Tuesday, August 25, 2009

a traditionalist at heart

Today marks the beginning of my 24th year here at Baptist Bible College. I won't take the time to rehearse all that's happened in those years, but tonight I just thought I'd write about the traditional CONVOCATION that we open the school year with.

As we lined up today I almost got a little teary just thanking God for His grace and so many blessings that brought me to BBC as well as kept me here. As I stood in line waiting to begin marching (which took a little longer than expected as the Provost tried to get the accompaniest's attention and let him know we were ready! ha!) I was overwhelmed with gratitude. God made me to teach, I know that, and that He's letting me do it again here at BBC is a good thing.

You may need to remind me I said all that as I begin my class schedule with a full day tomorrow. Wednesdays have a back-to-back-to-back (you get the idea) schedule. So hold on, here we go again...and no matter what I might say in the midst of the busy schedule and craziness...I'm so glad I get to do it again.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

a breath of fresh air

at this point, I would consider my summer "officially over". I've just returned from a week of vacation and now its time to finish the preparations for the new semester to begin. Classes will begin in less than 2 weeks, so I've got my work cut out for me.

I returned today from the last bit of summer and as I look back, its been a very busy one. I can't help but thank God for all the blessings He gives. He certainly is gracious. This month started with "Kingdom Bound" in Darien Lake, NY. FLN does a splendid job of hosting this event and has a little something for everyone. My topic was "satisfaction" and I gave 3 choices that David seems to have made as evidenced in his writing of Psalm 63. In and of itself this was a great opportunity, but God gave some wonderful grace gifts on top of it. He allowed me to bring 3 friends along to share the experience. We went to Niagara Falls Sunday night (I spoke Monday afternoon), and saw the fireworks over the falls. What an incredible sight!! All that water. And it just keeps coming; there is no decrease of diminishing of the amount...it just keeps coming. What a great picture of God's lovingkindness and grace. My friends and I were also able to enjoy the park as well as the rest of the scheduled events for that day and the next. This included concerts by Matthew West and Casting Crowns (which we watched from the open field on a clear night!)

After Kingdom Bound I had scheduled a week away to regroup a bit before the semester begins. God was so gracious yet again giving a week of beautiful weather to enjoy along with the company of Christie and her family. They were so kind to allow me to just "be" and join in with their daily life. I'm grateful to God for the refreshment He gives through people, and my friendship with Christie is mutually encouraging and refreshing. What a gift we have.

While away I read a new book...there's a surprise! I had originally taken one I have read before but try to read at least yearly, Humility, by CJ Maheney, but Christie had just gotten several new books so I picked up one of them and started to read. It is "Practical Theology for Women" by Wendy Horger Alsup. Now, there's nothing different that women need to do when learning theology. She doesn't treat the topic as though her readers are weaker. Alsup actually takes a hard-lined practical look at how our beliefs about God really don't match up with what we say we believe about Him. This really leaves us with only 2 options: 1. We don't know about Him, or 2. We choose not to live as though He is for real. The beginning of the book speaks to the matter of faith and what that really looks like and then she dives into some of the content--who God is. If you get a chance, its a good read.

Well, that's a small wrap up from an overflowing heart of gratitude. I feel as though God is giving me new air to breathe. And I want to be sure to take a deep breath.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

the end is near :)

I can hardly believe its August already. Besides being the best month of the year (I'm a little partial!) it means summer is officially coming closer to the end. These months have been so busy, the time seems to have gone by faster than it usually does. LYFE Conference, Basketball AAU tournaments, working in the office, work on the house, friends and family visits...there certainly was alot happening. Today I'll leave for Kingdom Bound! I have to admit, I'm excited and a little nervous. What a neat opportunity. They've asked me to come for a radio interview at 7:30 am and then to speak at 1:30. After that my friends and I get to enjoy some great music and,...even more important...each other :)

Take some time to enjoy what God has placed around you today. I don't want to come to the end of the summer and think to myself, "what in the world did I do these past few months?" I want to keep my eyes open and catch all that God has for me each and every day--sometimes I agree with it and like it, and sometimes I don't, but I'm trying to live more by faith these days than ever. If He is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do (and I believe He is, and will!!) then I need to stop keeping Him in the little box I've made and allow Him to be my God.

Live like crazy today and find your true satisfaction in God alone. David wrote about it in Psalm 63...check it out!