Character Moment #30 – May 7, 2008

A great lesson in character occurred on April 26 at a women’s softball game between Western Oregon and Central Washington. It was a league game between two universities battling for a chance to go to the playoffs. It was senior day for Western Washington.

In the top of the 2^nd inning, Western Oregon had runners on first and second and a seldom used senior named Sara Tucholsky came to bat. Now Sara had never hit a homerun before, but this time she really connected and the ball sailed over the fence. Her teammates were ecstatic until they realized that Sara had fallen down after touching first base. She had planted wrong and had blown out her knee, and was now beyond first base lying on the ground, writhing in pain.

The other two runners crossed home plate, but the rules were interpreted by the umpires that Sara had to touch all the bases for it to be ruled a homerun. If a member of her own team touched her the homerun would be nullified. Sara would have to get to all the bases without the help of her teammates. The only problem was she could not move. Her coach was going to have to substitute for her and her hit would be ruled a two-run single. Just before he spoke to the umpire, another voice spoke up and said, “Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?” That voice came from Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader from Western Washington, the opposing team.

Mallory and fellow teammate Liz Wallace picked up Sara and carried her to every base, gently touching her foot to the bag. They carried her home, and helped her achieve her first homerun. People that watched the situation cheered and cried because they knew it was even bigger than they had witnessed.

You see, Mallory was a senior too and this was her last chance to make the playoffs in her career. When she helped Sara get home, she did so in spite of the fact that her team would be down by three runs. Mallory and her teammates played the rest of the game to win, but they came up one run short, losing 4-3. Because of their kindness and outstanding character, their team did not advance to the playoffs.

After the game Mallory said, “"I think that happening on Senior Day, it showed the character of our team. … granted I thought of it, but everyone else would have done it. It's something people will talk about for Senior Day. They won't talk about who got hits and what happened and who won; they'll talk about that. And it's kind of a nice way to go out, because it shows what our program is about and the kind of people we have here." [1]

It is great when we hear about people who let their character direct their priorities. What a great lesson for all of us.

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[1] http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?id=3372631

Orange Lutheran has a new Principal

Mrs. Leslie Smith has been named as the new principal of Orange Lutheran High School. Mr. Scott Fogo will become the new Assistant Principal. God has led us two great leaders.

Character Moment #29 – April 30, 2008

A friend of mine told me a story recently about their visit to a restaurant a while back. Sitting close by at a table was a group of high school students. It was a mixed group (guys and girls), and they were just hanging out. They spoke loudly at times, and he could over hear that the language they were using was laced with profanities. It was not a very attractive sight. At one point another customer came up to them and reminded them that they were in a public place and that their language was offensive. The students reacted by rolling their eyes, not saying anything directly, and really trying to ignore the admonishment. My friend said it looked like some in the party were embarrassed and others were too cool to look that way. Pretty typical for some kids when they get caught messing up.

I believe we have those moments in our life when we get a chance to put our character training to the test. It is in those times that our true character comes out. Out in public, on our own, where nobody knows us, we let our true character shine through.

I think it is easier to follow the rules per say in an environment where you know someone could be watching, like here at school. The ability to resist acting in an inappropriate way is sometimes easier in that environment. Our true tests though are when we are out in public, where we act a certain way because that’s who we are, not necessarily because we are supposed to act a specific way.

Think back to those times when you go out with friends in public. How do you act when there are no parents or coaches, or teachers around? Is it consistent with the model that you want to portray as a child of God?

Many of you will have a great opportunity to show your true character this weekend as you attend the prom. You will interact with many people who will only know you through what they see you do and hear you say. Let your witness be a light to those around you.

Character Moment #28 – April 23, 2008

Yesterday I had the great opportunity to attend Coach Poncy’s memorial service. It was an amazing celebration of a man who touched so many people with Christ’s love. He was a model of what excellence in Christian character is about.

As I listened to the various speakers, some friends, some family, even our own Coach Preus, I started to write down the words they used to describe him. What a tribute it was. They used words and phrases like…

He was a person that represented trust, honor, integrity, and respect. He understood the responsibility he had as a call to duty, as a call to serve others.

His family said he left a legacy over four generations. He modeled accountability, care for others, and remembered the little things that made others feel important. He shared the good news.

He was a mentor, a life coach, and a prayer warrior. He valued friendships, relationships, and loved kids. He was a leader that would be followed anywhere. He was trustworthy, an encourager, a teacher, and a coach. He made everyone feel good. He wanted everyone to be a part of the team. People said they were better because they had him in their lives.

He was a peacemaker. He always had time for others. He used every moment of every day to accomplish something. He was inclusive – not exclusive. He was compelled by Christ. He was consistent in his life and ministry. They were one and the same.

