B.J.'s Blurb

Weird Atheism

2012-01-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

The young man in the window seat was friendly and polite. We exchanged pleasantries when I sat down on the aisle seat, ready for the four + hour flight from Chicago to Oakland. I read a few chapters of The Hole in the Gospel, then looked for crossword puzzles in the flight magazine. All were completed (or nearly so). I sighed. Minutes later he handed me three books, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, another I didn’t recognize, and God is NOT Great: How Religion Spoils Everything by Christopher Hitchens. He knew I was looking for reading material – but was he making a point?

I had read The Prophet years ago, so I pick up God is NOT Great and read five chapters, including the concluding chapter. Ouch! Hitchens contends that organized religion is “violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism, tribalism, and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward children." Hitchens argues that the human race no longer needs religion and the time has come for science and reason to take a more prominent role in the life of individuals and larger cultures. It is in effect a rallying call to atheism.

Someone said it is important to know your enemies. Hitchens is literate, humorous (dripping with satire), and convincing. He is also dead wrong.

A few hours later… “So, what do you do for a living?” “I’m the lead administrator at Contra Costa Christian Schools.” “oh” (awkward silence) Despite the discomfort, we engaged in an interesting conversation on origins, God, and atheism. I don’t think I convinced him. He certainly illuminated my understanding of the other side. We shook hands as we walked off of the plane.

Last week, author Christopher Hitchens died after a bout with cancer. Now he knows. Life is weird sometimes.

Christmas Spirit

2011-12-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men!

This message from the angels characterizes the “spirit of Christmas.” It’s everywhere and it’s wonderful, as if the angels are still singing.

I don’t remember a lot of Christmas decorations in my household growing up; but I do remember three ceramic blocks that were put on the mantle each season. Three blocks, three words, “Peace, Joy, Love.” I remember moving them around, changing the order, stacking them, and watching my older sisters patiently putting them back in place. These three words have universal acceptance around the world – even when there is no mention of Jesus; Peace, Joy, Love.

These three words that capture the world at Christmastime are, interestingly, the first three “fruits of the Spirit” identified in Galatians 5:22! In a sense, God gives them twice, once at the birth of Jesus as sung by the angels, and again though the power of the Holy Spirit.

Here is the point. Christ didn’t bring these gifts at his birth just to brighten our Decembers; but to transform lives – so that peace, joy, and love are systemic, not just seasonal. God’s greatest gift, the Christ child, demands a response, “What can we give back?” We have an answer in Matthew 25:40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.”

My challenge to you is to embrace the wonderful spirit of Christmas – and extend it all year long. Feel the peace that passes understanding, celebrate the joy, and bask in the love of God. Be transformed! Then, prompted by the Spirit, be an instrument of peace, spread the joy, and love.

Count Your Blessings

2011-11-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

It’s is interesting how things come around. When I was a child, I sang this song:

Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God has done

Over the last few years, I have started to consciously look for God’s blessings. I’ve written about it and prayed that my eyes would be open. I can’t count what I can’t see… A trip to Santa Cruz beaches and a porpoise sighting; Blessing! A student testimony at chapel; Blessing! A job interview; Blessing! A first grader greets me, “Hi Mr. President!” Blessing!

I’m seeing more and more blessings and have come to realize that they have been there all along. I just haven’t been looking. I think that I finally understand what it means to count my blessings and see what God has done.

It has changed my life.

Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings. I strongly recommend it; you will be blessed!

Another Yosemite Story

2011-11-04T15:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
My blogs have been a bit too serious lately. I think it is time to tell another Yosemite story.

Pat and I made three trips to Yosemite over the summer. On the second trip, daughter Emily came along and the three of us hiked up the Yosemite Falls trail. The key word here is UP. Halfway up the trail is an overlook with breathtaking views of the valley and Half Dome. A half mile further and there is an overlook of the upper fall. Be careful because the drop is thousands of feet DOWN. This is not a hike for the squeamish. But this is not the story….

Pat and Emily continued UP the trail to the top of the falls and I - - wimped out. I decided that this was not the day for brutalizing my body and so I headed down the trail, found a seat in the shade near the newly renovated building by the shuttle station (okay, a bathroom), and opened up a good book. As I sat and tried to read, I began to see the strangest things …

An “item” near the bench that I occupied seemed to create an unusual amount of interest. Many people stopped, stared, and commented to others in the group. A tour bus full of people walked slowly past. One family of five took a picture of each individual with the “item.” I don’t speak Japanese, but volunteered to take the family picture. Then the father took my picture next to the curiosity. Wierd. Have you guessed?

Another family stopped and the teenage son picked up the handset, listened, and exploded in Italian mixed with laughter. Every family member took a turn. A wizened woman with gray hair watched intently, waited, and, when the opportunity presented itself, shuffled with dignity to the box. Her eyes met mine and she broke out in a gap-tooth smile. Finally a brave middle aged man picked up the handset, deposited a coin, swiped a credit card, and looked bewildered. He tried again, and again, before muttering something under his breath that sounded like “kaput.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket as he stomped away.

What was this strange thing that turned so many heads, rivaled the falls for picture opportunities, and baffled even a bright young man? You’ve guessed it. A PAY PHONE! Now you know the rest of the story…

My, how times have changed!

Statement of Faith

2011-10-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
What do you believe? What drives you? When you apply for jobs at a Christian institution, you are asked to provide a Statement of Faith. I recommend you write yours. Here's mine:

I have recited the Apostles Creed since I could first use words. John 3:16 was written on the wall above my crib. I first memorized Questions and Answers 1 and 2 of the Heidelberg Catechism in the sixth grade. My parents believed; I believed. Throughout my life, this belief has taken hold, and sometimes taken over, through the challenges and fires that come with life. Belief has become faith…

I know that God is the creator of heaven and earth. Creation points to the creator and I am in awe! I am learning what it means to be created in God’s image and that He created me. I know that humankind fell into sin and that sin has corrupted both man and creation. I am sinful and in need of salvation. I know that Jesus, through His death, resurrection, and ascension has provided salvation for those that He loves. I am so overwhelmed by the love of God for me that every fiber of my being wants to praise Him. I am committed, now and always, to live for Him, in gratitude and celebration! As I seek God’s heart, aware that He delights in justice, mercy, and righteousness, I pray that I will demonstrate these attributes in my life.

My faith is personal but I haven’t forgotten that the seeds of my faith were nurtured by my parents, my Sunday school teachers, my Christian school teachers, and other “saints.” God works through people, His people. I want Him, by His Spirit, to work through me so that my faith is dynamic as I join with others to build His Kingdom at home, at school, in our community, and in the world.

B.J. Huizenga

Good-bye Bert

2011-09-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Bert never was a rich man but if you talked to any of his four children, they would tell you that money couldn’t buy the love that they experienced growing up. WW II interrupted his formal education; he learned in service to his country and through life experience. He went to work in the lumberyard for his career, but he was a wise man and served many times on Church Councils and School Boards. He was strong, athletic, and handsome, but humility covered his strength. He was the trusted neighbor, true friend, loyal husband, valuable employee, and tireless servant.

My wife Pat spent the last week with Bert at a care home in Kalamazoo. At 92, his body is worn out. She said good-bye to her dad, knowing that she would not see him again alive.

It is hard to lose a man like Bert Triemstra, a man after God’s heart. How do I know this? I know because he was kind and merciful; because he understood justice; and because he was a righteous man. Jeremiah 9: 23, 24 says that these are the qualities that God delights in.

These are the qualities that we want to emulate and teach our children; kindness, justice, and righteousness. Good-bye Bert. Thanks for showing us what happens when we Seek God’s Heart.

PS This blurb was published in The Bulletin on September 23. Bert died on September 24, attended by his two sons.

