“If we lose this generation, if we don’t teach them the correct principles, we will lose the republic in the next generation… Our children are being taught to be slaves to government. If they’re the ultimate provider, then they who giveth can  taketh away,” commented Beck in an hour long exposé on the political indoctrination of the next generation to favor a progressive agenda.

The “Generation We”, composed of the 95 million American citizens born from 1978-2000, is the supposed cure-all for society’s shortcomings. “We are more globally oriented, we are more ethnically diverse, we are more technologically adept, better educated, less politically partisan,” claims a video composed of several young men and women apparently part of the rising political movement.

This past November, a bill was passed through the House to oust private lenders from the student loans industry, threatening complete federal control over scholarships and lending. Slowly, government is gaining control, and we are content it watch it happen—not out of satisfaction with the change, but because of complete ignorance of the issue.

Beck was right in many respects. “These kids were born at this time for a reason. They are going to be the protectors of liberty, but only if we treat them with respect, not indoctrination…let them rule themselves when they come of age.”

We are the generation who will inherit this country, but we cannot do so blinded by subtle government influences. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,” (Proverbs 22:6). But that is not the responsibility of the government. It is the responsibility of the home (Malachi 4:6).

To watch the recorded episode of Glen Beck, go to http://www.watchglennbeck.com/video/2010/March/Watch-The-Glenn-Beck-Show-March-5-2010/

I keep hearing about the issue of cutting.

Why do people do it? What can we do as Christians to help them?

Cutting isn’t something that you hear much about on the nightly news or on national cover stories, but with the well-kept secret gaining more and more awareness, no one can deny its devastation on many teenagers. Teen suicide, drinking, and pregnancies seem to attract a lot of publicity, but how often is the issue of cutting addressed? The non-profit organization, To Write Love on Her Arms, raises awareness to the seriousness of self-injury.

So why do teens cut? It turns out there can be a lot of reasons why, and stress is a bigger factor than a lot of people realize. A source that asked to remain anonymous explained: “I do it because I can’t deal with all of the emotional pain that I am going through, so everything that I can’t say out loud, I bleed out.”

Something is wrong with the world when people can no longer hear the silent struggles of those around us. Since when can’t we notice a quick look of pain on a friend? The pulled-down sleeves to hide the scars? Too many people ask, “why do they do this?” That’s not the real question. The real question is “what have you done lately to help?” And the first step is to understand.

When a person cuts, it’s to express a deep frustration, a sadness and anger that just won’t go away. The pressure can come in the form of worry over schoolwork, fighting with friends, relationships, and family problems. Another reason is self-consciousness—kids today are more worried about how they look, what people think of them, how many friends they have, and if they are accepted than ever before. I don’t think we truly understand how much of what people say affects young adults. It can be a joke or a comment, a mean name, a rude remark. Any of these things can hurt someone deep enough to make him or her cut as a way to show how he or she feels, or as a form of punishment as a result of self-hatred. Something made them feel like they are unworthy or not good enough, and it may have been something we said, knowingly or not.

“…your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God[.] You are not your own,” (1 Corinthians 6:19). And cutting threatens that temple. Sometimes, cutting turns accidently fatal, and an expression of depression becomes a means of suicide.

“Its a way for them to feel in control and to deal with things,” explained Alison Stapleton.

Cutting is a dangerous expression of problems, and there are other ways to cope. You can write a poem explaining how things are, write a song, read a book, listen to music—or you can pray. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. There fore we will not fear,” (Psalm 46:2). God can help carry the burdens that many teens and kids have today. He loves and cares about us and hates to see us struggle. If you know someone who is cutting, pray for them and tell them about a God who has already bled for us. You may just save a life.

At the time this edition was going to press, we learned that the anonymous teen accepted Christ as their Savior after a church service at Calvary. He/she  feels calmer and more confident than he/she did without Him.

