M
the Manna | March 2012
n o i t a c u Ed
Training students spiritually, academically, and physically to know and to do God’s will. Christ-centered education Highest SAT scores in Sussex County Highest college acceptances in Sussex County iLearn (Individualized Learning Program) Sports for homeschool students International Student Program 1:1 iPad Program
delmarvachristian.com
302.856.4040
21150 Airport Road • Georgetown • Delaware • 19947
M
the Manna | March 2012
Columns 07 | Signals 09 | On the Air
Features
26 | No Computer Skills Necessary Are children being prepared for real life?
29 | If I Die Young
The value in numbering our days.
31 | What’s That?
12 | Learning For the Love of God
Never cease to marvel.
Education is more than learning the three Rs.
34 | Who Was St. Patrick?
14 | That’s What The Pastor Said Developing a godly stance beyond church.
19 | Featured Schools
Separating myth from the man.
38 | Perhaps Everything is purely coincidental...right?
Learn more about selected schools in the area.
Extras
24 | School Chart
10 | Go Out 37 | Unfiltered
Education choices at-a-glance.
Stay in Touch
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
3
Howard Miller | Temple Furniture | La-Z-Boy | Sealy
Imagine You’re Bridgeville, DE
ScottsFurniture.com
Clearance 50-75% off
the entire in-stock Ty Pennington Collection
Home
80th
Anniversary Celebration
• Guaranteed Lowest Prices on La-Z-Boy Recliners • Rollback Prices • Huge Discounts
Barb’s Barb’s offers a wide selection of Christian Expressions inspirational cards and inspirational gifts! Don’t wait to find something special for the ones you love. 410-543-0338
or
410-749-2869
The Twilley Center and the Waverly Plaza in Salisbury
2531 North Salisbury Blvd.
We are your premier source of new and used Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles!
Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Chevrolet Silverado Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Sales - 410-713-4640 Service - 410-713-4646 www.salisburychevycadillac.com
Chevrolet Cruze
M
the Manna | A Publication of Maranatha, Inc. Editor-In-Chief: Debbie Byrd Creative Director: Joe Willey Contributing Writers: Phil Bohaker, Keyanna Butts, Josh Millwood, Brittney Switala, B.A. Timmons & Karen Tull Media Client Liaisons: Janet Beckett, Lee Oxford & Randall Stapleton
Frequently Asked Questions Who We Are The Manna is published by Maranatha, Inc., a Christcentered ministry called to proclaim the Good News of faith and life in Jesus Christ through various forms of media, as God directs, until He returns. “Maranatha” (mer-a-nath´-a) is an Aramaic word found in I Corinthians 16:22. It is translated, “Our Lord, come!” Joy! 102.5 WOLC is also part of Maranatha, Inc. Its call letters stand for “Watch, Our Lord Cometh.” Maranatha!
Disclaimer Non-ministry advertisers are not required to subscribe to the “Statement of Faith” printed at right; nor are their businesses and products necessarily endorsed by the Manna, Joy! 102.5 WOLC, or Maranatha, Inc., whose viewpoints are not necessarily represented by the opinions or statements of persons interviewed in this magazine; nor are the viewpoints of its advertisers.
Statement of Faith We Believe… that the Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible and authoritative source of Christian doctrine and precept; that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that the only hope for man is to believe in Jesus Christ, the virgin-born Son of God, who died to take upon Himself the punishment for the sin of mankind, and who rose from the dead so that by receiving Him as Savior and Lord, man is redeemed by His blood; that Jesus Christ in person will return to Earth in power and glory; that the Holy Spirit indwells those who have received Christ, for the purpose of enabling them to live righteous and godly lives; and that the Church is the Body of Christ and is comprised of all those who, through belief in Christ, have been spiritually regenerated by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The twin mission of the Church is worldwide evangelization, and nurture and discipline of Christians.
Manna and Joy! 102.5 WOLC P. O. Box 130, Princess Anne, MD 21853 Voice: 410-543-9652 Fax: 410-651-9652 Manna e-mail: manna@wolc.org Joy! 102.5 e-mail: wolc@wolc.org ©2012 Maranatha, Inc. May not be reproduced without written consent of Maranatha, Inc. Photos: iStockphoto and Thinkstock
Maranatha Media | Home of Joy! 102.5 and the Manna
Signals Milestone This education issue is a milestone for the Manna. Twice recognized as the Christian Newspaper of the Year, the decision to go digital was made in 2010. A print newspaper for more than two decades, there was a desire to “go magazine” but the costs were prohibitive—and the cost of continuing as a newspaper, in a culture of dying newspapers, was equally prohibitive. Now, after a two year rest from print—but still available on-line—the Manna goes magazine format with this issue! Special thanks are extended to Joe Willey, our Creative Director, for his significant contributions to getting us this far! He’s developed the Manna into a nationally award-winning publication— and has now tackled the magazine format single-handedly! Lacking the army of volunteers and myriad distribution locations once utilized, the Manna magazine will now be available on a quarterly basis either by subscription or in the businesses of most of our advertisers. The Manna will also continue to be available as a webzine and available on-line or by e-subscription. The mailed subscription costs only $12 to cover the cost of postage. The e-subscription and online webzine is free! When picking up a Manna in one of the many businesses in our region, please take the time to thank that business for making the Manna available! Their advertising investment is critical to the continuation of the Manna ministry and Maranatha is deeply grateful to each of them! The quarterly magazine will be a “best of” the preceding three digital issues. There is no doubt that you will find the content and design compelling—so much
so that you will want to save a copy or pass it along to a friend! This issue’s primary focus is education—the choices, the commitment, the value. But let’s consider the broader sense of education as it applies to living life. In this issue, Phil Bohaker contemplates knowledge as it applies to our relationship with God; Brittney Switala considers life skills education versus scholarly education; and Josh Millwood focuses on the wonder and excitement of all that surrounds us—the passion for learning about whatever excites each of us. Keyanna Butts provides a thought provoking perspective regarding the source of our knowledge and Karen Tull looks at the ultimate purpose and application of knowledge. As culture and technology change, each of us is faced, in our own unique situations, with the choice to continue to learn and adapt—or to stop learning and stagnate. Whether we experience this in an individual sense or in a group or as a business—these changes require that we learn or relearn in order to keep pace—or be left behind. It’s a life process that we might see as new and unique to ourselves and our age, but in fact, it’s a process that has been in place, sometimes at a slower pace, since the beginning of time. The one constant is that God is at the center of it all and it is He that enables and equips us to press on! Debbie Byrd is General Manager of Maranatha, Inc., a ministry that includes Joy! 102.5 and the Manna.
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
7
HUGE SELECTION OF GM
CERTIFIED USED VEHICLES You always get our best price first. Click to see our selection of NEW vehicles now! Click to see our selection of USED vehicles now!
2012 Buick Verano
2016 N. Salisbury Blvd. Showroom: M-F 9 am to 8 pm • Sat. 9 am to 4 pm Service Hours: M-F 7 am to 6 pm • Sat. 8 am to 1 pm
1-800-894-7339 | 410-742-1106 pricebuickgmc.com
On the Air Collision MercyMe has just released the brand new single “The Hurt & The Healer” from their upcoming album of the same title. Recently, we had a chance to hear from lead vocalist Bart Millard about the backstory to this new music: “The song specifically came out of the time this past year where one of my cousins—a firefighter—was killed in the line of duty. It was devastating—he was like a brother to me. I had the opportunity to stand at the funeral and speak to the 3,000 firefighters there from all over the country. I’ve talked in front of many people in my life, but it was pretty surreal to tell them how God was bigger than that. I kept finding myself going back to Ecclesiastes 7, which says how it’s better to be in the house of mourning than at the birth of a child. I was confused by that until I realized that everything feels hopeful when you have a child. But at a funeral, you understand what’s crucial and vital. It makes you want to be a better husband and father because you don’t know when it will all end. And you walk away with more life in you because you’re thinking on things that really matter. The sad part is, a lot of us have to go through these devastating moments to get to an absolute collision with the Healer and realize who we’re supposed
to be. That’s where the song comes from. We have all these questions, but the truth is, the hurt would still be there. Having it all explained to us is not the source of our healing.” Bart goes on to say that this project comes from years of going through difficult seasons. And, at a point where it all seemed to be coming to a head, the Lord laid something totally new on his heart. “The Hurt & The Healer” is a celebration of that moment when two worlds collide: the deep need for healing and the God who provides it. Every day the hurt and the Healer collide, It’s that moment when humanity is overcome by majesty, When grace is ushered in for good and all our scars are understood, When mercy takes its rightful place and all these questions fade away, and out of weakness we must bow and hear You say “I’m alive.”