9/11

2011-09-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
9/11 was chaotic. As a principal responsible for 600 elementary students and 32 staff members, I had some decisions to make without clear information. Are we under threat? Do I cancel school? How much information do we share with students? What message does our school community need to hear? Who has answers? Who is in control?

Imagine being a first grader. By the time you got to school, you might have seen the plane(s) smash into the trade towers time and time again on TV news. Did it happen once – or 30 times? Why is mom crying? Is New York close by? What will happen to me?

One parent came to the office with inside information. Our rural location (Ripon) made us vulnerable to airborne toxins spread by crop dusters. Hmm… I regularly watched the planes over the vegetable fields close to my home. Was this a real threat? Chaos.

We didn’t cancel school but we did reschedule the evening Back to School event (who would come?). We regulated the watching of video accounts of the tragedy for our younger students. They didn’t really understand what they were seeing. The older grades received updates as the day progressed. And we had a chapel to close the school day. The message? God is in control! When there is chaos; when one cannot make sense of tragedy; when one is fearful; remember, God is in control.

This is a simple message but also profound; important for first graders and school principals. Friends, do you experience chaos? The message is for you too…

Glitter and Gold

2011-09-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
The prophet Jeremiah had it right thousands of years ago. It seems that it is human nature to value wisdom and learning as indicated by degrees and diplomas; to esteem strength of stature or power; and to value wealth. We pursue these things and then BOAST about them! But God doesn’t delight in these things. There is a bit of irony here. Imagine how foolish it must sound to hear men boast of education, power, and wealth to Him who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and not only owns the “cattle on a thousand hills,” but owns the hills!!

Jeremiah 9:23-24 warns us not to boast about education, power, and wealth. This is the GLITTER of life. Rather we are encouraged to boast about this, “that they (we) have the understanding to KNOW God who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth.” This is the GOLD. These are the things that God delights in.

Most of you know that I am the Superintendent of Contra Costa Christian School. Our school theme this year is SEEKING GOD’S HEART. Of course we value education, we’re a school! But we don’t want to be satisfied with the glitter; we’re going for the gold! We’ll find it when we seek God’s heart.

Spring Break

2011-03-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends, We had ten college seniors in our house lastweek! Ryan’s friends drove from Michigan to find sun and adventure for Spring Break. Well, they found adventure. Driving from Michigan was smooth sailing with clear skies and roads – until the Sierras. They had to purchase and install cables, then snailed over Donner Pass. Many of these young adults have grown up in snow country - but have never heard of chains or cables! Then again, they call our foothills “mountains.” They adjusted to liquid sunshine spending Monday in San Francisco, Tuesday in Santa Cruz, and Wednesday in Sonoma; all the while having the time of their life! And each evening they came home for supper at our house with lots of cooking, feasting, and great fun mixed with expensive shopping, endless dishes, and little privacy. Are Pat and I complaining? No way! We also had the time of our life. Ryan is a senior and will soon enter the work world. We probably will never have this experience again – until Emily brings her group next year! It warms the heart to see our child make good friends and enjoy life. It is a joy to watch him grow and mature. It is a comfort to see that he, and his friends, love God and know how to serve Him. Parents, there are different stages as our children grow up. I recommend that you find a way to enjoy each stage as it comes. Embrace the joys of parenting – because soon your child will be a college senior and on the cusp of adulthood.

Can We Talk?

2011-03-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Can we talk?
Nobody said our job was easy. There is no step by step manual, actually there are thousands, and none of them give the perfect blue print for your child. Plenty will give advice, some might even help. But if you are like me, there are times when you feel inadequate and alone – and times when you fail miserably.
What am I talking about? Parenthood!

Our culture doesn’t help. Families are often isolated from extended family. Cultural messages include “anything goes.” Both parents work. Often one parent is both mom AND dad. We live in fear of safety, or the lack of it. Some children have learning problems, ADHD, autism, and other challenges. It’s hard…

It makes for a lively debate to compare the challenge of parenting to 20, 200, or 2000 years ago but the bottom line is – Parenting is HARD! It is also perhaps the most important responsibility we will ever have. And there are joys, oh yes, there are rewards! I pray that you can experience them!

I don’t pretend to have answers but please accept these words of advice:

LOVE – Love covers a host of sins. Your children need your love more than anything in the world, sacrificial love, unconditional love, love that is willing to do hard things, love that knows when to back off or even let go. Are you struggling here? Go to Jesus; he is the source.

PRIORITIZE – Make faith and character development the most important priority for your children. Any accomplishment is life is hollow without faith and character. Make education the next priority. Education is the vehicle for your child to accomplish what God has in store for him or her.

GET HELP – You can’t go alone. Find a CHURCH to help you. Then find a SCHOOL that will be a partner – a school like CCCS. God’s Kingdom is not a place for rugged individualists. Get help.

Parents, we have a difficult job, an important responsibility, but we don’t have to do it alone. God gives us the tools to do the job; his love, his Word, and his family, the family of God. Take a big breath. Pray. Smile. And do your job.

Snow Day

2011-02-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I talked to Ryan and Emily on Tuesday night and both were as giddy and excited as I have seen in a while. Why the sudden elation? SNOW DAY! Calvin College cancelled classes for Wednesday, the first cancellation since the famous 1976 ice storm. Wednesday provided white out conditions and two feet of snow – and no classes!

The irony of the situation is that I was there for the notorious ice storm in 1976. I wasn’t aware that classes were cancelled so I backed the old Plymouth on the street and wondered, “where is the traffic?” You would think the tree limbs in the road would be a clue. I drove around them. The car kept sliding so I drove in the center and glided to a stop two blocks from home. Slowly, the old Plymouth slid to the right and bumped into the curb. That was enough for me! I got out and walked home, skated really, through trees coated with ice, prisms of light, and only three falls. No school!

Snow and ice were not the issues in my days as principal and transportation director at Hanford Christian in the Big Valley; FOG was the problem. It wasn’t fun for me. I started getting calls by 5:00 a.m. from “spotters” that lived along various bus routes. By 6:00, before the buses left, I had to make a call. Postpone or not? Families tuned to Public Television and watched the strip on the screen that announced cancellations. Before 9:00, I had to decide whether or not to cancel the buses for the day. I think we averaged about two “fog days” per year. What excitement!

In my many years at Contra Costa Christian Schools, I’ve never called a snow day, an ice day, or a fog day. Thankfully, I’ve never called a “flood day” or “earthquake day.” We should be grateful for the wonderful weather and conditions that we take for granted here in the East Bay. But seriously, wouldn’t it be fun to have a snow day?

Family Salute!

2011-01-27T13:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
President Obama said something in his State of the Union Address that caused me to stand and applause (along with the legislators). To paraphrase, he told parents to take responsibility for children, hold education in high regard, and set high expectations.

I have learned both professionally as an educator, and personally as parent, that the most important influence toward a successful education is the attitudes and nurture at home. Other influences are also important, like work habits, ability, and quality of instruction. But nothing is as important as the love and nurture of parents.

So, I salute the families of Contra Costa Christian Schools!
Thanks for providing a home full of love and faith.
Thanks for partnering with teachers to provide the right environment for students to thrive!
Without your support, we the staff could not do our job. You are the key. Let me encourage you to strengthen your homes, grab hold of your faith, and make education a priority!

His Image

2011-01-19T13:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents,

I sold him short. The high school English class had a strong speech component. In the first weeks of school, each of us had to get up in front of class and make a short speech. He bombed. In fact, he seemed afraid. I wrote him off. Big mistake. By the end of the year, I saw him as a gifted athlete, great singer, above average student, and good friend. When we were together, I did the talking, but he did the planning. In my immature mind, I saw his fear of public speaking as an indication of weakness. I soon learned that he was an impressive individual, one that I looked up to. We have touched bases a few times over the years. He has learned to cope with his fear – and is a successful businessman.

