“Strong in the Lord” will be Abiding Savior’s theme for the 2023-24 school year.  Though the theme appears and re-appears throughout the Bible, our verse is taken from Isaiah 12:2.  At this point in history, Israel had been unfaithful to God off and on (mostly on, unfortunately) for the past two hundred years of its existence.  They had, on purpose, left the God Who had delivered them from Egypt and into the Promised Land and worshiped  and served other gods (who really aren’t gods, at all, but man-made images).  Into their unfaithfulness, God spoke through His prophet, Isaiah: “You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.”  Verse 2 goes on: “ the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

God, through Isaiah, is emphasizing something crucial: though His people have sinned, (and all of us have – see Romans 3:23), God’s love for us continues.  Not only that, but He will actively intervene in history for the comfort of His people.  In hindsight, we know that Isaiah was speaking of God’s sending His Son, Jesus, to become a human being and then to suffer, die, and rise again to save people from themselves, from their sin.  Though we still struggle with our sinful desires and behaviors, we, like Israel, are comforted because the Lord God is our strength and our song, and He has, in Jesus, become our salvation.  Not only this (as though this weren’t enough!), God continues to give us His strength as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and lives through God’s Word, and through the love and support of other Christian people.  Through this strength, we can live together in peace, love, and forgiveness for one another as we work to live together, to learn together, and to love together.  

I look forward to our 2023-24 adventure.  God bless you all.

In Christ, Mr. Ryherd

Serving

Servant leadership is referenced throughout scripture and it is important to our mission to encourage our students in serving. 

Mark 10: 42 - 45 says "And Jesus called to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Abiding Savior students are responsible for taking care of our school facility and help daily by washing lunchroom tables and taking out the recycles. We encourage our older students to serve the younger grades through chapel buddies and reading buddies. Students learn that it is important to love one another through service and taking care of each other.