Listen for the new single playing now on Joy! 102.5. MercyMe’s album is scheduled to release in early May. Rodney Baylous is Program Director of Joy! 102.5. Visit www.wolc.org.
Listen Now! Check out our Program Guide at wolc.org
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
9
E W
N
Go Out
It’s A Big World
Gettysburg Festival Sock Hop 3/3 | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania www.gettysburgfestival.org Kick off your shoes & kick the winter blues. Enjoy a fun evening of dinner and dancing, 50’s and 60’s style.
Camp Maitres Tambour Afric 3/15 - 3/18 | Brooksville, Florida www.cmtafric.weebly.com Provides a unique opportunity to study African Drum and Dance, culture and traditions with over 25 African Drum and Dance Masters.
Florida Strawberry Festival 3/1 - 3/11 | Plant City, Florida www.flstrawberryfestival.com A celebration of strawberries that dates back to 1930 in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Top country music acts, rides, contests and agriculture shows are just some of the highlights. Maranatha Media | Home of Joy! 102.5 and the Manna
Blue Ridge Writers Conference 3/30 - 3/31 | Blue Ridge, Georgia http://blueridgearts.net Writers can learn how to hone their skills and expand their markets, as well as enjoy numerous special guest speakers
The Art of ChocolateVirginia Chocolate Festival 3/24 | Norfolk, Virginia | www.vafest.org/chocolate The Art Of Chocolate - The Virginia Chocolate Festival is a chocoholics dream. Celebrate all things chocolate from confections to cocktails, cuisine and more. Enjoy chocolate sampling, exhibitions, demonstrations and more!
Festival of Balloons 3/25 | Dallas, Texas www.festivalofballoons.eventbrite.com Held in conjunction with the World Balloon Convention (WBC), the Festival of Balloons is a fun, family event that exposes the public to amazing, never-before-seen balloon art created by artists from all over the world. wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
11
Learning for the Love of God By Phil Bohaker
I
n The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis famously rebuked the authors of a recently published English textbook for their moral relativism. The authors argued, in effect, that value judgments are not really indicative of truth or reality. Rather, they simply reveal the internal feelings of the person making the judgment. In other words, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and nothing more. C.S. Lewis was troubled by this cultural drift toward the abandonment of claims to absolute truth. He foresaw impending disaster for a society whose conscience does not allow for clear moral judgments about what is right and what is wrong. Sound familiar? Lewis’s warning is equally applicable to our postmodern culture today. Sixty years after Lewis penned his critique, we are seeing his warning increasingly realized in our culture. I have no intention of boring you with a treatise on postmodernism. However, Lewis has illustrated an important lesson about how we view education. The underlying assumptions, values, and experiences that shape our outlook on life will have far-reaching implications on our understanding of the purpose of education and the methods we employ. To put it another way, our approach to education is largely a product of our worldview, the framework through which we interpret reality around us. Viewed this way, education becomes far more than making sure our children have mastered the three Rs. Understandably, education is a major theme in Scripture. The Bible describes education as a means by which we gain knowledge of God and His creation, which in turn should lead us to deeper worship of God. Jesus commanded us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” God’s will for each of us is to grow in knowledge, but not for self-promotion or power or vanity. He desires that, as we grow in the knowledge of His character and His works, it would fuel our love for Him. Peter states that God has given us everything we need to live a godly life “through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Pet 1:3). Clearly, knowledge is important to God. As John Piper remarks, “Not that knowing guarantees godliness! It doesn’t. But it seems that ignorance guarantees ungodliness. Because, Peter says, the divine power that leads to godliness is given through the knowledge of God.” The truth is that God is both the primary subject and primary object in a biblical model of education. He is the subject
in the sense that the process of education should be a spiritual endeavor, guided by the Holy Spirit. He is the object of education in that through education we learn about who God is and what He has done. If God is the “beginning and the end” of all things (Rev 21:6, 13), then He is so in education as much as in any other pursuit in life. That conclusion is as true for the study of the “secular” as it is for a study of the “sacred.” When a geneticist studies the intricacies of the human genome, she is a witness to the complex balance and order of God’s creation. When a high schooler reads about the Holocaust for a history class, the reality of fallen humanity at its worst serves as a commentary on the universal need for redemption. In this way, everything we learn in life somehow relates to God. My wife and I have two children, a two-and-a-half year-old and a one-year-old, with a third on the way. Sixth months from now we will find ourselves parenting three kids under three years old. What this means, aside from the question of our sanity, is that we will have to make schooling decisions for our children within the span of a few years. The more I consider my own goals for the education of our children, the more I realize these goals transfer to whichever mode we choose. Whether we choose home school, public school, or private school, I want their education to be a worshipful experience. I want them to grow in their knowledge of God and the world He has created. Above all, I want them to love God more as they learn. And this is where I find the notion of worldview so important. I want to help shape and mold the worldviews of my children, to walk with them as they craft the lenses through which they see the world. This can be done in any educational setting. My children will encounter a wide spectrum of ideas in their lives. While they are young I can shield them, to some extent, from influences I deem dangerous. But someday they will be adults, and they will choose their sources of information for themselves. My hope and prayer is that they, like a gold miner sifting out the dirt and gravel in search of the precious metal, will navigate this “information age” by clinging to those precious truths God has revealed in His Word and the truth about Himself that is imprinted on creation. And that is my prayer for all parents seeking to instill their children with a Christ-centered view of education.
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
13
A Higher Level of Care Care HealthSouth i oRehabilitation n Hospital Hospital
That’s What the Pastor Said
A Higher Level of Care HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
A Higher Level of Care HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital It could happen to you -- an unexpected illness or injury that requires a lengthy recuperation. Like anyone, you want to get the best care and get back to the quality of lifehappen you’vetocome It could you --toanenjoy. unexpected illness So, what are your or injury thatoptions? requires a lengthy recuperation.
are n Hospital
Like anyone, you want to get the best care and get
HealthSouth offers the opportunity backpatients to the quality of life you’vetocome to enjoy. So, what are your options? recuperate and rehabilitate at HealthSouth’s HealthSouth’s Inpatient inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Chesapeake. H i g h eRehabilitation r L e v e l HealthSouth o f C a r Hospital e offers patients to inthe opportunity Our multidisciplinary team approach is designed to t h R e ah far a b more i l i t aconcentrated t i o n H and o ssetting prehabilitate i t a lwith atmore recuperate provide Salisbury, MD proudly offers HealthSouth’s rehabilitation hospital in Chesapeake. aggressive therapyinpatient and nursing than other post patients the most care advanced Our multidisciplinary team approach is designed to acute settings such as skilled nursing facilities or technology in the goal of setting with more provide a far more concentrated nursing pected illness homes. And our state-of-the-art technology aggressive therapy and nursing care than other post recovery and recuperation. recuperation. offers patients the latest advancements, providing est care and get acute settings such as skilled nursing facilities or come to enjoy. Our multi-disciplinary a higher level of nursing care forhomes. stroke,And brain spinal technology ons? our injury, state-of-the-art approach isneurological designed to cord injury, trauma, diagnoses offers patients the latest advancements, providing opportunity to HealthSouth’s incorporate a far more anda orthopedic higher level injuries. of care for stroke, brain injury, spinal n Chesapeake. ch is designed to Itaggressive all adds up tocord getting you better, faster. injury, trauma, neurological diagnoses therapy program etting with more and orthopedic injuries. along with comprehensive It all of adds up to you getting you better, faster. the higher level care deserve.
e than other post sing facilities or e-art technology ments, providing ain injury, spinal al diagnoses es. etter, faster.
