the students faith life is like. I want to challenge these students to STAND UP FOR THEIR FAITH, to be passionate, to want to know more, but it seems like I need to slow it down in order for it to settle in. I lectured on Tuesday about our need to know what we believe and why, and care about it if we indeed are Christians, and it really did not seem like they cared all that much what I was talking about.

so...I have decided to get to know the students better instead of dropping the "ARE YOU REALLY WHO YOU CLAIM TO BE, OR ARE YOU A MINIATURE OF YOUR PARENT (minus the rationale)!!!" line on them to soon.

Lesson Learned of high school students: Being able/and willing to think for yourself takes time.

I hope to see you all soon (17-18 more days or so).

My Biggest Fear

Normally during the girls soccer games at LC I stand or crouch by the sideline to watch the game. Today, I sat on the bench. Cassie, the manager due to injury, told me it was a quark of hers to know peoples biggest fear. I thought of a few things...but nothing really convinced me at the time.

Well, I let it roll around in my head for a bit and it came to me.

My biggest fear is that I am not really a child of God.

It seems to be the deepest insecurity issue of all time, though not all the time. Because it really isn't my biggest fear everyday, where I think about it and dread it 24/7. Its the times I am low or off balance that I am really struck. Sometimes it starts with being disconnected from something Christian, like a worship service/Bible reading/conversation/or something where people are really on fire...and I am just not there with them. or sometimes it is when I have made a mistake that seems like it could not possible be forgivable. I also think a part of it is the other lie that Satan whispers in my ear that says I am unlovable.

This may sound a little nuts on the surface because I know I am a child of God and I know that he loves me no matter what.

yet, these times when I start to believe this...are the scariest times of my life...my biggest fears.

Its one thing to fear the pain and unknown of dying, because as a child of God its only temporary pain. The real glory awaits. But if there is no expectation of future glory...if there is no hope.....then all there is suffering beyond my wildest imagination, forever. Hell.

So I guess my biggest fear (or in reality, the biggest pain in the a** lie that Satan tells me) is of separation from God, forever.

By the way...I don't think I am the only one who hears this lie in their ear. If you hear it, call it out for what it is. It is a lie from Satan.

O how he loves you and me. O how he loves you and me. He gave his life. What more could he give? O how he loves you and me.

:)

The Patriot

Well, I have officially begun my teaching career! It has been a good week of U.S. History and assistant coaching soccer. In fact I even got a mocha from the goalkeeper because I have been helping out with her training! That made me feel good. We have a game tonight at 430, it should be a good one.

Anywho, then reason I am posting is because of my history class today. We played a quiz game then watched the movie The Patriot. So, I had the students get into groups/make quiz games/then pass the quiz game to the next group.

While I was walking around to make sure the students were actually playing the game I noticed a question that looked a little peculiar. It read:
Who is the greatest patriot of all time? on the front of the card.

and on the back: Mel Gibson.

dang...I could not help but bust up laughing. It was great.

Picnik

Lori, thanks for directing me to a online editing site. I was hoping on getting a program for my computer, but it never happened. Here are some edits from the morning. You like?

My name is now Mr. N

Well, I tried to have kids call me Mr. Nibbelink, but it didn't work. Everyone kept asking me how to say it, so finally I decided to have them call me Mr. N.

I start teaching U.S. History on Monday. I'm doing more planning than I will later, but I want to make sure I am not a junkie teacher to begin.

:)

Yellow Aster Butte Trail

Today I was invited to go hiking with the band teacher of LCHS Greg van sickle. So, we took off to Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and hit the trail. Apparently hiking is still very good until the end of October, then snowshoeing is in. The trail had many great views of mount baker and mount shuksan which made the hike a lot easier. I had a very good time getting out into the mountains and seeing some new scenery. Through out the hike I was reminded of Alaska because of the vegetation as well as the lack of dangerous elevation/afternoon showers and lightning. I suppose I am not that far off though. Sweet. Have a good day.


-Mount Baker


-Mount Shuksan


-notice that I am wearing more clothes than usual. It was nice and cold.






-We went off the trail for a while and saw some great views.


-Pond and Mount Shuksan(9,131ft) on the way back down.

Cup O' Tea Saturday.

First of all, it feels a lot like fall today. It hit me when I woke up went outside and it was cool and crisp. Then I turned on the tube and college football was on! The basement was cool so I made a cup of coffee to warm up and wake up. For the first time I felt a bit nostalgic about Dordt(even though technically I still go there). I remember getting ready for soccer games and having a nice breakfast with some of my soccer buddies. However, right in the middle of my happy memories I remembered how Mike Oppeneer used to get mad because his missed college football almost every Saturday due to soccer. It made me happy to be sitting around. So happy in fact, that I got up and biked over to the basketball courts and blew off some energy.

I love the changing of seasons. It seems to make me think about things on a different level. I am either thinking about past times I have had during that time of the year, reflecting on my life as a whole, or thinking about adventures I want to be a part of. It seems like I am never in a rhythm when the seasons change. New seasons always seem to be a new chapter, I suppose this time its especially apparent given that I am in a new place, with people new to me, and doing something new. I guess its no wonder. Well, whatever. It still feels funny when the seasons change.

(by the way I started drinking Green Tea during the summer and I absolutely love it)