In the late 1950s a writer by the name of Ted Geisel submitted a first grade reader to a school board for consideration. The school board ultimately selected a different reader that went by the title, Dick and Jane. For many first graders of the 1960's, this reader was the standard text from which first graders learned. The book read like such: "See Dick run." "See Jane run." "See Spot run." "Run, Spot, run."
The reason the board selected Dick and Jane was because they believed that children should not be excited when learning to read. The story, they contended, should be secondary to the words that children needed to learn by sight. Story didn't matter. Only the words mattered. And the simpler the better.
Excitement, however, is an amazing phenomenon when we encounter it. Employees who are excited about their work create great companies. Athletes who are excited about practice produce championships. Spouses who are still excited about each other have great marriages. Students who are excited about learning gain superior knowledge.
And the same holds true for the church.
Are you excited about being a member at Calvary? Are you excited to see what God is doing? Are you excited to be a part of God's work? Are you excited about participating? Are you excited to invite others?
I hope you are. Excitement is catching, it is life-changing. In fact, we can't do our best or create our best without it.
Excitement.
And by the way . . . that book that the school board rejected? It was The Cat in the Hat. And Ted Geisel wrote under the pen name, Dr. Seuss.
The reason the board selected Dick and Jane was because they believed that children should not be excited when learning to read. The story, they contended, should be secondary to the words that children needed to learn by sight. Story didn't matter. Only the words mattered. And the simpler the better.
Excitement, however, is an amazing phenomenon when we encounter it. Employees who are excited about their work create great companies. Athletes who are excited about practice produce championships. Spouses who are still excited about each other have great marriages. Students who are excited about learning gain superior knowledge.
And the same holds true for the church.
Are you excited about being a member at Calvary? Are you excited to see what God is doing? Are you excited to be a part of God's work? Are you excited about participating? Are you excited to invite others?
I hope you are. Excitement is catching, it is life-changing. In fact, we can't do our best or create our best without it.
Excitement.
And by the way . . . that book that the school board rejected? It was The Cat in the Hat. And Ted Geisel wrote under the pen name, Dr. Seuss.
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