Get
nursing in comparison to other care Get post-acute the higher level of care you deserve. providersCall such as skilled HealthSouth at 410 546-6400. you deserve. nursing homes. HealthSouth Chesapeake Rehabilitation 546-6400. Call HealthSouth at 410 546-6400.
tal has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™
©2010:HealthSouth:441521 HealthSouth Chesapeake Rehabilitation Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™
Care
y, MD 21804
A Higher Level of Care A Higher Level of Care
e.com
220 Tilghman Road • Salisbury, MD 21804 410 220 546-4600 Tilghman Road • Salisbury, MD 21804 ©2010:HealthSouth:441521
410 546-4600 healthsouthchesapeake.com
healthsouthchesapeake.com
By Keyanna Butts
“W
hat did you learn in school today?” is one of the most frequently asked questions of a child. I remember being asked that every day when I came home from school. It never failed. Before I could even take off my book bag, my mom would greet me at the front door with a loving hug, a “How was your day?”, and the infamous question: “What did you learn today?” I recently asked a fifth-grader that question, more so out of habit than actual curiosity. His response was eye-opening. He began to explain that in science class he was learning about the earth and how life was formed. “I can’t remember what it’s called,” he said, “but basically monkeys grew up into humans.” Evolution. I proceeded to ask him if he thought that was how we were created. To my relief, he shook his head “no.” “We were created by God,” he said. Wanting to test the depths of his knowledge, I asked him how he knew that was ©2010:HealthSouth:441521
©2010:HealthSouth:441521
©2010:HealthSouth:441521
true. “Because that’s what the pastor said,” he replied. His response struck a cord in my spirit. Most Christians would be thrilled to hear a child denounce the theory of evolution and proclaim creationism. It was a proud moment. But his reasoning concerned me. It was apparent that he had no real understanding of what he was professing. He simply believed it because that’s what he had been taught by his pastor. And rightly so. But is the pastor’s word enough? What will happen in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade when they look more deeply into the theory of evolution, when he is required to take tests and write research papers on the subject matter? And not just in science class. In health education he will learn about human sexuality and practices contrary to biblical principles. For the next several years, six hours a day, five days a week, fictitious “facts” will be presented as acceptable truths. Then will the pastor’s word be enough to sustain his belief? Personally speaking, learning ideals
that contradicted the Bible was immensely confusing for me when I was in school. The two-hour Bible study lesson and one-hour Sunday sermon could not contend with the anti-Christian ideals that were being indoctrinated five days a week in the classroom. Like the fifth-grader, I knew that God created us. I knew that marriage was intended for a man and a woman. I knew that having sex before marriage was a sin. I knew this because that’s what the pastor said and that’s what my parents reinforced, per the Bible. But the imbalance between the secular teaching and my biblical knowledge made it hard for me to defend my godly stance. Although I could tell you right from wrong and true from false, I could not provide specific biblical references and substantial biblical evidence to support my notion. So, like the fifth-grader, my claims were left defenseless. Since my school years, secular teachings have increased. Now, it is more vital than ever for parents to instill biblical training in their child—at home. I’m not talking
about memorizing and reciting Bible verses (although that can be part of it), but creating a biblical syllabus that parallels the classroom curriculum. Too often was I learning and quoting Bible verses that had nothing to do with the topics that gave me contention in school. If evolution is the subject matter at school, let Genesis be the subject matter at home. Provide your child with the biblical references, facts, and evidence that can be used to support/refute the textbook and resolve ideological confusion. Biblically, it’s the parents’ duty to educate their child. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The Bible also teaches us that people perish from lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). So despite busy schedules and afterschool activities, it is essential to find the time to institute at-home Bible training. It will ensure that key Christian precepts are founded on more than just what the pastor said.
Behind the Mall Salisbury, MD 410.749.4561 Rt.1, Rehoboth Beach, DE 302.644.7463 www.vpshoes.com Let the trained staff at Vernon Powell Shoes help you create a special moment, for you or a loved one, with PANDORA jewelry.
Excellence in Everything, Everything Through Him Partnering with parents in equipping
students academically, spiritually and physically to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives while reflecting the character of Christ in all we do.
14511 Sycamore Rd. Laurel, Delaware (302) 875-4488 www.epworthchristianschool.org
St. Andrew’s Montessori School
NEW PRE-SCHOOL Opening August 2012 Schedule your tour today. Enrollment is now open and space is limited.
410-651-2882 28337 Mt. Vernon Rd. in Mt. Vernon, Maryland
www.StAndrewsMontessori.org
Kid’s
Kingdom Offering programs from infancy to school age children, Kid’s Kingdom is committed to going the extra mile in educational training!
208 Tilghman Road, Salisbury, MD 410-546-5464 HGCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality or ethnic origin.
Offer valid through 6.30.12
$50
OFF
d Accredite
Association by Middle States hools Sc of Colleges and
Now accepting 2012/2013 applications
APPLICATION FEE
✔ Affordable Tuition, Pre-K4–12th grade ✔ 95% of our graduates attend college ✔ Over $1,600,000 in scholarhips offered to the class of 2011
OPEN HOUSE
Come see us March 15th, 9am to 2pm 7317 Mennonite Church Rd., Westover, MD 410.957.0222
✔ 6 buses servicing Fruitland, MD to Parksley, VA with points in between
hgcsweb.com
1511 Townfield Drive | Cape Charles, Virginia (757) 331-3063 | www.cherrystoneva.com
Cherrystone is situated on 300 acres of natural waterfront on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, and has just about everything you need for a great vacation. Whether you come by R.V., bring a camper or stay in one of our deluxe cottages, camping cabins or rental trailers, we’re sure you’ll find us accommodating.
Join us
Milford Christian School A Ministry of First Baptist Church of Milford 6062 Old Shawnee Road Milford, Delaware
Educating For Eternity
Founded – 1975
• Preschool – 12th • A-Beka & A.C.E. Curriculum • Accelerated Academic Program • Strong Christian Emphasis • Sports Program (Grades 7 – 12) • Before & After School Care • All Ethnic Backgrounds Welcome
302-422-4263
firstbaptistofmilford.com
Featured Schools Delmarva Christian High School Delmarva Christian High School in Georgetown, Delaware, is dedicated to training students spiritually, academically, and physically to know and to do God’s will for their lives. Enjoying its eighth year, DCHS students are earning the highest SAT scores and college acceptance rates in Sussex County. In 2011, student learning was enhanced with the implementation of several new initiatives to include the 1:1 iPad program and iLearn, an individualized learning program. These programs enable DCHS students to customize their learning experiences and the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. Excellence is also found on the playing fields. DCHS athletes have earned Diamond State Athletic and Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championships along with individual Delaware State champions in track. As of January 2012, homeschool students may now participate in DIAA sports by coming under the DCHS homeschool umbrella. DCHS students have accumulated thousands of hours of service to the community. Outreach extends to the local community and beyond, including inner-city ministries in Chattanooga and Baltimore, and mission ministries in Germany, Israel, Jamaica, and Mexico. DCHS is dually accredited by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States, and the Association of Christian Schools International.
Epworth Christian School Epworth Christian School offers academically and spiritually-enriching programs for students in Pre-K – 8. Our instruction is Christ-centered, standards-based and student-focused. ECS also offers technology instruction, art, music, physical education, and more. The mission of Epworth Christian School is to partner with parents in equipping children academically and spiritually, to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives, while reflecting the character of Christ in all we do. Our vision is that a strong faith in God will be foundational within each child, and will anchor and navigate them through each stage of their development here at ECS and through all of life. The curriculum used at ECS is biblically integrated and academically aggressive, preparing students to transition into high school after completion of 8th grade. All curricula utilizes
teaching strategies and techniques that differentiate instruction for the student. The use of technology is also integrated into content areas through the use of interactive SMART boards, laptops, and projectors. Epworth Christian School is also proud to be the home of “Little Paws Daycare.” Little Paws is a year-round daycare that accepts children six weeks to four years of age. Please visit our website at epworthchristianschool.org or call us at 302-875-4488 for more details.
