Conviction is defined in the dictionary as a firmly held belief or opinion. It reflects a deep confidence in what a person believes and the courage to stand by it. Conviction shows when someone is not easily moved by pressure, trends, or opposition. A person with conviction does not change direction simply because circumstances become difficult. In the biblical sense, conviction is closely tied to a life of faith and devotion to God. It is not a sudden burst of inspiration th

Next week, our VPS Warriors will be enjoying their Spring Break. A full week to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful time with family is something everyone looks forward to. Free time with the people we love is a gift, yet many parents start wondering what to do with their children for several days at home. Planning can turn that question into an exciting opportunity. Spring Break is the perfect moment to explore, create, laugh together, and make memories that your children w

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” - Psalm 51:10. Having a clean heart is a quality all of us must strive for. We have all experienced the pain and consequences of walking without God, and when we are in disobedience to His Word. Whether it was sin or a mistake, a clouded heart affects our relationships and leaves us feeling guilty and disconnected. It is even harder when we realize that our own actions have caused pain in those around us.

Mercy is defined in the dictionary as the act of showing kindness, forgiveness, or compassion to someone, especially when you have the power to punish or judge them. In a more biblical sense, mercy refers to God's love and forgiveness toward us, even when we don’t deserve it. It is a quality Jesus showed every day, especially when He laid His life and paid the price to redeem us. He showed compassion instead of anger or judgment.     Mercy is a beautiful gift we Warriors can

Sometimes we are reluctant to accept help because we think it makes us seem weak, when in reality, it denotes bravery and courage. Accepting that we cannot do something alone, or that we are tired and need help, is commendable, and that’s exactly what this story of Moses, Aaron, and Hur teaches us. 11  As long as Moses held up his arms, the Israelites won, but when he put his arms down, the Amalekites started winning. 12  When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a s

When we hear the word love , most of us immediately think of romantic love, the butterflies, the excitement, the longing for someone special. But love is far more than that. Love is a choice we make every day to care for and cherish others. It is expressed in many forms: the unconditional love of family, the loyalty and encouragement between siblings, the compassion and support we offer to friends, the kindness we show ourselves through self-care and acceptance, and most impo

Forgiveness is not for others; it is for us, for our peace of mind and soul. It is not a sign of weakness, but a path to freedom, peace, and healing. When we forgive, we release the burden of anger, resentment, and hurt that keeps us bound. Yet, despite knowing this, why is it so hard to forgive? We’ve all heard expressions like: “Ask God for forgiveness because I will not forgive you, I can forgive you, but I will never forget, he should be the one asking for forgiveness, wh

Consistency, discipline, accountability, and love are the essential ingredients of effective parenting. When any one of these is missing, the balance is lost, and the results can be challenging or even harmful. Like any important task, parenting requires a careful balance; without it, even the best methods can fail. Consider this scenario: you want your child to complete household chores, but you don’t consistently hold them accountable. Your child may do chores only when the

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is teaching them to engage with God’s Word every day. Children and teens are especially receptive to learning when we lead by example, modeling the habits we want them to develop. While it’s true that bad habits spread quickly, good habits can also be passed on if we approach them with love, patience, and consistency. Reading and reflecting on the Bible is a habit worth cultivating from an early age. We call our students Warr

“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This quote from an American poet captures the beauty of kindness and the lasting effect it leaves on those who receive it. It affirms that kindness is more than a feeling; it’s a way of life that grows and spreads, touching hearts in ways we may never fully see. A simple act of kindness can have a ripple effect, lifting spirits, inspir

Another year has started, another semester to shine and honor God with our lives as VPS Warriors. Being a Warrior is not just a title; it’s a call to live with faith, kindness, courage, and integrity. We must show with our actions and trust in God that we have been set apart to serve Jesus. Honoring our Warrior status can influence our school, friends, and family, and change the lives of those around us. Being a Warrior carries a great responsibility because we should show th

We welcomed a new year. January is a time that fills us with hope for what may come, and sometimes anxiety about the unknown. We reflected on all that has happened and considered how we can grow in this new year. The new year is a gift from God, a fresh start, a new chapter, and an opportunity to do better than before. When we see it as a blessing rather than something to take for granted, we begin to appreciate each day, each moment, and each opportunity God places before us

Over the years, excessive consumerism has made us lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Sadly, it has also shaped the way our children see the season; they often believe Christmas is all about receiving the best gifts, when in reality, it is about giving, sharing, and showing love. For many, Christmas has become a time to buy and buy; others are simply waiting for their gifts. Some spend the holidays seeking a temporary escape from life’s worries with a vacation, and f

This week, we ended our first Semester of school. It has been a great Semester, full of wonderful accomplishments and beautiful memories together as a family. We are ending the semester with gratefulness and excitement because God has been faithful to us. Today we start our Christmas Break, and for two weeks, our Warriors will have time to rest and enjoy their time with family. Knowing how anxious children and teens can get when they have too much free time, we have developed

The holiday celebrations bring many wonderful opportunities to share quality time with those we love. It is a time of joy that fills our homes with warmth and love. It is a beautiful time to honor Jesus and share his light with others, and a great time to teach our Warriors the blessing of giving. Yes, they get all excited about receiving gifts, and that is part of it, but we must take time to show them that the most beautiful part of Christmas is not receiving; it is giving.

December is here! One of the most loved months of the year, filled with joy, lights, and the excitement of Christmas. It’s a time when our hearts are drawn to celebration, music, and togetherness. But Christmas is not about spending lots of money on gifts or the busiest party; it’s about something far greater: welcoming Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given. As we enter this season, it’s important to ask ourselves: are we truly preparing our hearts to receive Him? Are we

Being alive has become my deepest reason for gratitude. I have always thanked God for my life, my family, my daughters, my husband, but surviving multiple encounters of pulmonary embolisms (PEs), when many do not survive even one, has given my gratitude a new depth and meaning. I feel incredibly blessed to testify that God has been my caretaker, and through His mercy, I am alive today. Each morning, I wake with joy, thankful for another day to enjoy the blessings He provides,

Thanksgiving is a special time to reflect on the many blessings God has given us throughout the year. It’s a season for family, joy, and creating meaningful memories with loved ones. But let’s be honest, Thanksgiving can also feel overwhelming, especially with a house full of children and teens to include in your plans. To help make this holiday joyful and memorable for the whole family, here are tips to make the most of the Thanksgiving celebration: 1. Plan a dessert-making

Have you heard the phrase, “A little bit of kindness goes a long way”? Kindness is one of the character traits we nurture in our Warriors. But what is kindness? The dictionary defines it as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. The Bible describes kindness as an attribute of God, a quality we are called to reflect, even when it doesn’t come naturally. Ideally, kindness should guide our actions every day. As Warriors, we are called to model kindness and com

Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging callings we can ever receive. It requires consistency, discipline, accountability, and a lot of love. When any of these ingredients are missing, everything falls out of balance, and that imbalance can lead to confusion, frustration, and broken trust between parents and children. Parenting is much like baking; every ingredient must be measured with care. Too much or too little of one thing, and the result doesn’t come out