Coach Poncy affected so many people with the good news of Jesus Christ. He would want us all to do the same.

The words of Hebrews 13:7 (NIV) remind us of how we should remember Coach Poncy, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. “

Coach Poncy was a person to imitate. For those of you that are still hurting from his loss or from other things in your life, may you feel the presence of Christ, and be surrounded by His peace.

Character Moment #27 – April 16, 2008

Today is a tough day for many in our Lancer community. One of our long time track and cross country coaches, Mr. Guy Poncy, died yesterday afternoon after working out at Peters Canyon. Coach Poncy and his wife had two daughters that graduated from Orange Lutheran and had been a part of the Orange Lutheran family as a coach, substitute teacher, and parent for many years.

He was a man who had a passion for the Lord. His love for Jesus was evident to all he encountered. Coach Poncy rode his bike many days at practice and at meets. His love for the students here at Orange Lutheran was very evident. His email address was run4him2@socal.rr.com . The him was Jesus.

It is hard when someone we know and care for leaves this earth. Knowing Coach Poncy, he would say that the tears today should not be for him, for he is enjoying the promises that he believed in his life. He knows today that God is faithful and His words are true.

Coach Poncy was a man of great character, and one that will be missed by many including his wife and daughters. Let’s take a moment and ask God for His peace and comfort to all who mourn the end of his earthly life today.

Please join me in prayer.

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for your servant, Guy Poncy, for his faith and witness to those who were placed in his life. We thank you for his faith and model to us while he was with us and know that he is now with you claiming Your free gift of eternal life.

Bless his wife Rennetta and daughters Tiffany and Kristie as they miss their husband and father. Give them that peace that surpasses all understanding, and surround them with people who will comfort them with your love and care.

For our students and staff I also ask for that peace and comfort as well Lord. I thank you for faithfulness and for the eternal life we received when Your Son died and rose again for our sins.

All these things we lay before His throne. To You alone be the glory.

Amen.

Character Moment #26 – April 9, 2008

Have you ever seen a person that is trying to deceive others, having the look of being legit, but in reality not having any integrity? It’s like the person that dresses up a mannequin and places them in the car so they can drive in the carpool lane and avoid congestion. I have a friend that pulled up along a driver that did this and saw the fake passenger. Then as the car pulled away he noticed that he had a fish decal on the back of his car. I am sure there were people that saw him that day that thought, “typical Christian.” It can be frustrating to send a message out like that when the real message of the saving love of Christ is the one that people need to see and hear.

I wonder sometimes if Orange Lutheran is a “safe place to be in sin?” What I mean is I know some in our community are just struggling with certain behaviors that really have them in their grasp. Because we have enough Christian activity, enough good stuff happening, a person could pretty much hide out and not have to face those things that are bringing them down. They can pretend they are doing the right thing, like the guy with the mannequin.

I would hope that we are a school that is “a safe place to be broken.” We all have times in our lives when we need to be broken, so that we can become the people God desires for us to become. Become people who are abiding, walking, living in Him. Allowing Him to fill us with His glory.

Living life as a Christian poser is a dangerous life to live. Humbling ourselves and allowing God to change our lives is powerful. Believing in the power He has to forgive us of all of our wrong doings is freeing. It is my prayer for us all that God will expose those things in our lives that keep us from having a true relationship with Him. It is within that relationship that our true character lies.[i]

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[i] thoughts from Todd Proctor, Rock Harbor, 2.24.08, “the last week of Jesus – Monday”

Character Moment #25 – April 2, 2008

I have shared with you that one of the things I do on a daily basis is read the Bible. I started this 11 years ago and it has been a blessing ever since. The version I picked this year was “The Message” by Eugene Peterson. This past week I was reading from Luke 6 and came across these words. The sub heading was…Work the Words into Your Life…

43-45"You don't get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.

46-47"Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.[1]

Powerful words. You know people like that though that always say the right thing or come off as the people who are the most respectful, but they are not. It is a show, it’s a game. It is not truthful, it is not sincere.

Maybe you are that person. Respectful on the outside, but on the inside, your true personality, you could care less. Well I tell you that people see through the façade – the phoniness.

Luke went on in that passage with words of Christ that really challenge us to be a person of character.

48-49"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss." [2]

Being a person of character is smart – Christ says so. Being phony, not sincere, is dumb. And if you chose to live your life that way, at some time your life will crumble around you.

These are hard words today, but important to hear. It is my prayer that God’s Spirit will stir up our school to be a community that values character. That our words and our actions will honor Him every day!

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[1] The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson, NAVPRESS

[2] Ibid.