I was reminded of my old friend after watching THE KINGS SPEECH, this past weekend. After the abdication of his brother, “Bertie” became the King of England at the crucial period of history leading up to World War II. Now King George, Bertie had to overcome a severe stutter that was so debilitating that most had written him off as incompetent. They were wrong. I won’t ruin the movie by divulging more details; I recommend the movie. (The R rating, I assume, is due to the use of swearing words, a part of his unorthodox speech therapy.)

Many of us have a tendency to jump to conclusions about those that have a disability of any sort. I was guilty in my younger days but I’d like to think that I am wiser now. The truth is, we are all flawed in some way, and some flaws are more obvious than others… It is time to see each other as God sees us – created in His image.

Heroes

2011-01-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Our chapel speaker this past week identified a few heroes of faith in her life. Every person has a story. She grew up in a home where addiction played a key role. Her father was an alcoholic, her mother had food addictions. They weren’t bad people, just not there, not loving, not healthy. From a young age, our chapel speaker and her brother had a nanny. “Rose” was a Christian and showed love to the children through her attention, discipline, and protection. She was the “hands of Christ” to the two kids. She loved them and prayed for them. Our chapel speaker was able to rise above the circle of addiction and now clearly sees how Rose was her hero.

Who are the heroes of faith in your life story? Our chapel speaker would encourage you, like she did to our students, to identify those people who had a positive effect on your life and say “thank you.” Do it before it is too late.

And what about you? Are you a hero of faith? How is God using you to be his hands and feet? I’ve asked myself these questions and have to admit to a bit of discomfort as I ponder the answers. How about you?

My Last Lunch with Tom

2010-12-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Tom was at the lunch counter as I walked in. I was glad to see him and sat next to him even though he was finished eating. He looked good. After a little silence, we began to talk.

Tom is a professional musician although he hasn’t performed in a while. We swapped stories of famous musicians we have met over the years. We agreed that most musicians are nice people who see the world a little differently… Yes, there are divas in the business, but they are exceptions to the rule. Most musicians don't make a dime but there are advantages. When Tom went to boot camp during the big war, he soon learned that he wasn’t much with a gun, but singing in the base choir earned him special privileges. Tom built guitars and violins for the last ten years. We decided that there is no perfect instrument and when you find that special one, you’d better hold on to it. And we talked grandchildren; his of course! The “music gene” has found a place in each of them and he smiled as he shared stories.

My first vehicle was a John Deere “B” with a hand clutch and a fly wheel – at 11 years old! Tom beat me. His grandpa put blocks on the old tractor so he could drive it at 8 years old, and used hand brakes as well! Tom related how he and a cousin used a modified Model A to pick up corn stalks on their New Jersey farm; 14 hours and no one complained! Everyone in the family contributed with gratitude for food on the table. His dad shot a deer one winter from the kitchen window, and left it in the snow bank because they didn’t have a freezer. The family ate well.

Tom’s grateful for his wife. They performed together for years, she as the main vocalist, and he as the guitarist (and banjoist, and violinist, and you name ist…). She understands him. She has run the restaurant for the last 20 years and recently has tended to Tom.

Tom finished a second round of chemotherapy a few weeks back and he is just starting to get out. He won’t have another round. He can’t perform and he hasn’t produced a violin in over a year. “I miss those days,” he said. I held on to my emotions and said, “I’ll sing with you one day in the celestial choir.” He nodded.

As I paid my bill, the waitress said, “Hey, you haven’t done your crossword!” “I was doing something more important,” I replied. Tom smiled.

Good Time Decision

2010-11-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Can you tell yourself to be happy, and then be happy? Can you say, “I AM CHEERFUL,” and really feel cheer? Can you legislate a good time?

I have learned that my attitude about an event or occasion can be positively affected by decisions ahead of time. For example, before a family jaunt to Santa Cruz with my family, I decided that, no matter what happened, I was going to have a wonderful time! I shared that with the family when we got caught behind an accident in San Jose. Really, I was ready to have the best time in the car that we could possibly have and then celebrate at the local Denny’s! Who needs Santa Cruz? We made it to Santa Cruz - in the fog. I prayed silently that God would bless us with a treasure on the beach, even though it was cool and overcast. We jogged in full clothes in the wind and isolation and, seemingly out of nowhere, a school of dolphins popped their heads above the waves. We followed them along the beach as they frolicked and splashed. They disappeared by the time we reached the lighthouse but the sun broke through for a moment, and I remembered my prayer. Later, over a meal in a downtown eatery, we decided that we had a very special day! Why? Because we decided we would before the day began; and because we asked God to help us see His glory. It’s always there; we just don’t look sometimes.

I have a challenge for you. You will celebrate Thanksgiving in a few days. I have no doubt that there are issues that can destroy the day. Why don’t you decide ahead of time that there is nothing that can mess up the experience? Pray that God will bless you. Then open your eyes to see his glory – and be thankful!

Spiritual Retreat

2010-10-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I was a cabin counselor at our High School Spiritual Retreat, September 29 – October 1, at Camp Hammer; a beautiful facility just outside Big Basin State Park. Four things stick in my mind:

1. We have great students at Contra Costa Christian High School! We have a wonderful mix of personalities and backgrounds. I really like each of the young men that I got to know over the three days. One learns things when one sleeps in the same room with seven young males for two nights….. The goal of spiritual retreat is to build student relationships and foster spiritual growth. That happened without distraction. As principal, I handle discipline challenges. There weren’t any!

2. CCCHS has a staff that engages! The camp director was so impressed to see our teachers, administrators, and parent volunteers engage students at every level of involvement. I guess some school staff members drop off students and head for the coffee pot. Our staff was with students literally 24 hours a day.

3. Students love stories! The Bible story that supported the message of the speaker was the story of David before he became King. The speaker mixed the Biblical stories with stories of his own life as an adolescent and young man. The love of a good story does not lessen as our children get older. High school students love stories.

4. A message from our seniors, “Stick it out….!” At the traditional last night bonfire, many seniors stood up to give a message to the younger students. Many of the messages followed this pattern, “When we were freshmen, we didn’t like each other very well. Now we are best friends! Stick it out, things change, and you will be blessed to have life long friends!” To hear students give a message of tolerance, patience, and perseverance, was music to my ears. I wish you could have heard the song.

Aster

2010-09-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

When you look at your family, who is a late bloomer?

I do crossword puzzles. The clue is “late bloomer;” the five letter answer is “aster.” Most flowers are showing off in spring and summer. The aster is a late bloomer, coming out in late summer and fall. It may be late in the season, but the aster is beautiful, rivaling any flower!

Through my 30 plus years in education, I have seen countless “asters” pushed aside when other flowers were brightly shining. We are impatient, aren’t we? It is so difficult to see a child seemingly dull when all else are in bloom. Don’t just sit there, do something! Bloom!

God’s time is the right time. We push, prod, medicate, fertilize, and prune, but really can’t alter the timeline without doing a little damage along the way. What does the aster need? Nurture and patience! The result is a beautiful flower – in God’s time!

Who are the late bloomers in your family? Who is your aster?

Tolkien Moment

2010-09-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Be careful what you read. Books like “Lord of the Rings” will place weird ideas in your mind that take over at times of vulnerability.

My nephew called with an invitation for Pat and me and our two college-age children to join his family (four young children) on a camping weekend - at Edison Lake. He hadn’t been there before but it was up above Fresno. We love the family! Sure…

We’re campers but, because it was just two nights, we booked a room at the lone resort at the lake. What a surprise to have an opening! It was okay if we were late, according to the owner; he’d leave the light on… Hmmm, people really do that? And what made him think we would be late?

