All I Really Need to Know ...

You may remember a best-selling book by Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.  This book highlighted the "big" lessons of life that every kindergartener learns ... share everything ... play fair ... don't hit people.  The author's premise is that the world would be a better place if we just applied those simple kindergarten lessons.  I came across this YouTube video that creatively summarizes the message of this video.


We had a similar "everything I really need to know" moment at HCA last week during the American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart event at the East Campus. (Photos of this event are included a the end of this post.)  In addition to all the various jumping stations, Mr. Olson had arranged for a teaching station where the children could learn something about the heart from a guest speaker (who happened to be my son Matthew who is in the final days of completing his nursing degree).  Matthew shared the following with me:  To begin his first session with the Kindergarten class, he asked, "What is in your heart?"  The Kindergartners promptly and confidently answered, "GOD!"

I know, the answer kind of makes you smile.  But isn't it great that the first thing our children think of when asked "What is in your heart?" is God!!?  In it's own way, that is a powerful testimony to the ministry of Heritage Christian Academy ... our children understand that what is really important in life begins with our heart.  I couldn't help but think of Solomon's exhortation in Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (NIV)  Aren't you thankful that our students "get it"?

The Passion Awards 2012

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen
Ephesians 3:20-21

This doxology by the Apostle Paul was the theme of the 2012 Passion Awards held at the Kansas City Convention Center on Monday night, November 12th.  The Passion Awards, sponsored by the National Christian Foundation Heartland, is a celebration of God's working in the Kansas City area by demonstrating an "unwavering passion to highlight ministries that are making huge impact for the Kingdom and provide resources for them to make an even larger impact."  On that evening $130,000 was awarded to a dozen different local ministries.

HCA was honored to be able to join Mission Southside in celebrating their award at this event.  Mission Southside was established in early 2011 by Craig Howard (joined a few months later by Steve Friesen) to demonstrate a "neighbor's heart by being a partner with churches, 'helps' organizations, businesses, and individuals to bring help and hope to those in need throughout the Johnson County area by meeting both physical and spiritual needs."  As HCA was itself in its infant stage in the fall of 2010, several HCA moms were meeting with me, praying that God would provide an ongoing local opportunity for outreach into our community.  As we prayed, God seemed to bring our hearts together and, in the spring of 2011, the first HCA students began leading a weekly Bible club in a mobile home neighborhood in Gardner.  The students quickly took "ownership" of this ministry, making sure it continued through the summers, developing new leadership as students graduated, and working closely with Mission Southside in their ongoing ministry.

Because of that close relationship, HCA students had a very special opportunity Monday night ... they had the honor of presenting the Passion Award to Mission Southside!  They had to keep this a secret from Craig and Steve, and they did a great job doing so.  In fact, Steve said he almost fell off the ramp going on stage because the tears in his eyes we hindering his vision.

It was such a joy to be able to be a part of this special night.  This was not only a celebration of God's work through the ministry of Mission Southside, but it was also a celebration of the "passion" of the HCA students (both past, present, and future) who have served faithfully alongside Mission Southside, bringing a message of Christ's love and hope to these children in Gardner.

The "Shema" at HCA

When Jesus was asked asked by the Pharisees to identify the greatest commandment, he referred to the Hebrew Shema from Deuteronomy 6 for the "first" commandment and to Leviticus 19 for the second commandment.  That complete text is our theme in chapel for this year:  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  (Matthew 22:37-39).

This past week I have had the joy to see this second commandment demonstrated in the lives of HCA students.  First, our JrHi girls VB team won their league tournament - Congratulation!  But as excited as I was to hear of their success on the court, I was even more gratified to hear of their testimony off.  I'll let their coach, Cara Fox, describe it for you:

What an incredible group of girls!  I have never coached a team who meshed as well as they did.  They were very hard workers, loved learning about the game and applying it to the way they played.  They energy they had while they played was contagious.  It was really neat to watch each girl offer something to the team.  I was so proud of them at the tournament for several reasons.  First off they played they best they had all season and they beat teams we hadn't ever beaten.  I think the coolest part though was after we won the championship game one of the first things the girls said was "Can we go ask the other team if they want to pray with us?"  It really showed me that those girls sure do have their priorities in line!

I heard later that one of the officials at the game observed that take place and was moved by that spirit.  What a wonderful testimony of the heart of Jesus - loving your neighbor as yourself.

The second example came later in the week.  You will remember that a week ago the East Coast was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.  Many remain without power, life's necessities (food, lodging, gasoline, etc.) remain in short supply, and relief efforts are struggling to keep up.  One of our senior student leaders, Chris Earnshaw, came the office Thursday, burdened by a need do what we can do to show Christ's love to our "neighbors" on the East Cost.  He spent the next 24 hours researching a variety of opportunities to partner with organizations and then, Friday afternoon, I "just happened" to take a call from Heart to Heart International (and Olathe-based international relief organization), asking if we would help with their relief efforts.  Chris was next door talking with Rick Lukianuk and, within a few minutes, a plan was formed.  The HCA family will be collecting items over the next five days to help fill care kits for Heart to Heart. (The said their have a critical need for handtowels, shampoo, and combs.)  On Saturday, a group of HCA seniors is planning to go to the Heart to Heart warehouse in Kansas City to deliver our collected supplies and help assemble care packets.   Loving your neighbor as yourself.

It is so gratifying to see that Jesus' words in Matthew 22 are not just a theme ... they are coming alive in our students' lives!