Term 2: Done and Dusted!

Dear Parents and Students, the past twelve weeks have been quite eventful! We started Term 2 via remote learning on Tuesday, the 14^th of April. On Monday, the 18^th of May, we switched to face-to-face learning under strict hygiene guidelines and on Tuesday, the 9^th of June, life went back to ‘normal’.

We praise God for blessing us with the strength and wisdom we needed to negotiate so much change. I am also humbled by, and grateful for, the incredible team of staff members God has blessed us with. They have graciously adapted to every change and chosen to make the most of every situation. I also want to thank you for the support you have offered your children, especially during lockdown. Our efforts have been a true partnership and I am sure our children will look back on this time with positive memories.

One thing is certain: the past few weeks have taught us that it is not wise to depend on our present circumstances to give us security. All of us have had to deal with the uncertainty of how we are going to cope with the forecasted economic recession and an invisible ‘enemy’. Some of you have had to work through the painful experience of having your livelihood wiped out in a few short weeks. We now have a new ‘normal’, i.e. unpredictable change and the insecurity it can bring. It is obvious when one watches the news that the whole world is ‘on edge’. How do we respond?

May I take a few minutes to encourage you from the Bible? Just before Jesus died on the cross, He warned his disciples that they will experience hardship and persecution. But He went on to say, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33; emphasis mine). Earlier in His earthly ministry He taught that we should not be so obsessed with taking care of their earthly needs “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33), i.e. followers of Jesus need to have a heavenly perspective and understand that “… your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matthew 6:8). God will take care of us.

So who is this God and Father of the Bible¹?

·       He is El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty (Genesis 17:1). Nothing is too hard for Him.

·       He is El Elyon, the Most High God (Genesis 14:18). He created each one of us in His image.

·       He is Adonai, our Lord and Master (Genesis 15:2). He is always in control.

·       He is Yahweh, Lord and Jehovah (Genesis 2:4). His holiness sets Him apart from anyone and anything else in creation.

·       He is Jehovah Nissi, the Lord Our Banner (Exodus 17:15). We can follow Him with confidence.

·       He is Jehovah-Raah, the Lord My Shepherd (Psalm 23). He lovingly takes care of us in the good times and the bad times, leading us through both.

·       He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15:26) spiritual, emotional and physical hurt in ways that will glorify His Name and prepare us for an eternity in His presence when we accept His offer of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

·       He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord Is There (Ezekiel 48:35). When He is our God, He will never leave us or forsake us. We are never alone.

·       He is Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6). He will vindicate us.

·       He is Jehovah Mekoddishkem, the Lord Who Sanctifies You (Exodus 31:13). For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

·       He is El Olam, the Everlasting God (Genesis 21:33). He is worthy of my worship because He is the “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

·       He is Elohim, God (Genesis 1:1). He is sovereignly in control of world history and my place in it.

·       He is Qanna, Jealous of our worship (Exodus 20:5). No-one and nothing else deserves worship except Him, something that will be evident by now if you consider all His Names above.

·       He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14). When things look impossible, like they may for some of us post-COVID-19, be assured: God is faithful – remember Jesus’ promises in Matthew 6:8 and 33 above.

·       He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord Is Peace (Judges 6:24). He is the only source of peace in this troubled world.

·       Last, but not least, He is Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts (1 Samuel 1:3). This name denotes His universal sovereignty over every army, both spiritual and earthly. The Lord of Hosts is the king of all heaven and earth. (Psalm 24:9-10; Psalm 84:3; Isaiah 6:5).

The Tyndale Park Christian School staff and Trust Board are expectantly looking to God, as He is described above, to take care of all of our community’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs both now and forevermore. We know He is faithful and we want to encourage you to patiently and confidently wait on Him.

Conclusion

We hope families will be able to utilise the upcoming school holiday as an opportunity to spend some quality time together. The staff and I hope to take a good break as well since we haven’t really had any time off since the start of the year: we are exhausted! However, we are looking forward to the teaching and learning opportunities Term 3 will bring. Please take some time to read through the notices and main calendar events in the electronic copy of the newsletter: http://www.tyndalepark.school.nz/files/Newsletter-3-Term-2-3-July-2020.pdf. We may need your help!

Thank you for continuing to partner with us. Tyndale Park Christian School assists parents by providing a Christ-centred education that encourages academic excellence and Christian service to the glory of God.

Barend Blom

Principal

Sources:

1. Adapted from https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/name_god.cfm