Ryan couldn’t get off for the weekend, so it was just me and the two girls. Mapquest said it was a five hour drive but I estimated four. We left at 4:00 p.m. on Friday and promptly sat for 30 minutes behind a truck with “Harris Beef” on the back side. I used to like Harris Beef. I made up time however and hit Madera by 7:30. It was smooth sailing to Shaver Lake, a beautiful reservoir full of speed boats and serviced by a quaint village. Up the road about 15 miles is Huntington Lake, a captivating ribbon of blue, largely undeveloped, yet easily accessible. I couldn’t help but wonder why we weren’t staying there for the weekend. Another seven miles and the sign said “Edison Lake 20 miles.” Nice, it was 8:15 and another hour should do it. Then the sign said “One Lane Road Ahead.” By now it was dark. The road was passable but curvy, up and down, no shoulder, and very haunting. We didn’t see a car for the first five miles until we hit the ranger station (figuratively); an abandoned group of buildings at 9,200 feet with no sound except a strange scratching from behind a tree. Ents? Orcs? We sped off at seven miles per hour. The road changed – for the worse. It was still paved, twenty years ago, but rocks and ruts and, what looked like animals seemed to jump from the dark places. You would think that the ladies in the car would appreciate the full moon but there was just enough light to illuminate the granite cliffs literally a few feet from the car. It was beautifully terrifying. Our car was quiet and the only sounds to be heard were the gasps, sighs, and blood pulses from those in the car, along with an occasional eerie hoot or growl from those out. Enough gas? 100 miles worth. Food and water? Two days. Weapons? None. God help us…..

He did. I was alert enough to see the sign, across the dam, left at the skull and crossbones (it seemed), and then the welcome light of a fire surrounded by dusty revelers. Druids perhaps? (Later I learned they were backpackers from the High Sierra Trail, stopping for a night of real food and a shower.) One hooded figure pointed a bony finger and I followed the lane past rustic buildings to an old trailer with a light on. We unloaded the car and thanked God for sparing our lives.

It was past midnight. We sat on chairs a few feet from the trailer, on a bluff, and observed the full moon just over a ridge reflected on a lake of glass. No sound. No movement. Hardly any breathing! Pat on one arm, Emily on the other. Perfect peace. Bliss. A Tolkien moment.

2010-05-27T11:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It seems that some very important lessons in life I have learned sitting at the lunch counter. As often as I can, I leave campus to eat at a local café. Lunch and a crossword puzzle are very therapeutic! It’s a small restaurant open for breakfast and lunch and the most prominent feature is the counter – where I sit in the middle of the action. The owner cooks three days a week and has owned the place, her namesake, for 30 years. The waitress has been there for six years, the other cook for longer. His dad is the back kitchen guy. Most of the time when I’m there, the same people, mostly retirees, roll in and out. Most know each other by name. I do too – and their histories, their health, their habits, their quirks. It seems we all look out for each other, give advice, laugh, roll our eyes, you get the idea. But I’m rambling; what are the lessons learned?

It was months before they realized who I was. “Who is that guy who sits at the counter with his dress shirt and tie and does the crossword puzzle with a pen?” “Who is that guy who makes jokes but turns around with a serious conversation?” “Who is that guy that doesn’t swear but doesn’t lecture?” They learned my name first. “Huizenga, are you related to that guy that owns the Florida Marlins?” “What is your ethnic background?” Finally, I gave out a few business cards. “Oh, the Christian school. Uh, sorry about my language.” People who had felt comfortable with me before, now told different jokes, stopped talking about weekend parties, and gave sidelong glances. In time, most began to get comfortable again. Some still look at me as if I work for the circus… That Christian label makes some curious, some angry, some distant, and a few comfortable. And, after many months of sitting at the counter and talking to the same people, a few have asked me about my faith. I guess I’ve earned the right to share.

By now, you are asking, “Yeah, Yeah, what are the lessons?” Here is what I’ve learned at the lunch counter:
· Well, people are people, no matter where you go.
· Many senior citizens crave social contact, familiar faces, and comfortable routines (and, I guess, so do I), like “Cheers,” where everybody knows your name…
· The label “Christian” makes a lot of people REALLY nervous.
· I work better at sharing my faith when I’ve earned the right to talk about the intimate things in life that really matter. I earn the right by being a friend…

Oaks and Redwoods

2010-04-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

My sister, Judy, and brother-in-law, Gerrit, drove from Visalia, with my mom, to visit on my birthday this past Saturday. My sister needed to pick up two books in downtown Oakland before 3:00 p.m. That was our only deadline. So, we were faced with the big decision – what to do for the day? Gerrit wanted to see nature rather than buildings. So, drive to the top of Mt. Diablo? Done that…. Muir Woods? Nice but not really on the way…. Golden Gate Park? Maybe….

A quick glance at the map showed that we can get to Oakland the back way and that would take us through Redwood Regional Park. Never heard of it! My first thought was that it was probably like the name of my housing development, “Oak Hills.” The only oaks within miles are the stunted versions that struggle in a few front yards! Redwood Park near Oakland? Right!

With adventure and optimism on our minds, we drove through Lafayette, around St. Mary’s beautiful campus, past an arm of San Leandro Reservoir, and to the Redwood Gate of the park. Yes, Redwoods! Evidently the area was covered with redwood trees that were cut in the late 1800s to build San Francisco and Oakland. Fortunately, there is a limited grove that remains that has grown in the last 100 years, ancestors of the old growth forest that once blanketed the area. We parked at Canyon Meadow and walked the mile to Trail’s End. Grassy areas of verdant spring green gave way to mysterious redwood groves. Wild flowers were everywhere. It was a glorious hike under blue skies and each of us felt renewed. My mom, who is 86 years old, almost skipped on the trail.

After our hike, we drove over the ridge past Skyline Drive and into Oakland, only minutes away. How is it that I have lived in the Bay Area for eight years and never knew about a redwood grove that is just minutes outside of Oakland? I’ve been to Chabot Science Center but never made it over the hill! I’m guessing that I’m not the only one. Here is my suggestion to you: In the next three weeks before the grass turns brown and the wild flowers fade, take the family to Redwood Regional Park. Have a picnic. Walk among the trees. And thank God that the name of the park actually has meaning.

Barbecue

2010-04-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
During the Easter break, Pat and I flew to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our main goal was to help our daughter Jaci prepare for her wedding on June 5 (in Grand Rapids), a back yard / garden event. We did - and my credit card got a work out…. Ryan and Emily are at Calvin College. Ryan invited us to a house barbecue with his fantastic room mates. Of course we said “YES” and I offered to help.

In reality, it was the B.J. Huizenga show. It turns out they don’t have a grill – so I bought one on sale at the local thrift store. Unfortunately, Ryan had to work while Pat and Emily were dress shopping, S0 – I went grocery shopping and planned the menu for the evening: B.J.’s Special Burgers (ground beef patties mixed with onions, green peppers, and seasoning; quality buns crisped on the grill; and every condiment one can dream of – including olives of course!); a variety of salads; sun and corn chips; and a smorgasbord of drinks. I bought disposable plates; glasses and plastic ware to minimize clean up. After $150, I lugged the groceries and “grill in a box” to Ryan’s duplex by 7:30 p.m. The event was scheduled for 8:00. I was hoping for some help to get ready in time. There was no one home. Eight young men – and not one was there! And, can I say that the kitchen was less than sanitary (college boys, remember)? I sat down to begin the assembly of the barbecue grill and quickly realized that I would not be ready until midnight! I was a bit panicked – and a little resentful. Have you ever felt that way?

