The Real Jesus
My journey with chemo continues, side effects notwithstanding. There have been a lot of them. In fact, I’m taking more meds to counteract the chemo side effects than the meds themselves that make up the chemo cocktail. My focus has been symptom management and staying ahead of the symptoms.
In addition to dealing with the symptoms, there is a nagging question I ponder regularly. Is this treatment strategy working? I hope so. The blood work I will be having soon will give some indication. Please continue to pray for the efficacy of the treatment.
Over the past week I’ve had a few conversations that eventually landed on the topic of suffering. We all want to avoid it. I do. But, it’s unavoidable contrary to what we are told by many Mega church personalities. I’m not totally down on self-help, cultivating a positive attitude, envisioning what you’re “best life now” should look like message. My issue is when this message is presented as the mission and teaching of Jesus. It’s not.
Why bring this up? Because we’re entering the Christmas season! Our children, in my case, grandchildren, need to know who the baby in the manger truly is. Why he came.
I’m going to do something different, something I haven’t done for awhile. I’m going to plug a book. Nothing “in it” for me, but I think you’ll find it a worthwhile read as you talk to your children about the coming of Christ this Christmas season. Matthew Richard has been a personal help to me, guiding and providing source material for a bible study I led when I taught a course on the Theology of the Cross at Imago Dei Community Church in Portland years back. Please click the link at the bottom of the page if you’re interested.
Speaking of plugs, I want you to know that this coming spring Basic Skills will be offering the next generation of Terra Nova, the Terra Nova 3. While Terra Nova 2 will still be available through the next testing season, Terra Nova 3 will also be available, but exclusively through us. In conjunction with the launch of this new test will be practice tests that to help your student do his or her best. The next generation of Achieving Peak Performance and The One Hour Practice Test will be released incrementally early next year!
Also scheduled to be released will be a new, Essential Learning Objectives product that simplifies and clarifies what your child needs to know at each grade level.
Good things are in store for 2019!
Curt
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