The baseball team begins this new season with high hopes for a long run, and even a shot at a state title. Coach Mucerino described the talent of his team this year as very strong with multiple strengths for every position, including a strong group of pitchers, while “every player on the team has the ability to put up three hits a game.” The strengths were shown in the Eagles’ first game of the year as they grabbed an easy victory in the Coral Springs High tournament, leading to a quick 3-0 start for the season. The Eagles defeated Coral Springs 6-5 in 10 innings earning their third win. “The fast start to the season does not give this team any sense of comfort, we know there is still plenty of work to be done and our schedule only gets harder,” said Mucerino as he talked about the beginning of this season. However, one thing is for sure, the Eagles will definitely be able to handle the strength of schedule and have a legitimate shot at prevailing into the post-season.

Looking at the Varsity Softball team, they too have the assets and credentials to succeed this season. “Our strength would definitely be our pitching, while our other players have the ability to play the field and contribute to a win,” remarked Coach Schoonover, as he related to his team’s goals for the year. “Our team goal this year will be to win the district championship and make it through 2 rounds of regional play.”

Both of these teams have the opportunity to succeed. “With some hard work and solid performances from our guys we can do it,” said Coach Mucerino. There is no reason why the bar should not be set at the top for both teams, as the hopes are high for a very remarkable and memorable year in baseball.

God commands every husband to agape love (to unconditionally love) his wife, and every wife to unconditionally respect her husband. In August 1999, Emerson Eggerichs and his wife Sarah left their congregation at East Lansing Trinity church to start spreading this God-given message to revolutionize marriages around the country. Due to the overwhelming amount of divorces, even in the church, they launched the Love and Respect conferences.

On February 12th and 13th, the Love and Respect conference came to South Florida, here at Calvary Chapel. Many married couples, singles, and youth just wanting to understand this simple concept in order to make their relationships better, attended the conference. In fact, all Liquid students who signed up for the conference were able to have the opportunity to attend for free. Dr. Emerson finds it extremely beneficial for youth to learn more about the opposite sex and the beauty of marriage before entering into a serious relationship. During the conference both Emerson and Sarah spoke about the crazy cycle (without respect, he reacts without love, without love, she reacts without respect), how to get off of it, the energizing cycle (the process in which a couple jumps off the crazy cycle and reflects), and the rewarded cycle (the reward for cracking the male/female communication code). Overall, this experience was highly beneficial for all who seek to learn about God’s elaborate design for marriage.

From Pre-K reading level to adult literature, including books, CDs and DVDs, to posters, bookmarks and pens, the Book Fair has a wide variety of items available for purchase. CCA decided to hold the Book Fair several years ago with a hope to “teach children to invest in worthwhile books with built-in value, permanence, and character-building qualities,” Mrs. Kavanaugh adds. “People want books that belong to them, to keep as treasures. It is also an opening to the world of Christian literature.”

Sonshine Harbor Christian Family Books travels to Christian schools all over Florida every year. Each year, students at CCA look forward to the Book Fair and love helping promote the event by holding posters at drop-off and pick-up, and passing out flyers. Helpful parents enjoy volunteering, and always receive “special goodies” throughout the week. So, why not join the fun? Come to the Book Fair this week!

“Dance is my way of giving back to the Lord and worshipping Him for the talents that He’s blessed me with. It brings me so much joy to be able to use my gifts to glorify Him and share that joy with other people,” says dancer Kelsey Thomas.

She, as well as other dancers who are coming back, have a different perspective of the show.  “I am now an experienced dancer , but more than that, I can truly understand the meaning behind the dances and the power of the story it portrays about the creation of the world. We are a part of that creation,” says Thomas.

Creation is a breathtaking adventure through the book of Genesis that an audience of all ages will be able to enjoy! Come witness the excitement of a concert in dance at the Calvary Chapel Theater on Friday, March 19 at 7:30pm, Saturday, March 20 at 1:30pm and 8:00pm, and Sunday, March 21 at 3:00pm. Tickets range form $10, $15, and $20 and are on sale now at http://www.ccaeagles.org under Fine Arts.