At 7:45, the cavalry rode in. Four of Ryan’s housemates arrived, totally surprised that we were having a barbecue (was I supposed to send out invitations?), but excited to help. I assigned two to assemble the grill (one an engineering major), and two to clean the kitchen and start the coals while I chopped onions and green peppers to make patties. Ten minutes later, more boys showed up and I sent them to set up the tables and lay out the feast. By 8:00, the hamburgers were on the grill and the rest of the twelve attendees showed up. Did I say twelve? I was expecting twelve. 25 showed up! Evidently a party and free food at Ryan’s house was too good to keep a secret! No problem, I had bought enough hamburger to feed the neighborhood. Ryan entertained the guests while I worked hard at the grill. I emerged from the patio at 9:00 to a room full of revelers – to a standing ovation!

A good time was had by all! At 11:30, a remnant went down to the basement to play Rock Band (Beatles version). I taught them a lesson! Pat and I drove away at midnight with a smile. Life is good!

Things don’t always go as planned, but that barbecue was one of the most enjoyable evenings I can remember! Why? Because Ryan and Emily are surrounded by friends who know how to have good clean fun. They’re happy and they still want to have their parents around! I am blessed!

Easter

2010-04-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I talked with two friends (parents at CCC) this past week, one whose father is in his last days, another who recently lost her mom. When a loved one dies, everything changes. Emotions are frazzled, routines are shattered, priorities are upended, and the rest of the world just doesn’t matter much anymore.

All of us can identify experiences in our lives that have produced either emotional highs or lows, whether a death or a birth, a promotion or a pink slip. Did you ever hit the game winner as time expired – or did you fumble the ball out of bounds? Have you watched your child profess her faith in Christ- or watched her make painfully destructive choices? We are changed by these experiences.

One emotional experience in a week is difficult but how about two or three? Wouldn’t that be too much to handle? Perhaps. Yet Christ, and those around Him, endured many similar experiences during Easter week. The delirious exhilaration of Palm Sunday soon turned to humiliating horror on Good Friday. Only days later, Christ’s resurrection provided triumph and hope. Three earthshaking, mind-blowing, hyperemotional events -all in one week!

Our celebration of Easter awakens diverse emotions in each of us and some of us will relive personal highs and lows. But for the Christian, we are left with one final emotion that supersedes all others – JOY. The triumph and joy of Christ’s resurrection pervades all of life and we carry it within us to moderate the highs and lows that we face.

For my two friends, and for anyone who is shackled by emotional trauma, I pray that the joy of Christ’s resurrection will carry you through the “dark valley.” And for those that are “on the mountaintop,” I pray that the joy of Easter will always be there… Happy Easter!

Competition

2010-03-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Competition comes in many forms, officially and subtly. Our sports teams are competitive and so is our debate team! This is official competition. There is a winner – and there is a participant. For many, competition is a primary motivator for success. We are in for the experience, we love the competition, and we aim to win.

Competition is a motivator is subtle ways. We will host a Fine Arts Festival on our campus (May 7) where middle school students perform before an adjudicator. Students aren’t competing against each other – but they are watching the performances of others and will be watched…

I have a feeling that the “competition gene” is stronger in some than in others. In my 30 years in education, I have learned that competition is toxic for some. Some just don’t seem to win at anything and some just don’t seem to care… For these, competition is an exercise in futility.

I have compassion for the student who has very little success at grades or sports. I’m grateful to be part of a school that recognizes the worth of each individual student as created in the image of God. Each student needs to do his or her best – and that is enough. And I have seen how students who were at the bottom of the grade scale, never got the lead solo or drama role, and never made the varsity team – SHINE in their role as parents, or in the work place.

We will use competition to motivate students to achieve – but we understand the bigger picture. In God’s Kingdom, we are all victors!

Yosemite

2010-03-11T11:36:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

Perhaps you read my earlier posting that laments the fact that all of our children are out of the house (two in college) and Pat and I are “empty nesters” for the first time. After this past weekend, however, I’m beginning to see the possibilities…

It was Pat’s birthday. Our plan was to spend Saturday cleaning the house and working in the yard. It is time! I arranged a restaurant reservation and had the present ready. As we sat reading the paper on Saturday morning with a cup of coffee (yes, empty nesters can do that...), we talked about the weather report, and Pat lamented that she hadn’t had her “snow fix” this year. One thing led to another and an hour later we were on our way to Yosemite! I actually got a last minute reservation at Curry Village for a tent cabin, really a wooden cabin with tent windows, and a heater, for $60. Does that sound romantic to you? Read on. The weather on Saturday was partly cloudy but Yosemite is a magical place when light and shadow enhances the mystery. There were no crowds, parking was available, and peace was all around. As we drove through the valley, strains of a bagpipe lured us to pull over and open our windows. The fog cleared to show the piper standing in front of the Chapel, announcing a wedding that would soon take place. We had dinner at the Mountain House Room in Yosemite Lodge while watching the light of dusk paint the upper Yosemite Falls. Yosemite; mystery; serendipity; celebration; and romance. This day was a rare gift, unplanned and un-orchestrated. Could it get any better?

We were greeted by deep blue skies on Sunday morning. The rain and fog of Saturday seemed to scrub the skies and cliffs, leaving a sheen of moisture that reflected the bright sun of Sunday. We missed church – but felt like we were in a cathedral of light. We drove to the Ahwanee for Sunday brunch (yes, we had made a reservation the day before) and sat next to a window in the high ceilinged, multi-windowed, much-celebrated dining hall. The food was amazing and plentiful. Richard, Jose, and scores of others treated us like royalty. It was a birthday meal to remember! Needing to walk off the feast, we found a meadow that was still covered in snow. We put on our boots and Pat got her “fix.” Reluctant to leave paradise, we found a quiet spot near El Capitan where we sat in the sun and read novels, uninterrupted, other than the song of a few sparrows that were sensing spring.

Driving home, we felt a sense of gratitude for a great weekend. We were struck by how none of this was planned and how this wouldn’t have happened if our kids were home. We are beginning to see that there is a silver lining to empty nesting!

Oh Canada!

2010-03-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
I loved watching the Olympics, didn’t you? We weren’t the only ones watching; ratings for the Olympic telecasts topped the charts. In Canada, the U.S. / Canada hockey games were the most watched event in Canadian television history. What causes this passion in our friends to the north?

My older brother met his wife at Trinity College (Chicago area). A few years after they married, they located close to her family near Toronto, Canada, where they have lived for over 30 years. The children in the family of five boys and one girl are fiercely Canadian.

I learned, when my brother’s children were young (1980’s), that there was a gap between families. I represented the United States in their eyes, not just Uncle B.J. At first I was perplexed. Why such animosity? Why did I have to take the blame for everything that is bad about the United States, and why did I have to listen to the complaints over and over again? I became a little self righteous and defensive. I didn’t mind Canada, in fact I loved it, so why couldn’t we “all just get along!”

The attitudes haven’t changed much over the years but I have grown a bit wiser. The United States has ten times the population of Canada and is a world superpower. There is a bit of big brother – little brother syndrome going on. Canada is dependent on the U.S. economy more so than the other way around. When you are in the same bed as an elephant (that’s us!), you jump every time the elephant turns over…whereas the elephant doesn’t even seem to know that you are there!

The simple truth is that Canada is an amazing place, the second largest country in the world (bigger than the U.S.), blessed with tremendous resources (much untouched), and a unique diverse culture. Remember, when you look at the Olympic medals count, that the Canadian performance, in light of their population, is quite impressive. Canadians have reason to be proud – and a bit resentful of the Americans next door.

It seems that Americans often buy into the myth that “bigger is better.” We know different. The Bible is full of examples to prove otherwise. And our school is a perfect example to show that “bigger is NOT ALWAYS better.”

I cheered for America in the Olympics, but I think I understand why the performance of the Canadian Olympians, especially the hockey teams, was so important to my Canadian relatives and friends.

