Character Moment #6 – October 10, 2007

This week we begin play in the Trinity League. As a member school of this outstanding league we want to uphold some very high standards as we attend and host games throughout the year. We join each school of the league, J Serra, Mater Dei, Rosary, Santa Margarita, Servite, and St. John’s Bosco as schools that have high standards and strive for excellence in all that we do. Each game we play will test our athletes and coaches to perform and compete at the highest level.

As exciting as each game will be, we want to be sure that our enthusiasm does not compromise who we are as representatives of Christ love for His people. I know our athletes will play hard and that our coaches will help their teams grow in character on and off the field. That same drive needs to be evident by all that attend the games and cheer on their friends and fellow Lancers.

Our state athletic association, CIF, has issued some rules for good behavior that can serve as our guide. These guidelines should set the minimum standard for our behavior at games. The full list will be posted in your classrooms and the gym. Some of the encouragements that are listed include:

• Show Class — Live and cheer with class. Be a good sport. Be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity, compliment extraordinary performance, and show sincere respect for all competitors.
• Don’t show Disrespectful Conduct — Don’t engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport. Do not participate in any negative or demeaning cheers.
• Show Respect for Officials — Treat game officials with respect. Don’t complain or argue about calls or decisions during or after an athletic event.
• Show Respect for Coaches — Treat coaches with respect at all times. Recognize that they have team goals beyond those of one athlete. Do not shout instructions to players from the stands. Let the coaches coach.
• Show Respect for Fellow Spectators — Display respect for all other spectators. Do not insult or fight with other fans. Wait for breaks in the action before leaving or returning to your seat.

I know some of these games can generate adrenaline and strong emotion, but we need to remember that we are representing Jesus Christ through our actions, and we are also representing Orange Lutheran High School. Last night in the girls volleyball match against Mater Dei, we had great crowd support, and except for an isolated incident of poor sportsmanship, our fans added much to the environment. However, two weeks ago several in our student section chose to “boo” the Los Alamitos cheer leaders when they came over at halftime. That is unacceptable. That message that is sent in that situation is always negative.

I want you to be proud to be Lancers. Let’s do that with loud positive support that adds to an event, not take away from it.

We have a great opportunity given to us at every game to show the visiting schools and their fans that we are different for Him. That witness may help others get to know that you can follow Christ and still compete at a high level.

Great Gala

The 5th annual gala held Saturday night, October 6, was truly a night to remember. I was so proud to be a part of our school community. The fellowship, the auction, the entertainment, and the food all made for an outstanding evening.

The talent of our students here at Orange Lutheran never ceases to amaze me. From our singers to instrumentalists, our musicians are exceptional. We will be enjoying several repeat performances in chapel on Thursday, October 11.

A special thanks to all who gave of their time, talents, and treasure to make for a wonderful evening. To God be the glory!

Character Moment #5 – October 3, 2007

Last week I spoke about the importance of a leader being a good communicator. I want to share one more quick thought on this. Communication, as I stated, is speaking, writing and listening. I had shared that listening was sometimes the toughest. A new friend of mine shared with me the following thoughts about listening.

He writes, “The word LISTEN is an Anagram to the word SILENT. During my presentations I talk about the value of being SILENT as you LISTEN. Keeping your mind, body and soul SILENT as you LISTEN during life improves your ability to communicate on many levels.

Some of the most influential leaders in my life have demonstrated this well. They are silent as they take in and comprehend what is being told to them. Once a leader has all the information available and understands the situation fully, then they can begin to successfully work through any given situation.”[1]

These were great words to dwell on. Being a good listener is about being silent and letting the other party speak. In our faith walk, there are times it is critical for us to “be still” as the Bible says, “and know that He is God.”[2]

There is a great story from 1 Kings 19 about the prophet Elijah. Elijah had just killed the prophets of Baal and then he fled to get away from the evil King Ahaz and his wife Jezebel. He came to a cave after travelling for a long time and God met him there.

“Then the word of God came to him: "So Elijah, what are you doing here?" "I've been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies," said Elijah. "The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me.” “Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?"[3] Elijah again explained, and God revealed to him that he wasn’t alone, but He had preserved 7000 others who hadn’t bowed down to Baal.

Being still for God and listening for His voice is a key character trait for any Christian leader.

