800 Juliana Drive, Woodstock, Ontario

Phone: 519-539-1492

     

April 2021

Talking to Youself

When you heard the news that schools would once again be moving to remote learning, what did you say to yourself?  As your children worked at home on school work these past few days, what were you saying to each other?  Were they messages such as…

This is impossible. I’ll never get it.

This is not going to work.

We can’t do this again.

Or were your inner voice and conversations more positive such as…

This is hard, but I got this.

Bring it on. I can handle a challenge.

We can do it again!

Mindsets and self talk have a powerful impact on behaviour and outcomes.  At school, we have taught students a lot about the importance of fostering a growth mindset and developing grit or being able to persevere through challenges.  Unsurprisingly, students with positive mindsets and productive self-talk are much more successful than those with negative attitudes and destructive inner messaging.  Did you know that grit and mindsets are stronger indicators of performance and outcomes than intelligence?  

For most of us, negativity can be our default, and I have to be very intentional about choosing a positive attitude. We can change our mindsets and develop grit!  I try using affirmations, or statements about who I am according to God, to foster resiliency and an accurate outlook.  I invite you to challenge yourself this week to monitor your own self talk and think about how you can foster a growth mindset in your home.  Try some of these positive affirmations…

I am a child of God.

I am loved unconditionally.

I am not a quitter and persevere through challenges.

I have been created with gifts and abilities and can learn from my mistakes.

I will do my best for God’s glory.

I am His.

                                                                                                                       Tracy Bulthuis,  Learning Support

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Armour of God: Ready Shoes

Armour of God: Ready Shoes

(Source: www.gcu.edu/blog)

In Ephesians 6:10-20 NIV The Armor of God  passage, Paul tells us to stand firm with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Shoes are a part of a Christian’s armour.

Can you imagine going to battle without shoes? You would most likely be in pain with every step, as you pass over all kinds of harsh landscape. Ultimately, it would inhibit your ability to fight.

So, how can the gospel of peace be related to shoes? To start, we must understand what the gospel of peace is. The word “gospel” means “good news,” referring to the sacrifice Jesus made for us so that we can be saved. As a result, this brings us peace. As Christians, we are called to share the good news of   Christ with others. Having our shoes fitted with the gospel of peace allows us to do this successfully.

Our shoes equip us to walk through rough areas. In the same way, having hope in Jesus helps us walk through the trials we face. John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Just like having a good pair of shoes can help us walk across rough terrain, having confidence in Christ allows us to boldly proclaim His name. While we may face persecution in this life, we can rest in knowing the Savior of the world loves us and cares for us.

Having our feet fitted with the shoes of the gospel of peace allows us to be ready to share God with others at all times. As Christians, we should always be prepared, as we never know when an opportunity may arise to share the good news of the gospel with someone else. Ultimately, the shoes of peace equip us to fight for Christ in the spiritual battles we face.

 

  Carol Verbeek, Principal

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Armour of God: Sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:10-18  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist … Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

To be a Christian is to be a warrior. Our WCS theme verse speaks about standing firm and strong. We can expect that we will encounter difficulties while we stand our ground. Not once, but several times in our passage the apostle Paul tells us— “Stand.”  As Christians, we can expect trouble and conflict, so when it comes we need to be armed, skilled, and ready. In preparing the armor of God, Christians may notice something interesting: every piece of armor (with the exception of one) is defensive. The specifically offensive piece of armor is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God - the Bible. The Bible is the supreme weapon that God has given to the Christian. With this weapon we can attack and defend. Do you remember Jesus in the wilderness fighting the adversary? He fights the adversary with Scripture. He quotes from the Old Testament three times: “It is written,” “It is written,” “It is written.” Satan comes with a temptation, Jesus parries the thrust; he takes out his sword, he defends himself with the word of God. All the pieces of the armor come from God, but the sword in particular is God himself, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God. As Christians, we need to learn as much as we can about God’s word. As we wield this sword in our hands, it protects our sincerity and our holiness and our peace. It protects our righteousness, it protects our hope.

How do we do this and how do we teach our children/students to do this? We study the Word daily. We read our Bibles, learn verses by memory, and hear sermons preached on the word, all to gain an understanding of Scripture. We ask God to reveal himself, to show us wisdom and understanding. Read the word, hear the word, believe the word, study it, pray it. Be armed and ready.

                                                                                                                      Carol Verbeek, Principal

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