Haiti and Micah 6:8

2010-02-18T15:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Like many of you, I’ve been following the reports of the Baptist missionaries that were being held in Haiti for charges of “kidnapping” the 33 children that were stopped at the border without correct paperwork. As of the writing of this blurb, all but two have been released. One of the online articles (a mainline media source) invited a reader’s poll: should they be charged (they broke the law) or shouldn’t they (they were naïve and meant well)? The results were over 70% that they SHOULD be charged. Voters were also encouraged to give comments on an online blog. I voted so I could see the results and read the blogs. I was disheartened by what I read…

I wasn’t so concerned about the poll results. I can understand both sides. I was concerned about the vehement “Christian bashing” on the blogs. Over half of the responses railed against the self righteous sins of Christianity across the ages. The strong anti-Christian sentiment was the platform for a militant attitude to try the missionaries as kidnappers, traffickers, and potential sex traders. “It’s time to make example of extremist Christians who hide behind the cross to rape, pillage, and plunder!”

Wow. Where do these extreme reactions come from? How do we respond as individual Christians and members of Christian organizations (like our school and church) to these toxic attitudes? I don’t have easy answers to these questions, do you?

The only answer that makes sense is to be good and do the right thing. One verse has come to my mind over and over again in the last few days, one of my favorites, Micah 6:8:

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Justice is what God does. To act justly requires courage, thoughtfulness, wisdom, and prayer. Mercy is an aspect of God, the undeserved blessing that we receive – and give to others. Humility results we understand who we are. Even the most powerful and strong, the confident and self assured, must show humility. I believe that we – Christians – must act justly and love mercy, then walk humbly. If we do this, we will be blameless and can face the scorn of those that rail against us.

Be good, Micah 6:8 good, both in Haiti, and here at home. It’s a start.

2010-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I tucked my planner under my arm, opened the umbrella, held tight to a cup of coffee, and headed into the rain. 20 feet from the front door, the umbrella inverted in the wind, I dropped my planner on the wet ground, and then sloshed coffee all over my pants. A great start to a new week!

The nice thing about wind and rain is that there is always sun around the corner. By the time I post this blurb, the sun will have returned and all will be right in the world. This is a good thing – because our high school students are on “Intersession” which is similar to a college interim. Students signed up for one class for one week. Here’s a list of what is offered:

Astronomy (on-site, field trips, and a night at the telescope)
Dipped in Chocolate (on-site, field trips, tasting, and learning the art of making…)
Drivers Ed (on-site, required class for a driving permit)
Food, Folks, and Fun (local, cooking with Grant Padmos)
Martial Arts Mania (local, a taste of five different disciplines)
Music (on-site, exposure to music around the world)
New York, New York (off-site, the big apple)
Trekking the Sierras (off-site, winter gems in the Sierra)
Worship Seminar (off-site, major symposium with students across the continent)
Yosemite (off-site, the most beautiful spot in the world)

Intersession week provides an opportunity for alternative teaching and learning. Students expand relationships and get to know the teacher in a new way. It is the type of learning experience that is remembered for a lifetime! Don’t you wish you were in high school again?

I will accompany students to a Worship Seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 150 students from the U.S. and Canada will join international students in a symposium of worship!

Not even a Monday soaking could dampen my excitement for this Intersession week. The sun always shines…

Sticker Shock

2010-01-12T14:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Our oldest, Jacalyn, is engaged and preparing for a June wedding. Before you offer your congratulations, hold on. If your oldest child is not yet married, I suggest you sit down before reading on…..

According to CostofWedding.com, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is $20,398!!!! And that doesn’t include rings and the honeymoon! If you are a parent of a daughter, I suggest you lay down with a cold cloth on your forehead before reading on….

Tradition dictates that the parents of the bride are responsible for most of the costs!!

You can get up now. Jaci is committed to a meaningful and classy wedding event at half the cost. She’s planning a garden wedding and reception. Friends are helping with catering. Her dress will likely be pre-worn. You get the idea. There are literally hundreds of books and websites that offer ways to save money on weddings. Both Jaci and my wife Pat are frugal and creative when it comes to cutting costs. We can do this. We can do this….

Life is full of “sticker shock.” I haven’t bought a new car in 20 years but I’ve always had a car. “Camping Across America” has been our family vacation theme over the years and we wouldn’t trade our adventures for anything. Actually, my family is RICH! All my children experienced quality education in Christian schools. We love each other and love God. We’ve always had enough “stuff.” And Jaci will marry a fine Christian man and I will help to pay for the occasion!

I guess I will accept your congratulations after all.

Find Jesus

2009-12-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

At one of the many Christmas parties I attended this season, those in attendance were encouraged to share a heartwarming story about Christmases past. Almost every person had a story that included a tender family moment, except one. My friend had a very different story. He said his early Christmases were about getting presents and, when he was older, about getting drunk! His first Christmas after finding Jesus was illuminating. “For the first time, I experienced the joy in JOY TO THE WORLD; I appreciated the still silent LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM; I listened with awe to the message of HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING.” His Christmas, and each Christmas since, had and has meaning.

How about you? What is your Christmas story? My prayer is that you will find Jesus. I promise that your Christmases will never be the same…..

Heroes

2009-12-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Who are your heroes? Martin Luther King was a hero in that he championed the cause of equal rights for African-Americans and all groups that find themselves in the minority. Abraham Lincoln was a hero because he stood on principle and held this country together during civil war. Mother Teresa was a heroine because she was the “hands of Christ” to the poorest of the poor. I watched a movie recently in which the “nerdy” man gathered up enough courage to stand up for his girl. She kissed him and whispered in his ear, “You’re my hero!” (Oh, please!)

The problem with heroes is that they are human. If you look closely at their lives, you see that they were/are sinful people. Tiger Woods reached “icon” status with his athletic achievement coupled with an image of generosity and integrity – but we recently learned a different story. Many sports stars are considered heroes but there are too many “fallen heroes” on the field (and golf course). King David had an affair with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered – and he is a Biblical hero!?

I guess we want our children to know that heroes (like Martin Luther King) or Biblical heroes (like David) are just people like you and me. It’s important to distinguish between the heroic act and the rest of the fallen person. We should encourage our kids to model themselves after some particular trait or action of the hero: Be faithful like Abraham or persistent in adversity like MLK. Encourage your children to see heroes around them: a pastor, coach, or neighbor. Heroes provide a model for each of us to emulate, hopefully a picture of godly character, that inspires use to do something greater than ourselves. And don’t forget that there is just one perfect hero. Jesus Christ!

World View

2009-12-04T10:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
My wife recounted a discussion she overheard in her workplace, a local public school. The topic was whether or not to use the word “History” in any school literature. To some, the word is inappropriate because it suggests there is a God. It is His-story and therefore should be called something else….

Some issues, by their very nature, cannot be considered without a world view to guide one’s thinking. In Walnut Creek, for example, we are serious about protecting our trees, especially oaks! Why? Because oaks are historic, majestic, and uniquely suited to our climate, but are disappearing within our city limits. Most local people believe that oaks are worthy of our protection, no matter what their religion or political bent. But why? I have an acquaintance who believes that god IS the tree. If pushed to the extreme, she will tell you that the oak tree has as much right to existence as any human being. This is her world view and frames her approach to protecting the oak – at all costs. Contrast this with the Christian world view. God created the cosmos, including the oak tree, and mankind IN HIS IMAGE. Naturally, the Christian respects what God has created and works to preserve the oak tree. But if you have to decide between the oak and the human, the human always wins. So, my acquaintance and I agree, for the most part, on the importance of protecting oak trees in our community. But at some point, our world views collide and we find ourselves on opposite sides.

