A Word From the Head

September 02, 2010
Mr. Rod Gilbert, Head of School

Principles Are Life-Nourishing

You may have noticed Psalm 19:7 on several blue and white banners around campus. This bible verse is the pinnacle point of what C.S. Lewis calls “one of the greatest poems ever penned.” In fact, our kindergartners memorize the whole Psalm during the school year. It is full of wonderful metaphors of this life that is worth living, and the eternal worth is based on the fact that God gives us life-nourishing principles to guide us.

When I am in a conversation with a student, or students, or employee, I am reflective of this simple truth in Psalm 19:7. “The principles of the Lord are life-nourishing; they restore our souls.”

How does this apply to our school environment? There are five ways that I will give in short points today.

1)       A nourished life can only TRULY come from living within the principles given by our LORD. So, we should minister to children and teens using principles and wisdom and avoid heavy loads of legalism.
2)       Principles are life-giving axioms, and contrary to the world’s view, principles are not joy-killers or fun-stealers. We should see the principles as our avenue to a life of contentment and happiness.
3)       We, the journeymen of this world, experience our own failings when we fall short of living within these principles. So, we should hold short accounts on people and be long on forgiveness. My mentor used to say to me, “Rod, if you are shocked by the sinful actions of another person, then you have forgotten your own depravity.”
4)       As a principle-based school, we have to allow natural negative consequences to follow poor decisions. When we are in the midst of that process, we operate with love, grace, and humility.
5)       We, as journeymen of this world, should follow the principles and enforce the principles as perfectly as the holy disciples lived by the Sermon on the Mount. May God help all of us, as the Holy Spirit helped those wise men to live for Christ.

May we have a great year! If you want an example of principles that set the tone in our school, take a look at the Code of Citizenship in the School Standard that you are receiving at Back to School Night. There are fourteen principles that lift high ideals as guidelines for school behavior, adult behavior, and overall life.