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[1] Lieutenant Patrick Thayer from the Orange Police Department

[2] Psalm 46:10 NIV

[3] 1 Kings 19:10-14 (The Message)

Tips on Text Messaging

Dear Mr. Pinick,

I have a quick question that seems to be coming up with quite a few of us Moms! How much do you feel, is too much text messaging? I understand that it is one of the primary social networks of teens etc… but it seems like it goes on constantly (except in class of course). So far, I’m not seeing my student’s grades suffer or a lack of face to face social skills but it still seems like a kind of obsession with the kids. Any guidance would be appreciated.

A concerned Mom

Dear Mom,

Several things can be checked on and you mentioned a couple to see if your child is texting too much. Are their grades suffering? Do you notice their one-to-one skills diminishing? How late in the evening is the texting occurring? These are areas to monitor. Texting is the way so many of our kids converse, my own included. I think you should set boundaries, such as no texting (sending or receiving) after a certain time in the evening, or during dinner, or at inappropriate times. You can monitor all of this by looking at the bill each month. The time messages are sent and received are listed. Remind your kids that cell phones are a privilege, not a right. :-)

You might also want to purchase only a certain number of messages a month and then have the kids be responsible for any overages. At ten cents for each extra message, this could encourage more responsible use as well. Here is an article I found from the Seattle Times on this topic. I hope it helps.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2003644903_textsleep31.html

be God’s,

Gregg Pinick

Character Moment #4 – September 26, 2007

The third leadership trait that I’d like to highlight today is communication. A leader needs to be one who is a good communicator. It has been said that communication is life’s number one skill.[i] I believe it is fundamental to being successful in one’s life. So much of who we are is based upon our ability to be able to communicate our points of view in a positive way.

Communication sometimes is broken down into two areas: speaking and writing. What I have learned over the years is that being a good listener is just as vital as the other two. Many times more is communicated to others when you spend time listening to them instead of trying to fix their problems.

How do you get better at communicating? For some it comes very natural, even too easily. But for most people, speaking in front of people just takes practice. Even though you might not always feel comfortable doing it, challenge yourself to accept the opportunities to speak to others when asked. That might be as simple as helping lead the prayer in your classroom or at home during dinner.

People become better writers by writing. Journaling is good practice, and a safe place to express yourself. Many adults keep journals and look back on them from time to time to help clarify their thoughts.

Listening sometimes is the toughest, because we all have the tendency to want to put our two cents worth in on a conversation. Being a good listener though is a valuable trait. As you grow older and develop deeper relationships, you’ll see how listening is something to be valued.

Our faith walk grows as we listen to God. It grows as we speak with Him. And, it grows when we can write our thoughts down about Him and reflect on those words.

David communicated his love for God when he wrote Psalm 8[ii]

1O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! …
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

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[i] http://www.bteducation.org/content/listening_school.html

[ii] New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Turning Right from the Left Turn Lane?

Several parents have asked me if it is okay to turn right onto Santiago Boulevard from the left hand turn lane when exiting the Orange Lutheran parking lot. My answer to them has been yes with the following disclaimers. It is imperative that the car turning right on the inside lane is aware of your actions. You should always use you signal indicators. And finally, you should be sure that no pedestrians or bicycle riders are coming up against the traffic on Santiago, either on the sidewalk or on the street.

There are those times that exiting to the right is the only option to keep traffic flowing smoothly, especially when the center turn lane on Santiago is full, prohibiting left turns.

Thank you for your cooperation and safety awareness.

Character Moment #3 – September 19, 2007

Another character trait that all leaders possess is respect. The true leader is respectful of others. Respect really deals with the value we place on someone. If we respect someone, we communicate that we value them and hold them in high regard. We try to build them up, not tear them down.

A better measure for respect is how we act towards a person that is weaker than ourselves or a person we don’t like. It is easy to respect someone like a boss or a person in a position of authority over ourselves (a teacher or a parent.) It is much more difficult to respect someone smaller, weaker, and younger than ourselves. When a person does show respect to a person of less stature, it means more, because they have nothing to gain from the relationship by being nice.

When you have authority, you shouldn’t lord it over someone else. Jesus taught this concept to His disciples. His model was that of a servant leader. Serving others is a way to measure your respect for them. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:5-8[i], “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

The legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, once said, “Respect a man, and he will do all the more.” He knew that people will do more for you when they feel respected by you.

It is my hope that our respect for one another, for others outside our community, and for the property God gives to us to use will grow this year. Being known as a respectful person is a trait that will help you in many ways in the future.

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[i] New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society