“We exist to make disciples…spiritually, academically, and socially.” As an institution whose primary focus is the equipping of students through discipleship, CCA has maintained a standard of excellence in all three aspects of its mission statement. Second in the list, but by no means least in the school’s tool belt for gearing up student disciples, is academics.

Just as the spiritual and social equipping is vital, a strong and rigorous academic education enables students to bring Christ’s light to a different type of mission field: the intellectually incomplete and spiritually lost world. A thorough and widespread academic knowledge prepares the doctors, lawyers, teachers, and future ministry leaders rising from CCA to play an effective and impacting role ministering in their specific fields.

CCA provides students a foundation that will motivate them to aspire towards God’s best for their lives because He calls us by His own glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3). After ten years of aspiring to fulfill this command from Christ, one of the school’s key founders is also reminded that “unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Executive Pastor and Head of School, Pastor Mark Davis as he reminisced over the
early days of the school, explained his heart after witnessing its tremendous growth, and commented on what he hopes to see
accomplished in the future. Here’s what he said…

CW: As CCA celebrates its ten-year anniversary, what are your feelings as you look back and see how far the school has advanced academically?

PM: I think some of the big differences, from the early years of the school to today, is that we have a much larger staff and we have a greater investment in materials and resources.  Also, our course offerings have broadened—especially in the areas of Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, and honors classes. As we’ve opened up those opportunities for the more gifted and motivated students, it has been great to see the positive environment of academic motivation among the students grow to the point where more and more students want to take part in the more challenging courses. It has also been great to see how our teachers who are committed Christians are not settling but are continuing to improve and strengthen the quality of our academic program.

CW: How did your desire to start this school begin? How did God reveal His plans?

PM: My wife and I have seen how Christian education molds and shapes kids so much more in depth than a youth ministry or children’s ministry ever can. School has the kids thirty to forty hours a week; church ministry has the kids for one or two hours a week, so the ability to really mold and shape them is significantly greater if you can have the home, the church, and the school all on the same page. It’s like a three-legged stool that a student sits on and when all three legs on the stool are like-minded and spiritually strong, then a student has a strong foundation to grow from.

CW: What is the biblical importance behind having a Christian school that is strong academically?

PM: Scripture talks about “whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord,” and when we do that, we’re going to be a witness and testimony to a lost world or to certain areas of society that we can sometimes only penetrate if we have the education and credentials. So whatever the arena of life, God has gifted us with a mind and I believe we should develop it as far and fully as we possibly can with excellence because we represent Christ.

CW: What do you hope to see CCA’s academic program become in the next ten years?

PM: I want us to be able to minister to a broader range of students rather than just a lower level student, or just an average student or just an
upper level student because we’re here to serve the body of Christ, primarily the body of Christ here at Calvary Chapel. I’d love to see more creative hands-on experiential learning and some new programs that could take a student’s interest deeper. I love seeing some of the things our students are doing through internships with writing, radio, TV, and fine arts. I really would love to see students who could combine their education with some experience and drive their education home a lot further. One of my other goals is to see an increasing number of our students seek out Christian higher education and learn to deepen their biblical worldview in whatever academic pursuits they choose.

CW: As we get close to sending off to the world another graduating class, what would you say is the biggest graduation gift CCA can present a high school senior?

