Seniors Soon To Sail The Seas

On May 21st, LCA's senior class (along with Mr. Gregorin, Mr. Oldham, and Mrs. Oldham) are going on a five-day cruise to the Bahamas and Key West. The seniors are leaving after they finish their exams, which they will complete an entire week before the rest of the student body. 

Both the seniors and their chaperones said that they plan to "have fun and just be lazy most of the time." The trip will include a stop at the famous Atlantis Hotel, which holds an amazing water park with a slide that goes underwater.

 Mrs. Oldham stated that the trip was going to be interesting: "I'm the only girl going on the trip. I won't have anybody to shop with."

by Samantha Hendrix, freshman staff writer

Students 'Set A Fire' at LCA

"You bring the fire, I'll provide the sacrifice."  This is the motto of the new student-led Bible study, Set a Fire, led by ninth-grader Leanna Harbottle and eleventh-grader Ruth Torres.  According to Harbottle, the group's motto means, "God's providing this Bible study or 'fire' for us. We provide the sacrifice by giving God the glory we're called to give Him." She added that this should send a message that "God will help you if you let Him."

“The purpose of Set a Fire is to glorify God,” Harbottle said. She feels that students should take advantage of the opportunity to grow closer in their relationship with God.

 “The Bible study can help open their eyes to truth in spiritual matters,” she added.  Harbottle said she hopes the study will open everyone's eyes to what God wants. "It's gone well so far, so I believe it will only excel from here," she remarked. "It also shows us who's serious about the study with who shows up and who says they will." Set a Fire is held in the elementary cafeteria on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:40 to 8:10. Students in grades 6-12 may attend and should bring paper, a writing utensil, and -- of course -- a Bible.

By Mia Hales, freshman staff reporter

The Sounds of Liberty

The Sounds of Liberty choral group

On Feb. 23-25, Liberty Christian Academy's choir, The Sounds of Liberty, participated in the Association of Christian Schools International regional music competition at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia.

The choir consists of students Ben Herndon, Cierra Hart, Ashley Wilson, Haley Brown, Emily Williams, Emily Hart, Sam Yurchak, Bryant Colon, Jaime Vela, Ruth Torres, Callie Medlin, Ethan Evans, and Trevor Sawyer. These students are all in grades 7-12. Mrs. Christina Iding and Mrs. Kristi McNeill co-direct the choir.

The Sounds of Liberty performed "Were You There?" and "Shut De Do'."  Iding said the judges especially like the choir's rendition of "Shut De Do'," which earned the group a superior rating. 

A precious time of worship around the bonfire

Judges evaluated the nine participating choirs on their accuracy, technique, tone, balance, interpretation, and overall effect.

Iding also stated that the whole group had an "amazing" time on the trip. Eighth-grader Ashley Wilson said the highlight of the trip was a bonfire where the group roasted marshmallows, Sour Patch Kids candies, and jelly beans over the fire.


by Samantha Hendrix, freshman staff writer

Baseball Team Swings Into Action This Weekend

Liberty Christian Academy’s baseball team is back and ready to show what they are made of. The team’s first game is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 10, at Northwood Temple Christian School in Fayetteville. 

Under the direction of coaches Gerald Oldham and David Iding, LCA will field both a varsity and a middle school squad this year.

Oldham said the boys are stronger and better prepared this year as the season begins. He says the addition of the middle school team will strengthen the overall program and provide additional experience for the players as they grow older.

Andrew Bolton fields a ground ball

“The younger players need more focus,” said Iding. 

“The middle school program is a great experience for the younger ones and gives them experience before jumping into varsity.”

Both coaches are looking forward to a great season. “I’m very excited to see what we have,” Iding said.

by Stephanie Hall

Freshman Staff Writer

Saluting Those Who Serve

One of my favorite scenes from the movie Saving Private Ryan is the scene where Gen. George C. Marshall reads a letter from President Lincoln to Lydia Bixby, a mother who lost five sons during the war between the states.  Now, I'm not a man who champions Hollywood's perceptions of war, but I will say that watching the first 30 minutes of this movie will move any red-blooded American to tears.  The letter reads as follows:

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Reflection of the Washington Monument in the Vietnam Wall

As I ponder the thoughts of condolence offered by our 16th president, I'm burdened by a country that seems to have lost, or misplaced, its priorities.  Tomorrow is Veterans Day, a day in which our country pauses to reflect upon those who make, or have made, great sacrifices so that we may enjoy our freedom.  I often wonder what it must have been like to storm the beaches of Normandy, not knowing if I would ever return to see my loved ones.  I think about how it must have felt to walk the Ho Chi Min trail carrying the lifeless body of a brother-in-arms only to return to an ungrateful rally of protestors  shouting "baby killer."  It infuriates me that we, as a country, often see our soldiers as expendable.  We are no longer emotionally moved by the daily reports of soldiers who pay the ultimate price.

Korean Memorial

 Last year our student government, led by Mrs. Gibbs, was challenged to adopt a veteran for the holidays.  One of our student leaders was so excited about the opportunity to be a blessing that she went out and bought the finest slippers that money could buy.  The slippers appeared to be super comfy yet very masculine.  As she met her veteran for the first time, reality coldly rushed over her.  She realized that the man she had been given the opportunity to serve did not have any feet.  Speechless and in tears, she reluctantly offered her useless gift.  He graciously responded with tears of joy and gratitude.  He reassured her that her gift would be put to use. This willingness to sacrifice for the comfort of others, my friends, is what makes America great.

