Friday, November 7, 2003

Time is Life
By Grace De Jong

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that’s the stuff life is made of.”
“If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality.”
These are quotes from Benjamin Franklin’s “Poor Richard’s Almanac.” In our American literature study of Benjamin Franklin, the juniors have noticed how important the concept and use of time is to even a reprobate man. To waste time is to waste life. One way Franklin demonstrated how valuable time is to life was the way he organized his day. He had a set schedule of hour-by-hour duties that needed to be accomplished. He seemed to think that many opportunities were overlooked, because people didn’t use their time wisely.
Many of us would agree with this. How often have we known we had to do something, but simply idled away our time, so that the work we had to do was still left undone? As Christians, we acknowledge that we must use our time wisely because life is as a breath of air, as a flower that fades. Job 7:1 speaks clearly about the brevity of life, “Is there not an appointed time to a man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling?” Because life is so short, we must be using every minute, every opportunity to the glory of God, not slothfully wasting the time that has been given to us as His people. II Timothy 2:15 states, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Here, the apostle Paul instructs Timothy to be busy, always studying or working to the glory of God. We may not squander away our time, otherwise the work that God has in store for us in our respective callings will not be accomplished. If we use every day of our lives diligently, we will not only reap blessings, in this life and in the life to come, but also bring glory and honor to Him who is the keeper of that precious time.

Flag Football
By Alyssa Zandstra

“Hike!”
The advanced physical education class has just completed playing flag football. Many of the students have never played this sport, so it was new and exciting for them to try it out.
We have acquired many skills through playing flag football. First of all, we learned how to throw a football, which many of us didn’t even know how to do! Secondly, we learned different plays one must be able to perform in order to successfully complete passes and score touchdowns. Finally, to effectively play the game, we had to combine how to throw the football and how to play with the rules and strategies.
I never realized before how difficult it is to play football. When watching people play football, it doesn’t look that complicated. But out on the field with a ball in your hand and five girls running towards you, football takes on a whole different perspective!

Planning Ahead
By Gina Verburg

This year, with the help of Mrs. Mary Terpstra, the Career Counselor, and Mr. Bob Vermeer, the Guidance Counselor, the juniors and seniors of Heritage Christian High are getting a look at colleges and technical schools and are starting to plan for life after high school.
Students were required to fill out a personal goals sheet so that their hopes for the future could be supported and aided as time goes on. Mrs. Terpstra and Mr. Vermeer arranged visits from college representatives. Some students are also planning to make career opportunity visits to get a better idea of their chosen vocation. As we continue to make our plans we are grateful for the help of Mrs. Terpstra and Mr. Vermeer.
The high calling in life for a Christian is to glorify God in all that we do. As we juniors and seniors begin to map out our futures we must always remember that no matter what plans we make, God is really the One who directs us. We also appreciate the guiding hands of teachers, parents, ministers, and all who help us as we continue planning for our futures.

American Revolution
By Bonnie Boer

On the fourth of July in the year 1776, one of the most important and influential documents of the United States was written: The Declaration of Independence, penned primarily by Thomas Jefferson. The future of the thirteen colonies under British control was to be changed - a change that we, as Americans, still feel today – freedom of government.
As Christians, always thinking antithetically, we ask, “Was this freedom gained in the right way? Was it Biblical for the colonists under their mother country’s control to revolt? Aren’t we called to be submissive, render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and live under the powers ordained by God?”
As juniors and seniors in Mr. Van Uffelen’s history class, we agreed that the liberties we have in America are definitely God’s gifts, yet we struggled with whether or not the idea of the American Revolution was in accordance with God’s commands in Scripture.
As the discussion went on, we realized that the American Revolution was a sin in God’s eyes. Rebellion against God-ordained authority is contrary to God’s Holy Word. The main conclusion was this: God’s plan and purpose is carried out through means. He uses the wicked and the righteous to accomplish His good pleasure. Although the revolt that we celebrate every Independence Day wasn’t done in submission to our earthly government, the King of Glory used it to give us freedom of religion and other liberties we are grateful for today.