by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

This past weekend my daughter and I ran a 5k in the Keizer Iris Festival before joining other families on our Crosshill float in the Iris Festival Parade. The event creates a lot of fun memories for my daughter and I. Before the race we got to pick up our neon green race shirts and our customized running bibs with our names printed on them. We saw some old friends and made some new ones as the excitement of race day brings people together around a common purpose for all ages. The real fun is to be had on the actual race course.  We felt like we were on parade as we showcased our talent among the masses jockeying for their seats for the parade to follow. With the music playing loud and random people cheering you on, it’s a wonder why more people don’t run road races... and then it hits you. You finish your first mile and realize you have over two to go and the real work is about to set in. As the dedicated running buddy for my daughter, I try to encourage her and coach her to both have fun and give her best.  

As we were struggling up the last rise before the long home stretch, my daughter’s will began to fade. In her mind we should have been at the finish line minutes ago, and we were simply going to be running forever. With her head down, she asked permission to walk a few steps. As we topped the final rise and she gathered her breath, I told her to lift her head and take a look. Though far off, the finish line was in clear view.  Immediately her face brightened, and her body leaped back into 4th gear as she wondered why she had been walking. Over the next half-mile she had an eager, deliberate, and heightened intensity to meet her goal. At certain seasons of my life, including the end of the school year, I often reflect on Hebrews 12:1-3:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

As parents we have a finish line in mind for our children. The journey that gets us there is often filled with sounds of music and cheering. But there are untold moments when the climb feels steep and even hopeless. In those moments, these verses remind me of three things:

• There are others who have persevered through similar trials and are an encouragement to me.

• Who I am in Jesus is based less on what I do and more on how I respond to what He has already done.
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• The race is long. But the finish line can be seen. My job is to simply keep running my race and leave the results to God. 
 
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– Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

This past Saturday morning, I knew I needed to confirm a ride up to the big city of Boring, Oregon. I was going to pick up a new Activity Bus for our school (thanks to many CCS donors!). And just like any other rational adult in this situation, I asked myself, “Is there a teenage driver with limited experience and suspect judgment available to chauffeur me on high-speed freeways and curvy rural highways?” The Lord provided an answer, as a senior boy was going to be heading up to the Portland area that very same morning to cheer on his friends at the CASCO District Track & Field Championship.  

As I waited on campus to be picked up by this senior student, just like any other rational adult in this situation, I secretly wished, “I hope I get picked up in an obnoxious red sporty foreign compact with over 150,000 miles and a muffler that can be heard for 10 blocks.” And you know what, the Lord provided me with my wish! What a delight! And beyond my wishes, it was a manual transmission, so I was blessed with the constant “smooth” shifting between gears. As we sped down the freeway, just like any other rational adult in this situation, I said to myself, “Now this is fun, but let’s double it.” And as predicted, the Lord provided as we took a detour from my destination to pick up a CCS alum to join the fun. Every principal’s dream: driven around by a bunch of teenagers!

At Crosshill, there are many desired student outcomes that drive the school’s schedule and curriculum within the context of its mission. Some student outcomes focus on academic growth, others on social development, and still others on emotional and spiritual development. To a degree, the success of the programs of CCS and its mission are measured by how these student outcomes are eventually demonstrated in our graduates.

While 'checking your mirrors regularly while driving' are not one of the school’s student outcomes (perhaps it should be), I perceived success in many of the school’s student outcomes during our commute. Here was an alum who had earned a full tuition scholarship to a prestigious Christian university, continuing to grow in his walk with the Lord. He continues to be on a path that asks God, “What did you put me on this planet to accomplish?” And another student, with a clear plan for debt-free college and a plan to continue education at a Bible college. And throughout the drive, they were having articulate and respectful conversation with a school principal about their lives, my life, and everything in between.

What outcomes do you want the lives of your children to demonstrate? To see how they’re doing, how about a drive and some good conversation? But maybe you should do the driving. 
 