Holly Grove Christian School Holly Grove Christian School (HGCS), located in Somerset County, Maryland, was established in 1976 and occupies over 50,000 square feet of classroom and eight acres of athletic fields. Holly Grove is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International. We serve families and students in grades Pre-K through 12th grade. Bus service is available from Princess Anne, Crisfield, and Fruitland in Maryland, as well as Parksley and Chincoteague in Virginia. The Lord has richly blessed HGCS with a staff of over 50 dedicated teachers and professionals who inspire and encourage. Offering a college preparatory curriculum, graduates have been accepted at the Naval Academy, Liberty University, Messiah College, Virginia Tech, New York University, Georgetown University, University of Maryland College Park, Clearwater Christian College, Salisbury University, and Washington College. JV and varsity teams compete in field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, and track. Our award-winning Honors Choir and Children’s Choir have presented the Gospel in song throughout the region. Each spring, the Honors Choir travels as a ministry team on their Spring Tour. “Excellence in Christ-Centered Academics”—that’s HGCS. Applications are accepted year-round; call Robin today at 410957-0222 or visit our website at www.hgcsweb.com.
Kid’s Kingdom Offering programs from infancy to school-age children, Kid’s Kingdom is committed to going the extra mile to love and nurture, while providing educational training through
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
19
Continued from page 19
Living Hope School of Ministry
developmentally appropriate activities. Our staff and professionals are dedicated to promoting the developmental growth of each child. All faculty are required to complete the Healthy Beginning Program training, to better equip them to implement appropriate programmatic and thematic activities based on developmental indicators that monitor on-going growth and development. Starting as young as six weeks of age, your child will learn Sign Language, Spanish, and English as part of our Language Development Program. Additional academic opportunities include special programs in Reading and Math readiness, Bible, Music, Art, and Physical Education. The Beyond the Gold, Mega Sports Summer Camp incorporates sports and fine arts for a fun, yet educational experience for school-age children, while teaching skills for teamwork from the playbook of God’s Word. Kid’s Kingdom is an outreach program of the Tilghman Road Church of God of Prophecy. Keeping tuition low while maintaining a high-quality program is our goal. If you are looking for quality, affordable child care, please give us a call at 410-546-5464 and schedule a tour, or drop in to see us in action Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“Reflecting the Life of the Cross” Living Hope School of Ministry exists to be a Pentecostal Ministry Training Center. It began as part of a vision given to Living Hope Ministries of the Eastern Shore Pastor M. LeBron Palmer to reach the Eastern Shore with the Pentecostal message. Classes began in the fall of 2011, utilizing curriculum from Christian Leadership University headed by Dr. Mark Virkler. The initial course offering was “Communion with God” which enlightened the students to the realities of hearing God’s voice in today’s world. LHSOM is presently in its second class of the Winter Session entitled “Counseled by God.” Classes are held on Monday nights only from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at 1101 West Main Street in Crisfield, Maryland. While there is an emphasis on academics, the primary goal of the school is to equip believers to be effective in Pentecostal ministries. Although LHSOM is in its infancy stages, its goals are lofty, and founder and president M. LeBron Palmer envisions a day when its graduates will be among the leading pastors, teachers, and worship leaders in the region. For information regarding future classes and schedules, please call 410-968-1488.
The King’s Christian Academy Excellence in Education. Christ-like in Character The King’s Christian Academy, located in Callaway, Maryland, is a Christ-centered, college preparatory school for students in the Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grades. It exists to help parents and churches educate their children in truth and righteousness. Fully accredited, KCA offers a dynamic combination of classical education, Christian worldview, and outstanding preparation for college. Known for its academic excellence, KCA offers a myriad of educational options, in addition to core subjects, including STEM, robotics, foreign language, honors classes, Bible, technology, fine arts, and a home-school partnership program. In the area of Athletics, KCA offers track and field, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading. KCA’s fine arts program includes the Voice of Hope Choir, a lower school and middle school band, a drama and musical theater program, and the Ultimate Reality Praise Team. Other student organizations include Robotics, Yearbook, National Honor Society, Home Economics, Newspaper Staff, and Student Government. Additional highlights are field trips, high school retreats, and community service opportunities. KCA also offers a new and exciting summer camp program with more than 50 camps for children ages 4-15! For further information, please view KCA online at www. kcacademy.net or call 301-994-3080.
Lighthouse Christian School Lighthouse Christian School (LCS), located in Dagsboro, Delaware, is now in its 14th year of educational schooling. Its Christ-centered instruction is open for Pre-K through 8th grade. Each classroom, on average, is filled with about 15 students. God has blessed LCS with a faculty of professionals, degreed in their fields and working in their gifted areas of strength. LCS offers hands-on learning for the enjoyment of threeand four-year-old students attending the Pre-K Program. The K-8th grade curriculum includes A-Beka, Bob Jones, 6+1 Traits of Writing, and Foss & Delta Science Modules. In addition to the core subject areas, a wide variety of elective and special classes are offered. They include but are not limited to: computer, drama, card ministry, art, Spanish, physical education, ping pong, photography, gardening, carpentry, and chess. Our chess team travels and competes out of state. Newly added this year to LCS is the music program, which consists of guitar, woodwind, brass, and music theory classes. Also, a sports program is available to 5th – 8th graders who are interested in playing baseball, softball, basketball, flag football, soccer, and track. To schedule a tour, contact LCS at 302-732-3309 or visit the website at www.lighthousechristianschool.com for more information.
Milford Christian School Milford Christian School (MCS) was established as a miniswolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
21
Continued from page 21
try of the First Baptist Church of Milford in 1973 to serve as an educational outreach to Christian families in the Milford area. Many families want to reinforce their Christian values in an educational setting. The school’s mission statement is “Educating for Eternity.” All students (and their parents) are carefully screened through an interview process prior to acceptance into the school. Included in MCS are pre-school students, beginning at three-years-old, through 12th grade. The A-Beka curriculum is used throughout the school and supplemented in some areas with individualized studies. The Bible is taught at every level, and students beginning in the first grade attend chapel at least once a week. As a member of the Delaware Association of Christian Schools, MCS participates in fine arts, Bible, academic, and sports competition with other schools. This challenges and encourages students to excel in these areas. High school students can earn the privilege of representing Delaware in the national competition of the American Association of Christian Schools. National Achievement testing is done every year, beginning in Kindergarten. Other programs include a computer lab, art, and music (for elementary and secondary students) and sports (beginning for students in the sixth grade). The campus includes a gym and athletic field. MCS is located just one half-mile from Route 113 at 6062 Old Shawnee Road in Milford, making it convenient for working parents. Before- and after-school care is also available. For information, please call 302-422-4263 or send an email requesting information to milfordchristian@verizon.net. An information packet needs to be reviewed prior to scheduling an interview appointment.
at 410-546-0661 for more information or to schedule a tour or a “shadow day” for your student. Connect with SCS online at www.salisburychristian.org, http://facebook.com/SalisburyChristian, and http://twitter.com/ sbychristiansch. Salisbury Christian School: Educating Delmarva’s Children for Eternity!
Seaside Christian Academy The standard for a child of any Christian parent should be both a relationship with Jesus Christ and a quality academic education. Christian schools exist to reinforce, provide, and uphold this standard. You should not have to choose between the two. At SCA, we teach with the conviction that God and the founding fathers knew what they were doing and the type of educational system needed to raise up and maintain a Christian nation. We are committed to honoring God’s spirit and the spirit of the founding fathers by establishing and providing an excellent academic education based upon the scriptures and knowing Jesus Christ. We believe our greatest asset is the very special faculty that God has given us at SCA. Our teachers are dedicated servants of God, highly qualified, and deeply committed to teaching and caring for each student. Our calling is to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus, “to disciple all people.” To fulfill that calling, we pour ourselves into each student who enrolls at Seaside Christian Academy. We encourage families to simply come and visit us. Experience first-hand the atmosphere of love and excellence that permeates our facilities.