PM: The greatest gift we could send them off with is the complete knowledge of who Jesus is, who they are in Christ, what they’re called to be, and what they’re called to do; and that they see it as a calling and not just a career. This will not only really prepare them for life but it will prepare them for eternal life. ]]> http://www.theccamessenger.org/featured/2010/03/11/we-exist-to-make-disciples/feed/ 0 http://www.theccamessenger.org/featured/2010/03/11/bahamas-2010/ http://www.theccamessenger.org/featured/2010/03/11/bahamas-2010/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:31:15 +0000 rurrutia http://www.theccamessenger.org/?p=1913 UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
Knowing God and Making Him Known

Life is a long lesson in humility, unity, grace, and leadership. This we learned as an eighth grade class on our first missions trip to the Bahamas last month. These simple four words, often used to describe the qualities required in a missionary, were the basic pillars of a series of exercises and activities that would demonstrate our flaws, our need for Jesus, and our desire to be His, and to know Him—up close and personal.

Even before our quest started—for some on the week of February 16, for others like myself, the week of February 22—we began to experience a closeness to the Lord unlike any other and a need to call on Him, asking for guidance and for an answer only He could provide.

When I first started hearing about this mission trip, I didn’t really know what to expect. Students from last year’s eighth grade class would come into our Bible class to explain things we would see and most likely feel. I listened, but didn’t really understand exactly what they meant… until now. See, sometimes when you’re away from your family and friends, and separated from the things that oftentimes distract you, well… that’s when you hear the Lord the loudest. And that’s what happened to us.

Journey with us so that you too can see and feel what God revealed to us during our missions trip to the Bahamas. For it was there that we met God up close and personal, and made Him known to the world. Come close and listen to our story…

Day One – Arrived in the Bahamas – Nassau Airport – 9:30am A 30-minute bus ride to the Adventure Learning Camp, and we find ourselves at the most picturesque camp. After unpacking our bags and eating some lunch, our group is divided into two: some of us go to the All Saints Camp while others stay behind to do some manual labor. We ask ourselves: “Why are we here?” “What do we expect to find…change in our hearts?” “Are we up for the challenge?”

Lesson learned… (Adventure Learning Center) Being obedient is part of doing God’s will, and Teamwork, Patience, and Unity are key when digging up a gigantic tree, especially when it’s the wrong tree!

“Working showed me how to work together—teamwork—it brought unity; it made us talk to people that you would never talk to. You find God in menial tasks.” – Juliette Lauk

“You can worship God anywhere, even in the field by the way you work.”—Coach Sean Dougherty

Lesson learned… (All Saints Camp) God is everywhere. God is joy. God is light. God is hope. God is compassionate. God is abundant love. He is… my Lord and Savior, my Protector, Creator, Alpha and Omega, the Healer, the Messiah. The definition gets close to home because of how He’s helped me.

Lasting thought… “In your quest this week, and in the rest of your lives, let God use you to do some incredible things. Remember:  S.A.G.— “See the need. Assess the need. Go to the need.” – Coach Sean Dougherty

Day Two – All Saints Camp/Work on the Field – 9am After breakfast, Coach Sean’s devotion opens our eyes to the call God has in our lives. He reads from 1 Samuel, showing us how Samuel listened and obeyed God’s commands. “If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? And how is God going to re-affirm this?” Coach Sean wondered how many of us were serving the Lord, and how many of us had heard from Him. He reminds us that this is a missions trip, not a camp experience.

Lesson learned… Live your life for God. Being obedient is part of doing God’s will.

“God showed me how much we need Him. You go there (All Saints Camp) thinking or hoping to bless others and you get blessed; you leave there being impacted by their  (residents) lives.” – Camila Yalale

Lasting thought… Pastor Topher reminds us to seek God, to get to know Him; because you can’t introduce people to someone you don’t know. “And how do you show it that you know Him?” Pastor Topher asks. “By the way you live, by the way you love.”

“These students have the potential to impact CCA the way the impacted the Bahamas if they stay focused and unified.” – Youth Pastor, Topher Harrison

Day Three – Building Up Season – 10am  After last night’s interesting dinner (sorry, can’t share this story or future trips will miss on the surprise), we wake up having a different perspective on God’s economy and how incredibly blessed we are to live in America, and to be part of our families, especially CCA. After our morning’s devotion, led by Coach Sean, we are reminded that God gives us tools and there’s a task for everyone. Heavily in thought, we go outside and play four games, each designed to teach us about unity, grace, humility, and God’s leadership.

