Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whanau,

As we near the end of Term 2, it is always good to acknowledge God’s providence and faithfulness in our lives and that of our school, Middleton Grange. We can be thankful that we have been able to remain open for instruction under Alert Level 1 during Covid-19, whilst many countries overseas continue to face lockdowns and ongoing challenges. We continue to enjoy many freedoms and blessings and have much to be thankful for. Let us be sure to continue to pray about this matter daily and uphold those who make important decisions about these matters, as well as our essential workers.

I recently came across a book by Donald Whitney called Ten Questions To Diagnose Your Spiritual Health. Whitney talks about the Puritans, who were known as “physicians of the soul,” and says that “in our day, as in [the Puritans’], the timeless process of discerning one’s spiritual health involves questions and tests. My purpose in writing these pages is to act as a physician of the soul, asking questions and suggesting spiritual tests that can, by the help of the Holy Spirit, enable you to self-diagnose your spiritual health.”

The book is framed around 10 big questions meant to challenge Christians with the state of their spiritual health and development, which I thought would be helpful questions to ask for each of us too.

The questions are, in order:

1. Do you thirst for God?
2. Are you governed increasingly by God’s Word?
3. Are you more loving?
4. Are you more sensitive to God’s presence?
5. Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual and temporal needs of others?
6. Do you delight in the bride (church) of Christ?
7. Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you?
8. Do you still grieve over sin?
9. Are you a quicker forgiver?
10. Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?

These are great questions to reflect on and think about as we review the state of our own spiritual health and development. We all value doctors and physicians advising us about how to look after and care for our physical bodies, but how much more important is it to look after our spiritual bodies and souls.

At this time, I would like to wish you and your families a safe and restful holiday period over the coming weeks and look forward to seeing you all again at the start of Term 3. May I encourage you to spend some of this time reflecting on the 10 questions above and how God is working in your life.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school; financially, practically and through your prayers.

May our Lord bless us all and continue to guide us as we seek to serve Him in our respective callings.

Blessings in Christ

Mike Vannoort

Principal (Tumuaki)