Salisbury Christian School Dually accredited, Salisbury Christian School (SCS) offers a comprehensive educational program founded upon biblical truth and academic excellence. Since its establishment in 1966, SCS has brought this mission to life in the lives of students on Delmarva! The 20-acre campus houses Founders Hall, Auld Annex, and the 60,000 square foot Nehemiah Center. The Nehemiah Center features a beautiful hardwood floor (full-size) gymnasium with a stage suitable for concerts and drama presentations. It has state-of-the-art computer and science labs, spacious classrooms, and administrative offices. SCS offers accelerated academic programs, dual enrollment courses with Wor-Wic, and many advanced placement courses for college credit. Graduates have been accepted by nationallyrecognized colleges and universities. The athletic choices at SCS abound, including soccer, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, golf, baseball, and softball. Other enrichment activities offered to SCS students include band, chorus, art, drama, student government, and a host of clubs. Come and experience the difference! Apply now for the 2012-2013 school year. Call registrar, Mrs. Daryl Ann Hudson,
YMCA The Mid-Shore Family YMCA located in Salisbury teaches a 4th Grade Water Safety Program that serves almost 1,000 children annually. That means EVERY 4th grader in the Wicomico County Public School System comes to the Y to learn about water safety. At one time, this program used to be two weeks long; however, due to Wicomico County Board of Education budget constraints, it has been shortened. The Y offers this program at no charge to the county because the need is so important. Children are taught basic swimming skills, what to do if a boat tips over, and how to reach and assist to save another person from drowning. These very basic skills are so valuable, considering the land we all live on is surrounded by water on three sides. This program is just one of the ways the Y gives back to the communities they serve. Another way is the Financial Assistance Program, which ensures that no family, child, or individual is ever turned away from Y programs due to their inability to pay. And, in these tough economic times, it’s comforting to know there is an organization giving back and providing a way for all to play. wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
23
A Guide to Education School Name
Enroll.
Class Size
Grades
Principal
Church Affiliation
Central Baptist Academy Onley, Virginia Central Delaware Christian Academy Dover, Delaware Chesapeake Christian School Easton, Maryland Crisfield Christian Academy Crisfield, Maryland Delmarva Christian High School Georgetown, Delaware Epworth Christian School Laurel, Delaware Faith Baptist School Salisbury, Maryland Greenwood Mennonite School Greenwood, Delaware Holly Grove Christian School Westover, Maryland Impact Child Development Ctr. Fruitland, Maryland Lighthouse Christian Childcare Hebron, Maryland Lighthouse Christian School Dagsboro, Delaware Open Bible Academy Cambridge, Maryland Rainbow Daycare and Preschool Seaford, Delaware Salisbury Baptist Academy Salisbury, Maryland Salisbury Christian School Salisbury, Maryland Seaside Christian Academy Ocean City, Maryland St. Luke’s School St. Michaels, Maryland Wesleyan Christian School Denton, Maryland
39
Varies
K( 5) - 12th
Starr Krumm
Baptist
75
8-12
Pre-K (3) - 8th
Robert Draper
Non-Denominational
136
14
K (4) - 12th
Debbie Whitter
Easton Church of God
12
12
1st - 12th
William Tull
Crisfield Church of God
180
13
9th - 12th
W. Scott Kemerling
Nondenominational
150
14
Pre-K (3) - 8th
Jim Berger
Central Worship Center
112
20
Pre-K (2) - 12th
Ron A. Rice
Faith Baptist Church
200
15
Pre-K (4) - 12th
Duane Miller
Mennonite
489
25
Pre-K (4) - 12th
Mike Rohrer
Non-Denominational
27
Varies by age
Ages 2 - 6
Impact Church of Fruitland
75
10
Ages 6 wks. - 8
Mary Ellen Briggs (Director) Teresa Hathway
130
15-20
Pre-K (3) - 8th
Terri Menoche
Dagsboro Church of God
75
10-14
Pre-K (4) - 12th
Steve Bloodsworth
Open Bible Church
69
Varies
Ages 1 - 12
Jennifer Moore
Seaford Wesleyan Church
47
15 or less
K - 12th
Pastor Carlo Leto
Baptist
580
8-24
Pre-K (3) - 12th
James T. Fox
Independent
Varies
8-12
Pre-K (3) - 8th
JoAnna Evans
Non-Denominational
28
12
Ages 2 - 4
Leslie Stern
St. Luke’s United Methodist
140
Varies
Pre-K (3) - 8th
Jackie Conn
Wesleyan
Maranatha Media | Home of Joy! 102.5 and the Manna
None
2012 Annual Tuition
Phone Number
$2,500
Financial Aid After- Curriculum school Care No No A-Beka
$2,009- 2,900
Limited
Yes
A-Beka
302-697-8407
$4,200
No
Yes
A-Beka
410-822-7600
$2,200
No
No
Accelerated Christian Education
410-968-1508
$7,300
Yes
No
College Preparatory, iLearn, Christ-centered
302-856-4040
$4,991 - 5,195
Yes
Yes
N/A
302-875-4488
$3,619
No
Yes
410-742-9516
$4,100
Yes
Yes
Saxon Math, BJU Press, A-Beka, Positive Action for Christ Mixed
$4,092 (discount for additonal students) $130/week (2-Year olds) $120/week (3-year olds) $6,500 - 9,100
Yes
No
Various
410-957-0222
Accepts POC
Yes
Age Appropriate Pre-School Activities
410-543-1129
No
Yes
A-Beka
410-543-0888
$3,600
Yes
Yes
A-Beka, Bob Jones, Foss, Positive Action
302-732-3309
$2,500
No
Yes
Accelerated Christian Education
410-228-4488
$5,200 - 5,720
Accepts POC
Yes
A-Beka
302-628-1020
$2,460
No
Yes
A-Beka, Bob Jones, Saxon Math
410-546-4455
$1,827 - 5,178 (Pre K) $5,794 - 6,144 (Elem. - H.S.)
Yes
Yes
Variety of Publishers with Emphasis on Biblical Integration
410-546-0661
$4, 350 - 4, 550
Yes
No
A-Beka, Bob Jones
410-213-7595
$1,200 - 1,875
Yes
No
N/A
410-745-2534
N/A
N/A
Yes
A-Beka,
410-479-2292
757-787-7148
302-349-4131
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
25
No
R
esearch Assignment 1992: “Find out all you can about the blue whale.” A research project meant looking up books on a subject on the one computer in the library. If the books I needed were available—great. If someone else had already checked them out, I would simply go back to my dorm room and hang out with my friends. What freedom. I could not do the project, plain and simple. I had to start weeks early on my research and then type up the paper on my state-of-the-art word processor. Printing took seven minutes per page! Research Assignment 2012: “Find out all you can about the blue whale.” Google gives me 7,700,000 results in .16 seconds. Where do I begin? When will I know when I’m finished with my research? There are mp3s of whale songs and videos of whales in action, plus pages for organizations whose goal it is to protect the marine mammal. The research process sucks me into the black hole of a search engine. So overwhelming…and it’s oh so tempting to simply cut and paste the information and call it my own. Information of every kind is available at any time of day in our schools and in the convenience of our own homes. It has
never been easier to study any topic, and our kids are great at using new technology. Both of my children were fairly proficient using a computer mouse around the age of four. I cannot imagine their lives without a computer, especially since their dad works in the industry. Even when my son was too young to play games on a real computer, my husband brought home an old, non-working laptop for him to bang the keys just for fun. These days my 12-year-old daughter is quite skillful at doing online research and taught me not long ago how to use Powerpoint! I can’t help but think that teachers and parents aren’t as “smart” as they used to be. Don’t get me wrong, there have always been those times when high-schoolers would flummox their parents with chemistry questions. But new technology is causing parents and teachers to increasingly come to their students for the answers. Case in point: My husband just looked up a YouTube video produced by a 12-year-old on how to reset our iPod password! With kids learning the ins and outs of new technology quickly, “old age” starts sooner. Anyone who has difficulty adjusting to rapid change or the constant influx of new technology quickly ages out of the top of his career.