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– Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

by Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal

I am rarely more excited than when God allows me greater insight into His word! I live for those moments when scripture comes alive, speaks to my circumstances, and reveals God’s character in a new way. Recently, I prayed and asked how He wanted me to teach May’s character trait of virtue (good moral habits), and was directed to Colossians 3:12-17 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  My next prayer was “perhaps there is an easier, preschooler-friendly metaphor to teach?” 

The answer was a clear “No”, this was the verse I was given. Experience has taught me that when God clearly illuminates a scripture, He has something amazing ahead, so I dug into the passage. Quickly, I realized the virtues listed are character traits we’ve already covered over the last few years. My excitement grew, I love being able to encourage our students with proof of what they have learned and how they have grown in Christ! Now it was time to tackle the metaphor “clothe yourselves…”. 

My thoughts turned to the process of teaching my children how to literally clothe themselves. We struggled through zippers, were diligent until they could successfully button, and persevered until we conquered shoe tying (although there was a respite season of shoes with velcro straps). Looking back, the skills that seemed difficult and lengthy to master at the time are now performed automatically and without need for thought. The key was prioritizing what skills they needed to learn, teaching them how to do it the right way, and providing opportunities for practice. 

The same is true for training our children to clothe themselves with any of the virtues. If we teach what God’s word says about love, model it, and practice it in every situation, it will become like second nature. When we work (and sometimes persevere) through the process of forgiveness each and every time there is an opportunity, we will all learn to quickly forgive. Compassion, thankfulness, and humility will all become automatic responses in our daily walk when we make them a priority to practice consistently. God will do His part to excite, equip and encourage us as we do our part to grow and lead our children in living according to His word.
 
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– Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal

by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

I have fond memories of the summer of 1999 as my soon-to-be bride Chauntel and I made preparations for our wedding. It was my first and only wedding and so I was learning on the fly. As the preparations continued, I noticed that much of the wedding seemed to be geared slightly more toward the bride. As this trend continued, I put my foot down when it came to our wedding unity candle. I insisted that it read “Adam & Chauntel” rather than “Chauntel & Adam”. After this embarrassing conflict, a few wise voices came to my rescue. They opened my eyes to the reality that the wedding is mostly for and about the bride. After some reflection, I gladly and quickly agreed. The remaining wedding preparations were rightfully and joyfully focused on Chauntel the rest of the summer.

The apostle Paul, who ironically never married, had a similar epiphany that he details in I Corinthians Chapter 9. It seems some members in the church did not think Paul should receive any gifts from the church, but thought he should rather pay his own way. Paul cleverly and eloquently outlined with logic and examples how the worker is worthy of his wages. Despite this obvious and sound argument, Paul went on to declare that he would indeed pay his own way. He rightly understood his rights in collecting gifts from the church for his services, but he believed that if he collected or insisted on payment, disagreement on this point might create an obstacle for sharing the gospel. In fact, Paul declared he would rather die than not be able to boast that he had laid down his rights to preach the gospel free of charge!

We live in a culture in which personal rights are often held in highest regard.  Connected to this thinking is the idea that ultimate and complete freedom of choice is the greatest of these rights. The paradox is that the pursuit of ultimate freedom often results in greater slavery. Consider a fish flourishing in the boundary of its liquid habitat. If it decides that it has the right and freedom to pursue a new life on the dock, its flight through the boundary of the water through the air onto the dock rewards it with an uncomfortable and likely death. Jesus himself was the greatest example of laying down one’s rights. By choosing to stay within the boundary of humankind and His destiny on the cross, He purchased eternal life for each one of us.  

As Christian believers, we are no longer slaves to sin but are free indeed. This freedom came at a cost for Jesus, but is free to us. To best exercise this freedom and enjoy all of its benefits, one must understand the boundaries which allow it to flourish. When I entered into marriage with my wife 17 years ago, we agreed to certain boundaries so that our marriage would succeed and grow. I pray for the same commitment and understanding in all areas of my own children’s lives. Our children are learning about boundaries as we model them in many significant areas of our lives. And just as I needed wise counsel to understand the true focus of a wedding, may our children understand the true purpose of boundaries in their lives and the true freedom they produce.
 
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– Adam Kronberger / Superintendent