Arlington National Cemetery 

Unfortunately, our veterans are too often neglected and sometimes even forgotten.  As we pause to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our veterans on this special day, may the words of G.K. Chesterton be a call of duty for us all: "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms.  It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die."

Thank you, veterans, for showing us how to love our country and the freedom that we too often take for granted.

DE

Melting Hearts... Molding Lives

Someone once said, "The same sun that melts the ice, hardens the clay."  Not sure what that might mean to you, but I'd like to share a few thoughts on what I believe it means to me.  Some view that statement as having both positive and negative meanings.   On the contrary, I believe that it's a perfect picture of grace.

Let me explain...

Worship time is AWESOME!

One of my favorite times of the week here at LCA is our chapel time.  It's so exciting to watch kids clap, sing, and smile as they worship Jesus!  They're not hindered by the cares and concerns of this world!  They're not worried about bills, economic struggles, peer pressure, etc.  They just simply come with hearts free to worship... and I must say... God is at work!  We are rejoicing that six students have given their hearts to Christ over the past few months, and from the change that I have personally seen in the lives of those students... it's real!  It's so exciting to see fire fall from heaven and melt cold hearts.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of driving the bus for a 6th grade field trip to a paint-and-play pottery place in Wilmington, NC.  I thought it would be fun to do something different for a change.  One thing that I noticed as I was painting my piece of pottery was that my piece was fragile and that the colors that I had chosen were bland... really dull and boring.  I asked the lady who was working with our group why the pieces on display were brilliant, hardened, and seemingly beautiful.  I mean, I chose similar colors, but my colors didn't look anything like what I saw on the pieces displayed.  The lady told me that once I was finished she'd explain.

  As I finished my last stroke, the lady explained to us that the work was still incomplete.  What did she mean?   We'd done all that we could do with what we had.  She further explained that the piece now had to be placed in the kiln for a period of time where the fire of the oven would harden the pottery and bring out the brilliance of the colors that were chosen.  It was then that I realized that the fire that melts a cold heart is the same fire that strengthens the heart and brings out the brilliance of the Master's design.  I guess that's what James meant when he wrote the passage that states when troubles come our way, that we should consider it an opportunity for us to experience joy, even great joy.  When our faith is tested, our endurance is given an opportunity to grow.  When our endurance is fully developed, we will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  Could it be that our trials are from the paintbrush of God?  If this is true, then I must ask myself this question.  What are the trials that I get to experience in my life doing to me, and how am I responding to the furnace of God?  That's why it's important for me to remember that "the same sun that melts the ice, hardens the clay."  How about you?  How do you respond to the trials of life?  I'll leave you with this one simple thought...don't miss the blessings by focusing on the burdens.

SWO Delivers... But God Gets The Glory!

A Sweet Time of Worship

I must say, I was a little apprehensive about this year's school camp trek to Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, NC.  Several fears fed this apprehension.  What if the kids don't enjoy it?  What if we have issues traveling such great distances?  How will the counselors respond to the kids?  How will the kids respond to the counselors?  What if someone gets hurt?  What will the food be like?  What if.... I snore? Yes, I know, ridiculous isn't it?  Mary Anne Evans, widely known by her pen name "George Eliot",  once said, "I'm proof against that word failure. I've seen behind it. The only failure a man ought to fear is failure of cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best."  Upon arrival, I felt an overwhelming calm about the decisions that brought us to this place.  The kids were immediately greeted by the guys and girls at SWO who genuinely showed an interest in them.  They didn't bombard the kids with camp "rules and procedures", they treated them like... teenagers.  Within the hour most of the counselors knew all of our names.  They ate with the kids, challenged them to a pick-up basketball game, tossed the football with a few, and spent time encouraging them in the Lord.  After dinner, we enjoyed a sweet time of worship and challenge from the Word.

Enjoying the "Refreshing" Nantahala

Day two began with a flurry of activities for the kids.  They were able to zip-line, climb the "tower of terror", get whipped by their teachers in a massive paintball war, and white-water raft down the... as they would call it, "refreshing" Nantahala river.  "Refreshing" is SWO's euphemism for the word... COLD!  It was exciting to say the least!  Kids were conquering their fears, adults were acting like children, and God was pleased to see His children enjoying His majestic creation.  That night, God broke my heart.  At the beginning of the evening service, the SWO crew began the service with a heart-wrenching visual of what Jesus did for us.  The passionate display of love was a bit overwhelming.  At that moment, I knew that school camp wasn't just for the kids... it was for me!  I needed that time to reflect on areas of personal holiness that I had neglected.  I was challenged by the idea that nothing I do "impresses" God.  How can I give God anything when He owns everything?  That night, God gave me a lot of things that I needed to spiritually digest.

As we wrapped our 2011 school camp with one final gathering, Brody challenged us with the following video:

Tears of the Saints from AsiaLink HistoryMaker on Vimeo.

That's when God's hammer hit me the hardest!  I need to get busy!  People are dying for their faith in Christ.  Children all over the world are hurting.  People are not being told that Jesus saves!  You know, Mary Anne Evans was right!  Cleaving to the purpose eliminated the fear.  The purpose ultimately ripped open our hearts and exposed us to the importance of the Gospel!

The "Next Generation" of the Church

 I believe that LCA's best days are yet to come. I also believe that it takes days like the ones we experienced together at SWO to prepare us for those days! Your kids were amazingly well-behaved, and all in all, I believed that God was pleased.

DE