Computer Skills Necessary By Brittney Switala Computers can bring knowledge, but not wisdom. Not the kind a great-grandmother has from surviving the Great Depression. She knows how to make money stretch and can preserve her own food. Not the kind a man has who has made it to the top of his career only to decide it was more fulfilling to give it all up for missions. He knows worldly success cannot compare to the exhilaration of Kingdom work. Not the kind a mom has who is at home with three little ones. She knows how to multitask, prioritize, and manage her household. New college graduates have incredible technological savvy. Many have always had computers in their homes and have never known life without the Internet. However, countless students are graduating without the necessary skills to succeed in life because of the emphasis placed on technology and classes that are considered “higher level.” I remember looking for a class in high school that was an easy “A.” I was taking a load of difficult college prep courses and found “Human Growth and Development” was just the number of credit hours I needed. It was true the course was relatively easy, but it was the most practical course I took in all of school. I had a make-believe baby I had to carry around, and
I had to keep a journal of the baby’s development, needs, and changes. As much as I was intellectually challenged by my college preparation courses, they did little to prepare me for life. It seems to me that there needs to be more of an emphasis in education on preparing students not only for careers, but the next 60 or more years of life. Life preparation would include developing students’ communication skills, ability to handle home finances, and preparation for the work world. Conflict resolution training would prepare students for everything from navigating the corporate world to effectively communicating with a spouse. Home management courses would teach students to think critically about roles in marriage and parenting. Wisdom is inherent in our older population. It’s been gained through years of experience and hard knocks. Schools don’t receive state grants to teach kids life preparation like they do for computers, but they need those skills just the same. Perhaps it would be an even trade—the graduate teaches Grandma how to use an iPad, while Grandma teaches her how to live debt-free. Okay, it’s not really even because wisdom is priceless.
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
27
Got Fire?
Come catch the Pentecostal Fire at Living Hope Ministries of the Eastern Shore
LHMES – Home of Living Hope School of Ministry “Reflecting the Life of the Cross” Classes Monday 6:30 – 8:30 pm – “Counseled by God” For more information call (410) 968-1488
Service Times:
Sundays at 10:30 am & 6:30 pm | Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Now Enrolling For the 2012 – 2013 School Year For More Information Visit SeasideChristianAcademy.com or call 410-213-7595
If I Die Young By Karen Tull
T
he world was shocked last month to hear that singer and actress Whitney Houston had been found dead at age 48. Once a shining star in the entertainment industry, she sold millions of albums and had a bevy of awards to her credit. Who could forget her legendary rendition of the national anthem before the Super Bowl in 1991? (She is the only performer to ever turn it into a Top 20 hit.) Houston was a household name and beloved by many, which is why her premature death and the ongoing issues contributing to it were particularly saddening. For over a decade, Houston had been showing up in the press over news of troubling behavior. From reports of drug use and marital problems, to late arrivals and appearance cancellations, it was as though she were on a steady decline. Ultimately, bad choices culminated in her tragic end, with some reports even claiming that she died completely broke. The resounding outcry afterward seemed to center around one basic thought: What a waste of God-given talent. If each of us knew the precise date and time at which we would die, how would we live? In Scripture, Moses cries out to God and says, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Understanding that our days are numbered can help bring life into focus. But how can we keep this at the forefront of our minds, with so many things vying for our attention? “Take time to reaffirm your basic beliefs, to reflect upon them,” writes author Stuart Briscoe. “One of the things in dramatic short supply in our culture is the opportunity and the desire for quiet reflection, the opportunity to lay aside legitimate concerns and activities and simply take the time quietly and thoughtfully to ponder and reflect upon matters of incred-
ible significance.” It’s crucial to remember that God is the source and sustainer of everything. In the chaos of life, it’s easy to forget or doubt that He is in absolute control of the universe and our individual path in this world. But if we have chosen to follow His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sin, we can be assured that our Heavenly Father has a good purpose and plan for us. Each day is an opportunity to reach toward it. Naturally, we want our lives to be “about” something, to see that what we’re doing is fruitful and effective. Those desires are placed there by God, and He is faithful to instruct us along the way. “When we turn to the Lord seeking a heart of wisdom,” continues Briscoe, “what do we ask for? Compassion, unfailing love, and the joy and gladness only He can give. What do we pray for? That His deeds might be manifest in our lives. When we turn to the Lord, what is it that we’re seeking? That He would touch us in daily life so that the very work of our hands would be done to His eternal glory.” Regardless of our level of education or what the specific work of our hands may be, God freely offers His wisdom to each of us. We receive it when we keep the bigger—and most important—picture in focus. Briscoe concludes: “It’s so easy to fill our lives with trivialities. But God calls us to something higher and nobler and grander. In the light of eternity, and in the face of evil and sin, He wants to put us in touch with that love and compassion demonstrated in Jesus Christ. He wants to lead us to repentance and faith and infuse us with the grace of His Spirit. That’s living wisely.”
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
29
Visit our blog and keep up to date with what’s going on in our community. hermitage-hes.blogspot.com
Be our fan on Facebook
2611 North Salisbury Blvd. 410-548-5480
What’s That? By Josh Millwood
“W
hat’s that, Daddy?” The world is a magical place filled with spectacular wonders. At least that’s how my two-year-old daughter Kaylee sees it. And she’s right. But somewhere along the way, some of us stop marveling. And that is a travesty because there is just so much to marvel at! This world—this place—is filled with wonders that most of us don’t even take the time to consider. Whether it be nature, architecture, literature, music, film, the cosmos, or any of the myriad delights our world holds, there is always something to inspire us. We just have to keep looking. When we are young, we must learn everything fresh. Very little knowledge is instinctual; most is taught or caught. Some of the first words we learn are questions because that is the quickest way to learn more. We start so hungry. Sadly, some of us lose that hunger along the journey. Throughout school, we are given giant portions of information and expected to digest it all. Everything from math to history to whatever an adverb is—and some of it can be fascinating and inspiring. (I have a friend who describes her love for poetry as if it were the very oxygen she needs to live!) Those things you click with are fuel to learn more. Subjects become passions, which in turn grant purpose and direction in life. However, some knowledge is forced. It isn’t bad knowledge; you just don’t really care for it. That might be because you aren’t naturally gifted in a certain area or perhaps a teacher who rubs you the wrong way kills a subject for you. I struggle with mathematics. I have a great appreciation for math, but it might as well be ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics when I look at it. Fortunately, this diverse world doesn’t need all of us to get
straight As. We weren’t all made to be specialists in every field. One of the most beautiful things about God’s design is also a great frustration to every society. We are all so different. We look different, smell different, laugh different. And worst (or best) of all, we all learn differently. Some can hear and retain. Some need to write everything down 10 times for it to sink in. Some are kinetic learners and need to do in order to learn. Some can learn while watching a video and others by reading. Some brains get the way language works, while others see numbers as the ultimate form of communication. Pity the teacher who stands before a class of 30 students who must all learn the same thing, but in 30 different ways. We take on the responsibility to be an ambassador for the knowledge we love. Just as followers of Christ represent Jesus to those who haven’t met Him yet, we also share our other loves with those around us. I recommend pulpy novels, great music, and random internet articles to my friends because they connect with me, and I want to share that feeling of connection. It’s the dissemination of knowledge on a grass-roots level. That’s really how the Church began, and that seems to be holding up pretty well throughout the years. Those who find wonder in the marvelous people, subjects, and things around them usually share those passions with their community. Whether through story time with your children, talking in a small group, or posting things on the internet, we subconsciously want others to feel that same spark. Evangelism happens when we take the time to marvel at God and His Son. Jesus said about the Kingdom of God, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine” (Mark 4:21). wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
31
The Stories We Tell By Ravi Zacharias
Welcome to Shore Transit
Going Places Together!
The public community transportation system serving the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Shore Transit provides safe and affordable transportation for customers traveling for employment, education, medical appointments, and shopping. For additional information, go to the new website www.shoretransit.org or call the Customer Service Center at 443-260-2300.