Our Christian world view is so important to us, that we reorganize our portfolios and commitments to send our children to CCCS. We want our children to ask “Why?” and to use a Christian world view to find answers. When our middle school students are taught sex education, parents know that we stress God’s plan for relationships, marriage, and intimacy. Can this be taught in a neutral environment? Of course not! When high school students read a Hemmingway novel, they probe the author’s motives and agendas in addition to recognizing his classic style. Our children learn to “test everything and hold on to what is good.” And when we consider History, we see God’s sovereign hand throughout the ages. It IS HIS-STORY, no matter what you call it. Our Christianity frames our thinking and our actions. It is who we are!

B.J. Huizenga

Heart of Thanks

2009-11-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I’m so grateful for Thanksgiving because I need to be reminded, even forced at times, to look at my life with a heart of thanks. I have to admit that I have a tendency to want more, expect more. I measure success by what I haven’t accomplished and what I don’t have. Thanksgiving helps me to focus on what is important and to count my blessings. A heart of thanks also strengthens my faith so I can confidently face the future. A heart of thanksgiving helps me to experience peace; a peace that passes understanding.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t thank God for pain, suffering, and death. I thank God that He experienced these things – for you and me! I thank God that He redeems even the most distressing experiences and turns them around for good! God loves, God cares, God provides. I just need to develop a heart of thanks so I can see it!

My prayer for you (and for me), this Thanksgiving, is that you will develop a heart of thanks that enables you to see and feel how God has blessed you. I pray that you will see and appreciate how God has redeemed your life. I pray that you will experience peace. And then, with a heart of thanks, I pray that you will celebrate God’s goodness with a feast of Thanksgiving!

B.J. Huizenga

Cycles

2009-11-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new?” It was here already, long ago; it was here before out time… (Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10)

Dare I say I am old enough to remember fashions that have come and gone – and come again!? In my first year of teaching, I bought a pair of “Angel’s Flight” pants, tight at the hips, so tight they didn’t bother with pockets, and big bells at the bottom. I remember the fabric as some double knit blend. I thought I was on the cusp of original design; the young teacher – and fashion plate! Later that year in my History class, I displayed a picture of WWI American sailors standing on the prow of a ship. What were they wearing? Big bells! New clothes were not the norm for a young man living on a teacher’s salary so I kept those pant too long. Years later, a middle school student, sitting on the ground as I walked by, flicked the bottom of my flared pant leg and said, “Bonggggg…” I retired the big bells. You know the rest of the story, bell bottoms have come again – and gone. I was shocked when they came back! If God gives me strength, I’ll be shocked again. It’s the nature of things.

We see cycles in God’s Creation like the water cycle and seasons. We see cycles in teaching techniques as well. A teacher recently attended a seminar in which each attendee was given an electronic “slate.” The new technology provided instant communication for the instructor, giving her an immediate read on whether or not each student could give an answer. I was reminded of my mom’s story of individual slates that each student used in her one-room school house, equipped with a piece of chalk and an old rag. There is nothing new under the sun; it was done before.

We have a God of cycles! And I’m not talking Harley Davidson…. God created mankind in a world of perfection. Man blew it. God makes us perfect again through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! There is a sense of peace that comes with the pattern of cycles in life. The fad of jeans that hang almost to the crotch – will soon disappear. And that wayward child will come back as God has promised. Time and patience are needed. What has been will be, and what has been done will be done again.

B.J. Huizenga

PS What prompted this topic, you might ask? I bought a new sport coat and wore it to school last Tuesday. It’s brown corduroy with leather patches at the elbows. I haven’t owned a corduroy jacket for what, 30 years!?

Wedding Song

2009-10-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I sang a duet with my daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding in Battle Creek, MI a few weekends ago. I’d never sung a praise song at a wedding before and wondered how it would work. It did work - and turned out to be quite the experience! Let me explain.

It is hard to practice together when you are separated by 2,000 miles so Jaci and I prepared individually and practiced together in the car as we made the hour drive from Grand Rapids to Battle Creek. The rehearsal was a bit rocky, but we put on a face of confidence and professionalism, despite our discomfort. How would this go??

We maintained our façade as we sat toward the front, feeling butterflies but excitement as well. The ceremony was beautiful and the pastor’s message was very effectively delivered. He talked of commitment in a marriage that would be stressed by peaks and valleys. The body language of many indicated that they understood good times and bad times. Then the bride and groom expressed their vows including the traditional phrase “For better or for worse….” Our song was to follow the exchanging of rings - but that is when things fell apart. The bride got antsy and started her vow without the pastor’s prompt, “With this ring...” The pastor, startled, replied, “With this ring…,” and both realized the mistake with a laugh. The bride took the ring from the pastor’s hand and promptly dropped it on the wood floor where it rolled, seemingly forever, down the steps and in a circle, while the best man followed and the bride giggled. As the audience politely laughed, Jaci and I looked at each other, then to the pianist, with the unvoiced question, “Are they done?” “Is it time to sing?”

The piano introduction answered the question. We’re on! We sang with surprised smiles. I started in solo, Jaci joined in harmony, then the other way around. We looked at each other as we sang, to stay on beat and in tune. Father, daughter, blending, eye contact, passion, and appropriate words! As we sang, everything fell into place and the words to that praise song made perfect sense, like the pastor’s message and the vows of “for better or for worse….”

Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name
Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be' Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name

Parents Weekend

2009-10-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Some of you may have noticed that I was gone last Friday through Monday. Pat and I scheduled a whirlwind visit to Western Michigan. We had three goals: visit Ryan and Emily at Calvin College for “Parents Weekend,” sing with daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding, and visit Pat’s Dad who recently moved into an assisted care facility in Kalamazoo. Missions Accomplished!

Emily is a freshman at Calvin, living in a dorm called Huizenga Hall (no relation, just weird coincidence). We visited a Religion class and learned about Old Testament sacrifice (Yuk!). The highlight was sitting in on her Honors Biology class, watching her phage research, and meeting her fellow students. She’s playing on the Lacrosse team!

Ryan is a junior and Secondary Education Major. We visited his education class with a professor that (get ready!) taught ME when I was at Calvin in the late ‘70’s. Ryan is doing well and will make a great teacher some day, according to his professor. “Like father, like son…” We watched a Capella rehearsal, the premier choral group at Calvin, and heard some fantastic music.

Calvin is impressive and Emily and Ryan seem to thrive there. But the most fun we had was a barbecue with our family and Ryan’s house mates - and a few other students who smelled the food and happened to wander in. It was an energetic and joyful event. I can’t remember laughing so hard! It is a tremendous blessing for Pat and me to know that our children have good friends.

The family attended the wedding of my nephew. Jaci and I sang the familiar praise song “Blessed Be Your Name.” I wondered how this would “play” in a wedding…. but it fit beautifully and I am happy to say we pulled it off! The reception was at Gull Lake Country Club where the lake shimmered in the moonlight with fall colors as a backdrop. Beautiful.

We picked up Pat’s Dad form Park Village Pines and brought him to church on Sunday. He is surrounded by family and friends. His short term memory loss has robbed him of his independence but not his integrity. He is a special man. We cried when we left him.

So many have asked, “Where were you last weekend?” and/or “How did it go?” Well, now you know! Thanks for asking. You are my friends. We are connected by being part of the Contra Costa Christian family. I am home again!

God's Work

2009-10-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Many of you know that I come from a large family. Of the four boys, two became pastors, one an engineer, and the other an educator. All of us had to wrestle with a question, “Am I a Christian teacher (pastor, engineer) or a teacher who is Christian?”

Music was a big part of our lives. Two brothers are song writers; all of us are singers. We all had to ask the question, “Am I a Christian singer (song writer, performer, producer, etc.) or am I a singer who is Christian?” What is the difference, you ask? From my perspective, a Christian singer sings Christian songs to largely Christian audiences – like George Beverly Shea or Steven Curtis Chapman. A singer who is Christian probes different genres and performs for a diverse audience. I recently saw a PBS special about the gospel influence in Elvis Presley’s career. Was he a Christian?

