Tom Gray, in partnership with Mount Paran Christian School, shared profound insights into the challenges facing Christian families today. As a pastor, community leader, and father, Gray offered a perspective shaped by decades of ministry and personal experience. This discussion, coupled with broader cultural reflections, highlights the pressing need for intentionality in cultivating faith-centered homes amidst a culture of distraction and misplaced priorities.

No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. -C.S. Lewis

Grief is a complex and deeply personal emotion that affects each of us differently. As adults, we may face a range of feelings — anxiety, fear, sadness, depression, and even a sense of insecurity or trembling. Often, we try to stay strong, yet we may resist surrendering our pain to God, believing we must handle it ourselves. While adults may have a better grasp of the concept of death and loss, children are still developing their understanding of these difficult experiences. As parents, caregivers, and mentors, it's essential to guide them through their grief in ways that are loving, supportive, and constructive.

Generosity is often seen as an act of kindness, but it’s more than that — it’s an overflow of gratitude. When we look at generosity through a Biblical lens, we see that it begins with thankfulness. God created a continuous gratitude-generosity loop in us. In simple terms, when we are thankful for kindness shown to us, that gratitude inspires our own compassion and generosity. The Bible beautifully illustrates this truth in Proverbs 11:24-25, showing us that a generous heart leads to abundance in return. Gratitude prepares our hearts to give and live generously.

As parents, we feel pressure to prioritize our children’s future — enrolling them in the best SAT prep courses, hiring the perfect pitching coach, and encouraging them to be involved in numerous clubs and activities. But do we place enough emphasis on opportunities to grow in faith and service? As we raise a generation of Christ-followers, we should empower students to become servant-leaders, following the example of Jesus Christ. One great way to accomplish this is through short-term mission trips.

It is evident by data collected and records received that MPCS alumni are continuing to be servant-leaders beyond graduation. Alumni are adhering to the mission of MPCS, one that seeks to “prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth.” In a recent alumni survey, 72% indicated that MPCS played a significant role in preparing them to be servant-leaders while all agreed MPCS was an important part of their foundation. 

A growing body of research supports the importance of small classes in K-12 education. A 2011 study by the Brookings Institution found that students in small classes outperformed those in larger classes (22 students or more) by a rate equivalent to three months of additional schooling every four years. This means that students who begin kindergarten in small classes are nearly one year ahead of their peers in larger classes by eighth grade.

 

Christmas season is upon us and celebrations are in full swing. Among the growing piles of presents, party invitations, Christmas card orders, and letters to Saint Nick — not to mention the travel plans and the arrival of visitors — the Christmas message can be difficult to keep in the forefront of our minds. 

I imagine by now you have seen all the negative political ads you care to see. According to presidential campaign finance trackers, the Democratic and Republican candidates will likely spend more than $1 billion each on their campaigns, much of it on negative ads aimed at each other. Unfortunately, research shows that negative political ads increase voter cynicism, contribute to declining voter trust in elections, decrease participation in politics, and contribute to increased societal incivility.

 

The teaching profession appears headed for a crisis. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the number of bachelor’s of education degrees awarded fell from 176,000 in 1971 to only 90,000 in 2021, a 49 percent decrease in 50 years. Of the approximately four million K-12 teachers in the US, about 8 percent (320,000) leave the profession annually. A quick subtraction equation yields a stark reality: each year far more teachers leave the profession than enter it. 

When the final bell rings for summer break, students and parents everywhere take a collective sigh. Time to refresh and recharge. Students definitely need a break, but, as most will agree, vegging out on the couch to Netflix or Disney streaming isn’t completely productive or replenishing to the body and mind. However, there are ways to keep your student’s mental, physical, and personal development going while still giving them that much needed downtime.

Dr. Alvin Rosenfield, author of The Over-Scheduled Child states that unscheduled time with family without goals or plans is key to character development. Most parents agree that character development is most important to them, but unfortunately, the packing of schedules or zoning out to television or gaming often counteracts that desire. So what are the best ways to carve out time for that much-needed downtime to recharge while developing healthy relationships and values? Experts at Mount Paran Christian School have some great creative strategies to share.

Education is a life-long journey. Trends in education come and go, but the goal remains the same: students must learn the skills they need to live a successful life. During the last several decades, we have realized that the learning process looks different for different people. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning, and human development is not linear, as skills can develop and be mastered at various times for different people. Research also suggests that a key to success in education is knowing students deeply and understanding their uniquenesses. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

–Psalm 139: 13-14

We live in a world full of material ease and instant gratification. Need a new butter dish? Amazon. Forgot to make dinner? DoorDash. Want an answer without having to actually talk to someone? Text. This present age can satisfy most of our day-to-day needs, wants, and desires on the spot.  

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

–Isaiah 41:10

Erma Bombeck once said, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left but could say I've used everything you gave me.”

One of the most important, but most difficult things that Christians are tasked with biblically is to give living witness to the love of Christ. And in turn with that same display of the love of Christ, to defend the faith that is held so precious.