H
ave you ever had the feeling that an experience you had, whether good or bad, was like a scene from a novel or a movie—like you were a part of at least a small story? With the ubiquitous presence of Facebook pages and blogging platforms, I suspect this phenomenon grows all the more common an experience (and likely one that increasingly communicates we are the leading characters of these stories). If the answer is yes, it’s probably because our lives, after all, do tell a story—and perhaps the increasing presence of such outlets to tell these stories affirms it. Every human being has a unique story unfolding as they live out their lives. Just think of it: literally billions of different stories going on all at once, intertwining, overlapping, as we love each other, hate each other, struggle together, and laugh together. Every minute new human stories are beginning in birth and old ones are concluding in death. Listen to what author Brent Curtis has to say about the stories of our lives: “The deepest convictions of our heart are formed by stories and reside there in the images and emotions of (a) story....Life is not a list of propositions, it is a series of dramatic scenes. As Eugene Peterson said, ‘We live in a narrative, we live in a story. We have a beginning and an end, we have a plot, we have character.’ Story is the language of the heart. Our souls speak not in the naked facts of mathematics or the abstract propositions of systematic theology; they speak the images and emotions of story.” We love stories because life itself is a story. We each have a story that takes place in a particular context, culture, and time in history. Depending on how we grew up, the dynamics of our families, and a million other factors, our stories are going to
come out differently. But is there any common element that runs through all of our stories, an element that we see in every life? You may have never thought about it this way, but the Christian message really introduces a story of its own; and if it is indeed true, it’s a story that explains the “plot” of each and every human life story. What is this lot? It’s a love story. It’s the story of God’s love for us individually and collectively, God’s seeking to win our hearts again and again, and our responses to this movement toward us. We see this in the well known text of John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. I would challenge you to look at your life, look at where you are now and where you’ve been, and see if you do not find evidence of God drawing you closer to who God truly is. See if you can find God calling to you in the circumstances of your life, even in hard or painful times, whispering to you in joy, in mystery, in fear, in pain. God is the ultimate author, God’s story the account that makes sense of our lives and brings beauty into our own stories. As one human author put it, your life could be the very poetry of God. Ravi Zacharias is founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. The Stories We Tell by Ravi Zacharias, A Slice of Infinity, No. 2654, orignally printed February 8, 2012 (www.rzim. org). Used by permission of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.
Enjoy tax season next year! Make an appointment and ease your mind.
Call Paula Green now at – 410-651-1004 Now Open!
12302 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne, Maryland
“I don’t want to make the wrong decision for the one person who always made the right ones.” Now is the time to make the right decisions for you and your family. As preplanning specialists, we can make certain that all of your wishes are carried out and that you spend only what is needed. We’d like to answer any questions you might have. Call us today to find out what you can do to make all of the right decisions.
Salisbury
(410) 742-5141 Pocomoke
(410) 957-0224 www.hollowayfh.com © adfinity
Who Was St. Patrick? By Karen Tull
S
aint Patrick’s Day is a big deal here in the United States. Did you know that New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade is both the oldest and largest parade in the world? Every March 17th, from major cities to small towns across the country, revelers fill local establishments to enjoy green-tinted beverages and chow down on traditional Irish fare, such as shepherd’s pie or corned beef and cabbage. Many will wear at least something green on their bodies in hope of avoiding a pinch from a friend or co-worker (awkward). As they say, “Everybody is Irish” on this one day of the year. So, is there any real meaning behind the hype? What exactly are we supposed to be commemorating on March 17th? Ask a few people and each response will likely be different. My mother, who taught firstgraders for 30 years, would always explain
the history of the holiday to her students. Before doing so, she would begin by asking the kids, “Who was Saint Patrick?” And every year the answer was the same: “A leprechaun!” Try the same question on an adult and the reply might be just as wacky: “Uh, didn’t he get rid of all the snakes in Ireland or something like that?” Clearly, fact needs to be separated from fiction. Unfortunately, there isn’t a vast amount of information on Saint Patrick. Over the years, much of his story has either been distorted or invented, leaving a lot of mystery surrounding the actual events. However, scholars have confirmed some particular details to be true—enough to verify that his life was an extraordinary one. First of all, Saint Patrick wasn’t Irish— he was English. Born in the British Isles to a wealthy family in the late fourth century,
Have Your Income Taxes Prepared By A Tax Attorney James W. Respess, Esq.,RFC
Business Returns & Individual Returns (443) 736-7523 212 W. Main Street, Suite 308 Salisbury, MD he was captured at age 16 by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland, where he was forced to labor as a shepherd. For six years, he is said to have lived in fear and isolation, and during that time, turned to God for comfort. Eventually, God communicated to Patrick through a dream that it was time for him to escape, so he fled 200 miles to the Irish coast where he managed to get on a ship back to Britain. Once again in his native country, Patrick joined the priesthood, fully devoting himself to his Christian faith. A few years later, he again felt God speaking to him through a dream. This time, he heard the voices of the Irish entreating him to come back. Patrick knew God was placing a calling on his life, and in a Jonah-esque turn of events, he returned with the message of Christ to the pagan country where he had been held captive. During his 30-year ministry in Ire-
land, Saint Patrick helped bring about the widespread conversion from nature-based religion to faith in Jesus Christ. In particular, his ability to evangelize the nobles— people of power and influence—is said to have been a major catalyst behind the huge spiritual shift. Saint Patrick is noted to have died on March 17th sometime during the fifth century. Today, Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations tend to emphasize cultural pride and kitschy fun. While this is fine, it does seem to contrast the true significance, which actually isn’t so much about a particular man—but a story of God building His Church and how He used an unlikely human to do it. It’s a testament to what God will do when we’re obedient to His call on our lives, no matter how crazy or unappealing it may seem to us. Just something to think about over a bowl of Lucky Charms.
or by email
jrespess@comcast.net
Full Line of Fresh and Frozen Seafood!
crabsandseafood.com
Ocean City – West Ocean City Crisfield – 4884 Crisfield Hwy Crisfield – 97 North 7th Street
Crab Cakes Crabs Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Back Fin Crabmeat Oysters Clams Shrimp Frozen Softshell Bodies Mention this ad and receive 15% off shipping!
Open 7 Days a Week
Unfiltered
Think Out Loud
For every child who ever got gum stuck in his hair, grabbed the wrong lunch before going to school, felt abandoned by your best friend and neglected by your parents, this tale sympathizes. And as Alexander laments after each misadventure, “I think I’ll move to Australia...” Ultimately, it isn’t escape Alexander needs, but a simple hug. This book is made for kids with a slightly warped sense of humor. If your child is very empathetic, this book is not for them. Like a Ben Stiller comedy, things go from bad to worse until the very end.
Anne of Green Gables: Kevin Sullivan Based on the bestselling novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables is a movie your family will cherish for years. Set on the beautiful Prince Edward Island in Canada, the story is about a quirky and imaginative orphan girl named Anne Shirley who is mistakenly sent to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a brother and sister living together on their family farm. The only problem is—they had requested a boy. When they ultimately decide to keep her, little do they realize how much God will use her to enrich their lives. At one point, Marilla comments to Matthew: “He knew we needed her.” Anne of Green Gables can be viewed via Netflix and is available for purchase on Amazon.com. http://www.amazon. com/Anne-Green-Gables-Megan-Follows/dp/B00005YNTR/ ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330613422&sr=1-2
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day: Judith Viorst Everyone has had a bad day, but Alexander had a truly horrible day in this Viorst classic. Told from the perspective of the messy, underachieving Alexander, this children’s book teaches that even when everything goes horribly wrong, eventually the day will end. Tomorrow is a new day. And even when it seems like our parents couldn’t care less, they still love us.