I think the brothers all decided that we fell in the “singer who is a Christian” category. Our resumes include choral music, gospel, barbershop, country western, and rock and roll. It’s not always easy, however. My older brother went through a phase when he changed the lyrics on some of his best love songs to Christian themes. A song about a couple faced with divorce became The Lord’s Prayer. I protested. Why? Because, I think his love songs deal with realities faced by everyone, but they always acknowledge that God is bigger than any “cheatin’ heart” or “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”

Not everyone will become a pastor, missionary, or Christian School teacher, but every Christian will do God’s work wherever he is, whatever she does. It is my dream that a CCCS alum will one day write and perform a #1 hit in which the lyrics are consistent with our Christian world view, or write a best seller love story that promotes God’s way, or creates a multi-million corporation that is known for ethical business practices. The dream is already happening. At CCCS, we partner with parents to prepare students to be Builders of God’s Kingdom, wherever they go, whatever they do. Thousands of CCCS graduates are in a variety of professions, across the world, doing their work in a way that honors God. And yes, a few are pastors and Christian school teachers, too!

B.J. Huizenga

Welcome Home

2009-10-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Two months ago, Bert (my wife’s dad) moved to Park Village Pines. His short –term memory is severely limited and it is not safe for him to live alone in his house anymore. His house. The one he built with his own hands along with his father after World War II for his new bride, Grace; the house where he raised four children, put them through Christian school and college; the house that he shared with Grace for 20 years after retirement until she died from cancer. He remembers his house in detail but not the name of his new home, Park Village Pines. “Is this a hotel? Who’s taking care of the house? Is my car in the garage?” “No, Dad, this is your home now.” Bert, a special man after God’s own heart is trying to make the best of things.

This past week, my mom, Tena moved to Quail Park. She shared in the decision to move since the neurologist told her that her brain is shrinking. This talented woman, this matriarch, this composer and musician, this woman of faith can’t drive anymore because she gets lost. She forgets that she put a pot to boil on the stove. She takes her once-a-day medication three times. She knows this and wants to find a place to call home that will provide safety, dignity and quality of life. But she must leave her house, her piano, her keepsakes, the bed she shared with Bart for almost 50 years, the avocado tree. She is giving up her independence.

Where is our home? Father Bert and Mother Tena would tell you that there is a mansion prepared for us. They see the door. They yearn to hear Jesus say, “Welcome home!”

B.J. Huizenga

Spiritual Retreat

2009-09-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I attended the High School Spiritual Retreat on September 16-18 at Ponderosa Camp, part of the Mt. Hermon complex in the redwoods near Santa Cruz. It was fantastic! The core of the retreat was four worship seminars. Each seminar had two essential components, worship in song and worship around the Word. John Yoo, on staff at Berkeley Presbyterian, headed up the worship in song as the lead singer and guitarist of an impressive praise band from his church. Our own Mr. Hatch (teacher, art) was on piano and Alan Kim (senior) played drums. I wish that each parent could be a “fly on the wall” to observe and experience this unique and moving time of praise! I know you would be impressed. Darren Hsuing (pronounced shung), recent graduate from Westminster Seminary, spoke on HOPE. His delivery was complex, witty, and provocative.
Each day was tightly orchestrated with events. Staff and student leaders supervised team building games and activities. Meals were served in the cafeteria. Free time was short but sweet, including swimming, paint ball battles, and a ride on the zip line! Evening activities included a game of “capture the flag” and a bonfire. The bonfire was accompanied by student testimonials. Cabins had a chaperone and up to eight students. I enjoyed my cabin of boys.
The Spiritual Retreat not only serves to get our student body on the same page spiritually, it also serves to bond the students together as “family.” At the bonfire, student after student spoke of how CCCHS has provided acceptance, good friends that last a lifetime, and teachers that care…. WE ARE FAMILY! I learned a few other things at the retreat: Our kids can SING! Our teachers are awesome. Girls aren’t the only ones that talk until 1:30 a.m. And finally, stay on the trail! (Or pay the consequences…)
The Spiritual Retreat is a tradition at CCCS that is unique and special. I am honored to be part of it.

B.J. Huizenga

PS Thanks to Tara Gelston who managed and organized the experience. Thanks to the high school staff for two and a half 24 hour days of intense interaction with students. Thanks to Mr. Prouty and Mr. Finley who volunteered as “staff members” for the entire experience. Thanks to the student leadership that organized team building events. Thank God!

Safety

2009-09-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Don’t you love our school setting? There is a “feel” of safety in the neighborhood and school. However, the Jaycee Dugard story and recent reports of a “lurker” around area schools has everyone on “high alert.” How do we respond?
I love to see parents on campus helping in the classroom, supervising at recess, chaperoning on a field trip, driving to a sports event, and volunteering in so many ways. These are indicators of a strong school. In the interest of security, however, it is imperative that even parents follow policy and check in the office when coming on campus. Teachers are encouraged to remind any adult, parent or otherwise to “check in at the office.” This is a place for parents at times, but between the beginning and ending of school, anyone other than students or staff needs to check in and obtain a visitors badge.
This check in system does not apply to the morning drop off time when so many parents are on campus to start the day or during the pick up period at the end of the school day. During those times, there are administrators and teachers on duty to observe all comings and goings. Our extended day care staff also expects that any visitors will report to the day care room until the 6:00 p.m. closure.
We are serious about safety and have procedures for students and parents to promote a safe campus. These are our children! We won’t panic - but we will be vigilant! Thanks for your cooperation and support.

B.J. Huizenga

Birds

2009-09-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Pat and I are empty nesters. Our son Ryan and daughter Emily left for college and we are without a child in the home for the first time in 26 years. Our last has flown the nest. The silence is deafening….

[moment...]

Okay, now that I’ve had a moment, have you noticed how often birds are used as metaphors for family situations? My kids have flown the coop. Emily is a free bird; or is she caged by college life? I can so vividly remember my wife’s nesting instinct before Emily was born, flittering here and there, preparing for the moment. We watched Emily grow from a duckling to a graceful swan soaring through school work and sports events. Now she’s gone. Will the homing instinct kick in?

But this is no time for brooding. Someone might say that my wife is no spring chicken – but that someone is cuckoo! This old bird still thinks she’s the cat’s meow! We’re together again like two love birds, rising from the gloom of an empty nest like phoenix from the ashes! Watch us fly!

B.J. “Blue Jay” Huizenga

PS Next week I promise to be serious, but for the time being, humor is what keeps me going.

Growing in Grace

2009-09-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
You can read through our Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) on our website. One of them is a hard to grasp:

CCCS graduates will be able to integrate faith and practice from a Christian world-life view as they…grow in their faith by…understanding what it means to grow in grace.

What does it mean to “grow in grace?” I seem to use the terms forgiveness, mercy, and grace interchangeably – but they are different. Forgiveness is cancelling a debt and releasing the person from guilt. Mercy is withholding judgment that is deserved. Grace is giving abundant blessing that is not deserved! We, Christians, experience grace through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Grace also means God’s sufficiency or fullness. II Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 9:8 reads, “God is able to make all grace abound to you so that, in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Growing in Grace means to identify and experience the grace that God gives every day. We receive grace. It also means to tap into God’s grace in such a way that WE can show grace to those around us. We give grace.

Growing in Grace is our school theme this year. It is our hope that our students will come to understand what this means. We will use the following verses to help guide us along:
I Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
II Peter 1:5-8, 10 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love… For if you do these things, you will never fall…

B.J. Huizenga

PS Does grace have a special meaning for you? I’d love to hear about it!