Greetings,

The Start of School We have just finished our second day of school! Mrs. Kinyon and Mrs. Mayyou said that the two days went well - - and they should know since they have been in the office a number of years.
The students seem to be excited about school starting. That is a great sign! Kids wanting to be in school!!!! OK I have to admit not all were excited to start. Some were nervous because they have a new teacher, some have their first male teacher, some do not want to do work, some are nervous about the new scary principal who says he will hold the children responsible for their actions. But I do know God will be guiding us to help them learn and they will come around. But each child is different.
This reminds me of my garden at home. Some plants and flowers need my assistance on a daily basis, as an example the Day Lilies. Others however, need to be nourished every once in awhile, like my boxwoods. The grass needs to be treated the same way at the same time. All bushes need to be trimmed, trees need to be pruned, and the Lilacs need to be cut back so they do not know grow the wrong way. That is what we intend to do with each child. Tend to their needs to the best of our abilities.
We will feed, water, prune, cut back and do whatever it takes to help our children grow into the Christian adults we want them to be. While we are at it, we hope do the same with ourselves, afterall God wants us all to grow in our faith. How about yourself? Does your faith need some pruning?
I hope to see you in church on Sunday!

God Bless,
Aaron
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Back to School

Greetings,

I am sitting at my desk preparing for a new school year at a new school. Tomorrow the faculty arrive for an all day meeting. I am sure they are saying the same thing I have said all week, "Boy, the summer went really fast!" They are probably more excited about a new class than they might let on, after all it is in their blood.

The theme for this year is taken from the book of Galatians chapter 5. In this chapter we find that we have freedom in Christ and how to use that freedom to live by the Spirit. The theme "Fruits of the Spirit" actually can be found in verses 22 and 23. These verses read:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.

As you read the 9 topics of living by the Spirit you must ask yourself, "How am I doing?" Are you patient when it comes to traffic jams? Are you the type that when changing lanes you realize the lane that you just moved out of is actually moving faster? Do you show kindness at all times? Including the time when someone cuts in front of you in a very long line at the store? Do you show self-control when your child tells you something they did wrong?

If you find yourself not doing so well in these nine areas it is a great time to begin. It will take practice, prayer and more prayer.

The key to the whole verse is the last sentence - - Against such there is no law. There is NO LAW against loving others, being joyful at all times, finding peace in this world of chaos, being patient in all circumstances, being kind to everyone - not just those who will be kind back, showing goodness, being faithful to the Lord, your spouse, your family, your school, being gentle with others when they have wronged you, and showing self-control in your life.

This is what we will be teaching your children throughout the year. We will use each of the fruit of the spirit every month. We will start the month of Aug/Sept with Love.

I ask each person who reads my blog to begin living by the fruits of the Spirit. While living by all of them, concentrate on the "fruit" of LOVE for the next month. I think you will find it very rewarding and fulfilling.

Blessings,
Aaron M. Landgrave