Ultimate Collection (Live): Hillsong Kids Hillsong Kids’ Ultimate Collection is the latest album release from the musically acclaimed Hillsong Ministry in Australia. Taking cues from its adult counterpart Hillsong Live, Hillsong Kids’ Ultimate Collection is a 15 track compilation album that is infused with upbeat songs, and powerful lyrics for a lively and deep praise and worship experience for children. The album kicks off with the song “Rainbow.” Its pop music beat, is sure to get kids dancing, while its catchy chorus instills the message that “God’s promises are true.” Midway through, the album takes a more worshipful tone with songs like “Your Eyes,” “You’re All I Need,” and “Jesus Loves Me.” Although made for children, this album is one that parents and adult audiences can also enjoy, and even learn from. The song “Trust and Obey,” has a more grown- up sound and a clear message, with lyrics that simply say “...all the things that I could do for you, all the things I could say, nothing is better Lord, than to simply obey.” Hillsong Kids’ Ultimate Collection simplifies Biblical truths, fuses musical genres, and allows both child and parent to have a true praise and worship experience, making it a great Christian music choice for children. These reviews are provided by Maranatha, Inc. staff and contributing writers. wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2012
37
Perhaps By B.A. Timmons
“P
erhaps” is a word that caught my attention in the year 1987. As with things that often make a lasting impact, it was the person who said it that made the impression. The television series Beauty and the Beast ran for three seasons starting on September 25, 1987. The story involved a world of outcasts secretly living under the city streets. Vincent
Exclusive “Marlette by Schult” Retailer
is the appointed protector of the inhabitants. He has the appearance of a “beast,” but the heart of a savior. The “beauty,” Catherine, lives in the city above. The two of them meet when Catherine is assaulted by a thug and Vincent takes her below to recover. Affection develops between the two, he assumes the role of her permanent protector, and together they fight for the downtrodden.
Colonial Mill Homes, Inc. Where the Customer Comes First
27028 Osprey Circle, Hebron, Maryland Off Route 50 West, in beautiful Hebron woods Office 410-742-1050 | Fax 410-742-2050 | 1-888-206-6521
2006 Northwood Drive, Salisbury, MD 410-749-0112 | dicarlo1.com
109 South Division Street, Salisbury, MD 410-749-9901 | dicarlodigitalcopycenter.com
Vincent had been raised by a man I only remember being referred to as “Father.” Father is well-read, wise, and the resident overseer of the outcasts. Vincent is his moral image, and the influence of Father’s life over his son is obvious. Vincent habitually speaks in a soft voice, uncharacteristic for his appearance. He is a normal man, albeit incredibly strong, and with facial hair and features that resemble those of a lion. It was Vincent’s use of the word “perhaps” which caught my ear. He used it often, usually while speaking to Catherine about a remedy to their current problem, softly uttering it so as not to dictate. It was after the repeated viewing of this that I decided I, too, would use the word “perhaps.” I never use it in conversation, but frequently in writing. My use of the word is meant to be in the same vein as that of Vincent. There is more to the story of my watching this interesting twist on an old tale. In the fall of 1987, I had moved back home after a 4-year stint of bad decisions. I usually watched the show in the home of my parents who were helping to nurse me back to spiritual and emotional health. Some months prior to that, I had received a call from them. My brother, a leader in the local church I attended before graduating college, had discussed with them that the church was not sure what to do regarding my membership, which was still technically on the books. But it wasn’t technicalities with which they were concerned—my stint was no secret. It was really an extended hand that they were offering, and this was the wake-up call I needed. Repentance began to rise up in my heart, and a chain of events began, which together would slowly work to bring my heart back to the Lord. Shortly after that call, I moved into the house where 89-year-old Emilie Cederstom lived, whose room for rent had become known to me through an inquiry to the local churches in the area. Hunched over due to severe osteoporosis, she informed me that her job was now to check the obituaries for deceased friends and occasionally share her cookies with me (her last remaining vice). Her retired son was temporarily liv-
ing there, getting her affairs in order, as her death was somewhere on the not-too-distant horizon. I did yard work just for something to do. Rose of Sharon had engulfed everything in sight. Her son had me prune it back to stubs, which left her yard looking like a bad haircut. Regardless, she once told my mother that I was “to the manner born.” While I’m not sure exactly what she meant, I’m pretty confident it was a compliment. It was in this home that the Lord did some radical pruning in my heart, and the healing first began. Just before moving back home that fall, my parents introduced me via cassette tape to a man who taught at their annual retreats. I listened to those tapes in my third-floor bedroom. That man would become a spiritual physician to me and a lifelong friend to our family. He would point me to a Christ I had not seen before and he continues to do so to this day. After several months with the old lady (she would not be offended, as she was fully aware of her season in life), I returned home. My parents introduced me to their local fellowship of believers. It was there that the nursing continued and where I began to understand for the first time how a group of believers functions in what we call a “body.” And it was during those first months at home that we watched Vincent use the word “perhaps” and deal tenderly with Catherine. Perhaps the timing of the phone call about the quandary in which my church found itself was just a coincidence. Perhaps the availability of Mrs. Cederstrom’s room, a place of refuge when I most needed it, was a coincidence. Perhaps it was coincidence that I heard just the right taped message from the right messenger, at the right time. Perhaps it was coincidental that I happened to find myself in that local body of believers when I moved back to Sussex County, where I met and married my wife. And perhaps, coincidentally, I found myself drawn to the words of Vincent, a vague embodiment of the Savior, the likes of whom I was just beginning to come to know in a way I never had before. Or perhaps...it wasn’t coincidence at all.
Family owned & operated!
in Berlin Click to view our entire inventory!
Click www.mybarrett.com 410-641-0444
Serving the Berlin, Ocean City area for over 60 years.
Todd’s Income Tax & Accounting Service, Inc. Is your church helping you to minimize your taxes? • Ministries, Personal & Business Income Tax Preparation • Bookkeeping & Payroll Services
We Also Provide the Following Instructions & Seminars to Ministers • Business Consultation – 1st 1/2 Hour Free Minister – Dual-Status Employee vs. Self Employed • Housing/Parsonage Allowance Obtaining Nonprofit Status Incorporating Your Church • Fringe Benefits Including Retirement Income – Tax-free Pending Housing Expenses Write-Offs to Minimize Taxes Computerized Church Records • Free Seminars: “Ideas for Managing Your Money From a Christian Perspective,” “Tax-saving Guidelines for Ministers,” & “Biblical Wisdom About Christian Giving” 11516 Commercial Lane Laurel, DE 19956 (302) 875-2433 or (888) 283-8110 Fax: (302) 875-1423 www.toddstax.com
Grace Notes Music Studio David and April Wilson, Instructors Follow the link below to see the Grace Notes website for more information and for free online music education resources!
Voice, Piano, Guitar, Woodwind and Brass Lessons 410-603-8585
206 Walston Avenue, Salisbury, Maryland | gracenotesmusicstudio.musicteachershelper.com | aprilrose62@comcast.net
List Your Church Online Find out more about our Area Church Directory by clicking here.
Agency Melody Nelson
Nelson Insurance 410-651-3667
Scott Rice Pest Control scottricetermite.com
Waterfowl Hunting
You’ve hunted with the rest – now hunt with the best!
John Charles Seipp
Attorney And Counselor At Law 410-546-3533 www.seipplaw.com | john@seipplaw.com
For a good day’s hunt, call Captain Andy Linton at (757) 336-1253 or (757) 990-2499 (cell)
Geothermal • Industrial Domestic • Irrigation Goulds & Grundfos Pumps Robbin Gray Reverse Mortgages 877-543-8174
30170 Ritzel Road, Westover, MD (410) 651-3721 (office-24 hrs.) drilling@somersetwell.com www.somersetwell.com
Get Plugged In Find out more about advertising in the Manna by clicking here
Let me help you make the move! Debbie Byrd, Realtor
ERA Bill Martin and Associates, Inc. 1000 East Main Street, Salisbury, Maryland debbie.byrd@ERA.com
NEW
• Mallard Landing – a fantastic, roomy cottage with stellar community association amenities. • $149,000. MLS # 476901 • Call Debbie @ 410-251-4028.
Lot/Land
• REDUCED! Just outside of Salisbury without city taxes! • Neat as a pin – ready to move in! • $192,500 MLS # 472405 • Call Debbie @ 410-251-4028
• Berlin – Renovated in 2007. • 4 bedrms, 2.5 baths. Open floor plan. • $2000 buyers closing help. • $177,500. MLS # 467365. • Call Keyanna Butts @ 443-880-8947
• Snow Hill - 6.2 acres between Snow Hill & Public Landing. • Perced and zoned Residential. Close to town and near water/ beach communities. • $156,250. MLS # 475970 • Call Debbie @ 410-251-4028
Direct: 410-251-4028 | Office: 410-749-1818