Lessons learned… God gives us tools (His Word, talents, family, CCA teachers and staff, pastors, friends, mentors…) to succeed. This is a built up season—a crash course to be built up—growing in our knowledge so that we’re equipped with the right tools, preparing us for the battle (Good vs. Evil) in which we’re in. So, be strong and courageous. God will be with us.

Lasting thought… “Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.” –Oswald Chambers, Christian author who converted to Christianity in his early teens.

Day Four – Atlantis – 10am  It’s raining again. Our hopes to go to the beach to do ministry there are washed out. Instead, we take a bus trip to the other side of the island. The change is drastic as we leave the poor areas behind and enter what most of the world gets to see: the wonders of the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island. Colorful and beautiful, it is everything the title suggests, and yet, we’re not mesmerized by its wonder. The site of the casino leaves a bad taste in our mouths. Are these people for real? Do they know Christ? What is it that that’s missing in their lives? And worst of all… do they really think they can find it here? With one golden statue, with one expensive adornment we could feed an entire village. The question is: can we change the world?

Lesson learned… A pattern of change should be evident so that God’s grace will increase.

Lasting thought… “Potential is God’s gift to you,” says Coach Sean. “What you do with it is your gift to God.” –Coach Sean

Day Four – Elementary School/Orphanage – 1pm  Nothing could have prepared us for this day, but our hearts are ready to love on these kids. Mr. Ellis begins by introducing Rebecca and Drew, our worship leaders. After worship, a few us do a funny skit that sends a cool message: know who you are. Be real. Anthony surprises us all by giving his testimony. He never met his dad but now, he’s not moved. His Heavenly Father is there for him. Anthony’s words touch many hearts, especially one young girl’s who confesses, “My mom left…” After many tears, hugs, and comforting words, she accepts Jesus as her Lord and Savior. We’re rocked!

Out of a pouch I knitted, I take out a handful of Bible verses and pass them out to my new little friends. I tell them about Jesus and about how much He loves each and every one of them. We all leave with stories… so many, hard to count. It’s hard to say goodbye. The kids want to know if we will come back tomorrow to play with them. We smile. There are no words to say.

“The Bahamas trip was truly a life changing experience. The day that impacted me the most had to be Day 4 when we went to the school. I had prayed the whole week before that God would use me in a huge and mighty way and I guess He really did. I got to share my testimony but what I didn’t realize until after my classmates told me, was how much it impacted others. People came up and told me how kids they talked to could relate to my story and how they led kids to Christ through my testimony. I give all the glory to God and just thank Him for using me.” – Anthony Ashbridge

Later that afternoon, we visit an orphanage. After cleaning the place, inside and out, Cassandra gives her testimony. This time, it is us who can relate to it. We thought our faith was real until God touched our hearts and told us, KNOW ME FIRST!

“Words cannot describe how amazing this trip was. It was simply incredible. God changed my life and the students around me. Watching God work in the hearts of our team and the Bahamians was truly an awesome feeling and something I will never forget.” Cassy Cammarano.

Lessons learned… ‘Tis the season to be honest. Be available without excuse. It’s not what I can do; it’s what He can do!

Day Four – Bon Fire – 7:30pm  Almost every night this week we’ve been able to have a bonfire, except for those nights that rained. Tonight is perfect. Cool, but not freezing; quiet but not so much we can’t hear the tears that are shed as we each throw our pine cones into the fire. Releasing my sins into the flames is personal and yet, I feel the warmth of my friends all around me. I am not judged. Who is against me when God is beside me?

