On the Trail of the Great Adventure!

Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.  When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
     "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.  "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said.     2 Kings 2:8-10b

    Elisha asked a double portion of the Spirit from Elijah.  In another time Solomon asked for wisdom when David was gone.  When the mantle of leadership is passed from one to another, what should one hope for?  It is my belief that we find no better models for life than in the Word of God.  As Karl Birnstein moves from Executive Director to “consultant”, I find myself asking our Lord for that Spirit, for God’s wisdom.  Please pray our Lord’s guidance for me.

     It has been a wonderful experience so far to gather information, to meet people, to try to understand the geography of this fascinating two-state metro area!  I have told people I am on my L³ tour.  I’m listening and looking and learning.  Lutheran High School of Kansas City has been blessed by our Lord in so many ways over the past 30 years.  The blessings have been multiplied over these last six years.  And now…..

     And now as I begin to put all of the pieces together that tell the story of our school from 1980 through today, I am grounded in the belief that we must establish a specific plan for the future—a road map detailing our direction for Lutheran secondary education in the Kansas City metro area well into that future.

     One of my favorite all-time Christian music artists is Steven Curtis Chapman.  One of my favorite all-time songs of his is “The Great Adventure”.  The chorus of that song tells us to saddle up our horses—we’ve got a trail to blaze!  The song continues and tells us that we’re heading through the wild blue yonder of God’s amazing grace!  As I look to the Lord for His measure of Spirit and wisdom on this journey, I know He will be our compass!  Won’t you join me on this trail?

Back to the Beginning

So why does this new guy want to write a blog?  Well, in many years of presenting chapels to students, I’ve learned that quite often my message is a reflection of something that I need to be aware of or that I would like to refocus my efforts upon.  But recently I also read that a blog can be the way in which one can build a community.  Conversations can be ignited.  Context can also be given to our administrative communications.  Besides all of that, you’ll be able to learn a little bit about this new inhabitant of the Executive Director’s office.  This blogging thing seems like a fun thing to do—so check back every week or so for my version of the Knightly News!

I didn’t get to start in the beginning of this school year back in August, so I’d like to return to that mindset for this posting.  Let’s go back to the Word of God that is the basis for the school theme for the year.  I’m sure you’ve seen the theme—everytime you open up Edline there it is:  “Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3).   How appropriate it is that what Jesus is talking about in this verse is how He is giving knowledge to humanity—the knowledge of God and with it, the gift of eternal life—glorious salvation!  And now, how great is it that as an educational ministry, whose center is also based upon sharing knowledge, we at LHS find ways to tell about the Triune God in each and every facet of school life!  We are blessed in so many ways that the strong foundation of our school is rooted in the Word of life for all of us.  The InterVarsity Press Bible Commentary states that John 17 contains the most extensive prayer of Jesus in the Bible—His prayer before He completes His mission of ultimate sacrifice on behalf of every single human who has ever lived or will live on this earth.  Again, during this school year, what a blessing to partner with parents, friends, Lutheran grade schools, churches and even the students themselves in witnessing to the One who was sent!  I think this year is going to be an amazing journey!