Greetings in Christ!
My name is Mr. Norm Rust and it is my honor and privilege to serve as your child’s history teacher at MACA for the 2011-2012 school year.
Upon graduation from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a B.A., cum laude, in History in 1985, the Lord has graciously opened doors of opportunity, allowing me to teach a wide variety of history, religious studies, and biblical studies courses in church, camp, home school, cooperative, and tutorial settings.
History course offerings have included: American History to 1877; American History from 1877; American Civil War History; World War II History, American Military History, Constitutional History, American Presidential History; World History, Comparative Religions; Comparative Worldviews; and US Government/Christian Worldview.
Having been saved by His grace in 1976, I learned upon entering college how vitally important it was for all believers, but particularly young people, to be rooted and established in the absolute truth of Scripture and to understand the transformative power inherent in living and proclaiming a Biblical worldview - to live boldly and courageously for Christ.
I truly believe that our nation, which has been blessed with a miraculous and awe inspiring heritage of freedom, is at a crossroad in virtually every way, and that this generation will be called to do a great and vital work in the glorious cause of liberty. Galatians 5:1 reminds us that, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free," and then challenges us to "stand firm then, not letting ourselves be burdened again with a yoke of slavery." Similarly, 2 Corinthians 3:7 states that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
By looking intently and enthusiastically at the lessons of God's sovereign and providential hand upon the past, it is my humble and earnest prayer that each student will be constantly reminded, inspired, and challenged to be good citizens of His kingdom and of our nation both now and in the future. America's story teaches us that a long line of heroes winds its way back, through the halls of our history. To ignore those lives and to be ignorant of the lessons of the past is to not recognize the hand and will of God in all things - a very dangerous thing indeed.
Many have given definitions of history, a number of which we will discuss this year. I prefer to describe it as God "bringing eternity to bear upon time." It is for us to see it as such, so that we might not look around, or within, for the source of our blessings and lives, but up, always.
I look forward with much anticipation, expectation, and faith, trusting that the Lord will do a great work in the hearts and minds of each student this year, using each one as an humble and powerful instrument in His hands and unto His glory!
Please feel free to contact me at any time with any thoughts, ideas, questions, or concerns you may have. It is my prayer that God will allow us stand firm together in Him, knit together in perfect unity as we serve Him together this year!
May God continue to richly bless you all as you so faithfully serve Him.
In His Matchless Power,
Mr. Norm Rust
History
Mount Airy Christian Academy
Class Guidelines: History 2011-2012
I Corinthians 14:40 - “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Instructor: Mr. Norm Rust
Classes: American History
World History
US Government
Heroes of American History
Room: 306
Phone: 410-242-1329
Voicemail extension: 410-489-4321 ext. 321
Email: norman.rust@mabcmd.org
In addition to all rules and guidelines in the MACA school handbooks, it is my desire to see the achievement of the following goals, guidelines, and rules for the above classes during the 2011-2012 school year:
Achieve the Three “R’s” and “keep the keeps” at all times and in all classes:
RESPECT the LORD - Each student and your instructor will commit to honoring the Lord in all of our actions, attitudes, and achievements throughout the year. This is done best by striving, in thought, word, and deed to do one’s very best in terms of academic excellence, honoring of the Word, and in striving unto Christlike character.
1 Corinthians 10:31 - “…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
RESPECT the CLASS - each student and your instructor will commit to learning the remarkable and valuable lessons of history so that we might live powerfully and effectively for Christ in the present and be challenged to impact the future through the advancement of the gospel and standing for truth, always. Each one will strive to work together in unity so that the class will truly appreciate how the gifts, talents, abilities, and personalities of each member makes the class a productive whole.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - “Therefore, encourage one another, and build each other up, just, as in fact, you are doing.”
RESPECT one ANOTHER - each student and your instructor will commit to striving to develop and grow in humility and servanthood, following the example of Jesus Christ himself who came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. We will commit to learning from the lessons of so many who have gone before us, blazing a trail of faith and courage so that we might run the race God has set before us. In all we strive to learn and do this year, may it be to exalt Christ and esteem others better than ourselves.
Philippians 2:3-4 - “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interest of others.”
**Note** At times we may view dvd’s or other source material. Items shown will always be topic appropriate and no inappropriate content will be shown. At times, certain content involving military themes may have language or content that is not appropriate, yet an action or theme is very instructional - in such instances, I will strive to always use the clear play player when available and regardless, will always seek to honor Christ and His Word in the process.
I have a wide range of history books from my personal library that students will be encouraged to borrow and read for extra credit and personal enrichment. A few books, particularly those of a military nature, may have some language that may be somewhat offensive. If you would like your children not to have access to books of that nature, please let me know and I will note your desire in the appropriate student’s file.
Keep the Keeps:
Keep one’s hands to oneself at all times
Keep oneself under control in words and actions at all times
Keep one’s eyes to one’s own paper at all times
Keep taking notes and staying attentive and organized
Keep asking questions and seeking answers
Keep an open mind and a teachable spirit
Keep oneself accountable at all times
Keep communicating with your teacher
Keep bringing your teacher candy bars
Keep loving history forever and pass it on
MACA History Class Compact
STUDENT COMMITMENT:
I, as a history student at MACA, do commit:
1. To arrive to class each day focused and prepared to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and to not be conformed or molded into the pattern of this world’s principles, but to be transformed by the Word of God through the renewing of the mind and yieldedness of the heart.
2. To, while in class, honor the Lord in all that is said, done, and thought, being respectful of Him, one another, and the subject at hand.
3. To always seek to build up, not tear down, doing unto others as one would have done unto you.
4. To be grateful for the opportunity to attend MACA, where God is glorified, His Word honored and exalted, and where truth is your foundation.
5. To strive to see God’s sovereign hand over all of history and upon every nation and individual life.
6. To learn the lessons of history so as to honor God, uphold truth, flee from evil, and live boldly and courageously for Christ, always.
7. To strive to do the very best one can in all that is required and to help, encourage, and challenge others to do the same.
8. To commit to growing in faith and following hard after God, so that one might, at the end of the school year, be a better citizen of God’s kingdom, a better steward of His world, and a better ambassador for Christ
wherever life may take you.
TEACHER COMMITMENT:
I, as a history instructor at MACA, do commit:
1. To be prepared every day to make history exciting, relevant, and fun, all the while teaching the lessons of history so that they might reveal eternal principles and inspire and challenge students to apply and live in accordance with Biblical principles and worldview.
2. To do all that I can to encourage, train, equip, and challenge each student to excel spiritually and academically unto excellence and Christlikeness.
3. To strive to be a Godly example to each student in all things, always.
4. To create a respectful and Christ honoring environment in the classroom where each student is built up in the faith and appreciated in person, gifts, talents, and abilities as unique blessings from God.
5. To let students pie me in the face at least twice during the school year.
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