Pastor’s NewsViews
Tim Edwards, Pastor
First Baptist Church Highlands

It’s a brand new school year for students in public and parochial schools. Even home-schoolers are ending vacations and getting back in the routines. While there are many options in education, parents are primarily accountable for the training of their own children. One of the civic responsibilities in every community is funding a quality public education system. This undertaking has been institutionalized in the USA since the early decades of our history.
Education of the next generation is a costly proposition. School districts nationwide face significant budget challenges as the 2010-2011 school year begins. A new ceiling has recently been established for public school construction costs. The Robert F. Kennedy Community School in Los Angeles will open next month with approximately 4,200 students. The price tag is $578 million dollars and far exceeds costs for other pricey schools already constructed in that region. Approximately 1 billion dollars has allocated for the construction of 3 new schools within the past 5 years in the Los Angeles area. The budget of constructing and maintaining public education is high, but the cost factor of training the children is not solely measured in dollars and cents.

The greatest asset in providing for the children in any community is the input of parents and families. Parents give the greatest gift by investment of time and energy in meeting every need of children. These needs are not just educational, but include addressing the emotional, physical, and spiritual training of the next generation. Regardless of the venue, accountability for instruction of the total person is parental. The best ally for parents in fulfilling the responsibility of equipping kids for success is the local church. First Highlands is an ally for every family in our area as we teach God's Word.
Yes, education is costly and the greatest investment is a commitment as moms and dads to equip families with spiritual truth. Solomon gives God-breathed insight about real wisdom in the poetry textbook of ancient Israel. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10)…. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother (Proverbs 10:1)...He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. (Proverbs 14:27)

This instruction is far more valuable than even a 578 million dollar school. Be an example in Godly wisdom. That gift is priceless!

The consequences of the April 20th Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent oil spill in the Gulf are impossible to neatly quantify. The greatest tragedy is the loss of human life as 11 persons perished in the explosion. BP has already expended 6.1 billion dollars in efforts to cap the well and clean up the effects on the environment. BP has also pledged 20 billion dollars to a fund to compensate those whose livelihood are directly affected by the disaster. A first designation of 3 billion dollars has now been escrowed. The well has been capped but the final 100 feet to a permanent seal was to be accomplished this week. Overcoming this disaster has not been accomplished quickly nor can any one person or entity take credit. Cooperation has been tenuous, but thousands of people have worked for a solution.
A return to normalcy demands continued cooperation. When expert John Wright hits the precise spot in drilling the relief well, it will be the culmination of the efforts of thousands of people in the government and in the private sector. Teamwork is essential with each person fulfilling specific roles. Some tasks and decisions have been very public, and others behind the scenes. Blame, anger, and indecision have also been prominent in this 3 month ordeal. Such rhetoric may continue through the next few months as the details as the Gulf region seeks a return to normalcy. For ongoing success, however, cooperation will be the key.
Indeed cooperation is essential in dealing with every challenge in life. Communities, families, schools, offices, refineries, disaster response units, and our First Highlands Family will all be most effective by practicing the principles of cooperation defined in scripture. Paul the apostle challenges believers to this standard and the principle can be applied in every circumstance. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you Eph 4:25-32
At FBCH, let us set the example for cooperation for every group and person in our community to observe. By so doing, we glorify God and make a positive difference in the world.