“A group of heathens go out and chug a few beers and then say, ‘now we start living!’ A group of Christians throw pine cones into a bonfire and then say, ‘Now we start living!’” – Christian Coy

Lasting thought… “What are you doing with your heart…who has it?” –Pastor Topher

Day Five – Nassau, Bahamas Airport – 1pm  Well, we thought we were leaving at 2:30pm but God had a different plan! Our flight has been delayed and we are now departing at 7pm. Cool. After some American comfort food (Dunkin’ Donuts), we sit around talking, (sleeping for some) and playing games. Then, Christian Wechter says, “Today is Friday and we would have Chapel back at school. So, let’s have Chapel here!” In the middle of the terminal, we have Chapel, worshipping the Lord with a boldness we didn’t know we had.

Bystanders are watching us, but are they listening too? As we end our mini Chapel, we hear a round of applause from those looking on. We smile. The Word was heard. Nothing is impossible for God. He had a purpose for today and it was fulfilled. How cool is that?

On the way to get on the plane, as my mom shows her ticket, the airport attendant says to her: “I would love to clone your kids. They’re the best group of kids I’ve ever seen!” God is changing us.

“How do we worship God? It’s how we act. Let’s be the generation to change the world. That sounds like a big thing, I know. But, here we are… changing it. When you go home, don’t forget this day. Continue the change there.” – Christian Wechter, as he lead Chapel at Nassau Airport, February 26, 2010.

Lessons learned… Be students of the Word. Love God with all your heart. Love one another. You can’t love God without loving other people. Be there for each other. Stay united and you will succeed.

“God has showed me this week that He allows suffering so that others can do something to help those who are suffering; and learn how to be compassionate, loving and sacrificial.” – Jesse Cervone

Lasting thought… “I hope you have opened up your heart to God and let Him reveal Himself to you. Take the tools and experiences that you’ve been given and do something to impact the world around you back home.” – Coach Sean

Their motto is, “Why not use Super Bowl weekend, a time when people come together for football and fun, to also unify the nation for a higher good: collecting dollars and canned food for the needy?”

For the past two years, CCA has been involved in the Souper Bowl of Caring, and this year, from January 17 to February 5, most of our teachers and over 100 students participated in donating and serving. We held the Souper Bowl of Caring Cook-off, where CCA teachers and staff made their best homemade soup to be voted on a tasting contest by CCA students. Mrs. Hendry won the contest, and was a given a golden trophy. Out of all donations by CCA students and staff, we raised hundreds of dollars and 625 can goods. Being a great success, the CCA community is proud to be a part of such a great movement, and will continue every year.

Yes, Miss Allison Stapleton may be CCA’s newest guidance counselor but it seems that she’s been here for years. Her ready smile is hard to miss and her friendly personality is already scoring high points with both students and parents alike that have been coming to her with a myriad of issues: from counseling issues to hard schedule conflicts, and college applications and planning, to name a few.

“I come to you from the other side of Florida,” she joked with the staff earlier in the school year, when she was first introduced at a staff meeting. By the “other side,” she means central Florida, where she worked as a college recruiter. Although Lakeland does seem like a faraway land, she says her job was and still is helping students find the right college, or with any other counseling needs.  At the time, she was a recruiter for Southeastern University, and although she enjoyed her job, she says the one thing it lacked was completion. “I never got to see how they (students) were doing after that first initial contact,” she explained.

As a college recruiter, she often wondered what it would be like to work for a high school. When that thought entered her head, only two Christian schools came to mind, and Calvary Christian Academy was one of them. “It was my college headmaster, Dr. Tony Bryan, who encouraged me to apply to CCA,” said Stapleton, who prayed about it hard and saw God tugging on her heart to work here. The next thing she knew, she was on her way down to the sunnier side of Florida—Fort Lauderdale.

Already she loves the CCA students and staff, and the sense of community. “Right away I sensed something different about the school,” she said. “What I like most about working here is the freedom to talk about God in the workplace. I plan to work here until God tugs on my heart and leads me elsewhere.”