A Breath or Two

Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God how to love each other.

-1 Thessalonians 4:9

Another monthly update!

I don't know about other colleges, but after Thanksgiving break Siena is drained.

Despite that, Siena College kids have a ton of Good stuff going on!

We recently partook in Campus Sustainability Day, a student-run event where environmental government branches and eco-friendly companies came to preach the idea of being sustainable! It was a huge hit. TOMS shoes set up a booth, and we had a good amount of kids (including those from Real Life Fellowship--thanks guys!) come to visit. Getting the word out there about TOMS, and about being ethical in general, was incredible.

We also recently indulged and went out to Buca di Beppos along with RPI students from Real Life Fellowship (Campus Crusade Bible studies).

Most importantly, Christ has been affecting our hearts. Through engaging in media and mediums such as "when God writes your love story," "Irresistible Revolution," "The Shack," as well as other Christian literature; through listening to Christian bands such as Switchfoot, Deas Vail, Relient K, Future of Forestry, and Jason Waller (if you couldn't tell from the titles of the blogs!); as well as studying the ethics of secular TV shows such as "glee;" Siena Christians have been changed. Christ recently has put it on our hearts to start to change our lives completely. We now ask ourselves the reason for us being at school. Some of us have found that maybe Christ does not want us here, but elsewhere in the world, making a difference in some other way. We have also taken the time to start evaluating our Bible study. More to come of that later....

What we took part in over Thanksgiving break!

-Prepared lunches at the Capital City Rescue Mission

-Gathered for fellowship around the capital district

-Regrouping in the Word

-Equinox Trips

-Feeding the hungry in Massachusetts

-Spending time with family (blood related, or Blood related)

-And of course...keeping one another in prayer!

Unto the upright, there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

-Psalm 112:4

Everyone Did What Was Right In Their Eyes

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

-James 1:27

It is absolutely fascinating to see how different people are raised. One most definitely gets to see that in college.

Whether you were brought up in a Christian home or not, ethics, either the teaching of or the learning of, becomes a huge aspect of our childhood to early adulthood. It seems as if every family, Christian or not, seem to focus on a select group of ethics. The children, thus, become focused on those ethics for at least part of their lives if not all of their lives. It is important for us, as Christians, to realize that non-Christians or other groups of Christians may be living a more godly life than we are. Sometimes we get caught up in our society, and the Christian society that has formed in the US, and we stop getting caught up in how Christ tells us to live.

It's great to support Christian artists by buying a band's new CD, or a clothing company's new Christian t-shirt--there is no doubt about that. However, does Christ tell us to live a life keeping up with pop-Christian culture, or does He tell us to give all that we have to the poor? Why are we so quick to judge the non-Christian's motives for working a day in a soup kitchen, when we spend the whole day in our room bumming about and rocking out to the new Above the Golden State CD? Why do we speculate as to why the atheist student volunteers to wake up at seven on a Saturday morning to bring inner-city children to breakfast at the cafeteria, when we're sitting there eating waffles and watching ESPN? Let's face it, we may know the Truth, we may even speak the Truth, but do we live the Truth? To the fullest? At all?

Reading Christ's Word and understanding Christ's word is just part of it. Your faith truly develops when you love Christ with your whole heart by listening and doing whatever He leads you to do. It's time to readjust our mindsets, to be truly focused on Him.

In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

-Luke 14:33

Light

God once said, "Let the light shine out of the darkness!" This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.

-2 Corinthians 4:6

"I'll watch the glint in my eye

Shine off the spring in my step

And could be blinding depending on the amount of you that I reflect"

-Relient K, Forget and Not Slow Down

Wow. So powerful. Have you ever had Christ shine through you so brightly that It was blinding?

Something to pray about.

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

-Psalm 37:6

Gaze Into Your Eyes

When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord's angel had told him to do. Joseph took Mary as his wife, but he did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to the son. And Joseph named him Jesus.

-Matthew 1:24-25

My new NCV devotional got me thinking.

So recently I've been against myself buying a devotional--why would we need one if Christ supplied us with the Bible?! It is just money we can give to someone who needs it. However, as I was going through Barnes and Noble today (Christmas shopping), I came across this devotional. Something about it was really attractive (hmm...Christ possibly?). So I bought it.

I started with the Monday devotional--my bad, but from tonight's prayer, it was God's Plan.

What if we (all of God's children) said yes to Christ for the whole day? Yes to Christ, no to Satan, for absolutely everything. Oh, how the world would differ! We would give up our riches, and all come together as a family. Once the day was over, we would all live our lives, "grow our roots," starting in a different location. That one change in our lives would change a lot of things afterwards, at least for a while.

Then I got praying about myself in that situation. What if I said yes to Christ about absolutely everything for one day? For the rest of my life? What if I got a group of friends together, and the whole day we said yes to Him in all ways, and no to any Distractions. What could that one day do? Where would your roots start to grow? How could that one change, change the whole world?

As obedient children,

we do not conform to the evil desires

you had when you lived in ignorance.

-1 Peter 1:14

and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey to Christ.

-2 Corinthians 10:5

Excuses

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults; and with my song I give thanks to him.

-Psalm 28:7

Yesterday I was looking for my keys at my house so that I may go to class. Not only did I lose my college keychain a couple of days ago,--with my keys to the house, my dorm, my mailbox, my car, and my CPR pack--I now lost the spare key for my car. Walking around looking for my spare key, I knew that God would help me find it, and whether or not I found it would be part of His plan. He knows where He wants me and when.

I finally realized that if I put all of my trust in Him, and don't doubt Him, He will greatly reward me. In the perfect moment, Christ lead me to my keys, not the spare one, however, but the full set (my college lanyard), those that I thought I possibly lost at school. What a blessing!

And now, O Lord GOD, you are God,

and your words are true,

and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

-2 Samuel 7:28

He is that Good. He will always be that Good, no matter what. Putting our trust in Him may seem like a difficult task in the beginning, because most people think of it as losing more control. However, giving Him the control , and fully trusting in Him is the only way to truly live! You want to be free and live a life of goodness and happiness? Live the life that Christ has blessed you with! True freedom and righteousness comes from Him alone. It is very liberating to give Him everything!

May we all trust in Him, and His beautifully scripted plans for our lives!

Many are the woe's of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds those who trust in him.

-Psalm 32:10

The Great Physician

For just as the sufferings of Christ over flow into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

-2 Corinthians 1:5

For tomatoes, manure is the best fertilizer. Foul, decayed waste is the best way to produce the best fruits. So if you find yourself in a bad situation, where your atmosphere is seemingly “dead,” that means that God planted you there as the seed. The fruits of your labors will be plentiful in such a situation if you use God’s Word to quench your soul.

-paraphrase of Pastor Ed Marcelle’s Sermon from Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sometimes we get discouraged in life. We feel alone, abandoned, lost, or misguided. However, as Pastor Ed Marcelle has reminded us, sometimes the most "dead" atmosphere is where Christ wants you, as a seed--growing in Him and sharing in your faith daily. Christ has you where you are today, at this very moment for a reason. Not saying that He may want you to prepare to change location in the future, but you are where you are because it is His Idea. Instead of living in the future, we must live everyday in the present. We are called to bring Christ's Kingdom here. For Christ dwells in all of us! We must be the temple for Christ; loving Him in fellowship, ministry, missions, prayer, faith, mercy, love, kindness, gentleness, goodness, purity, etc.

Whatever Christ has called you to today, I pray that you seek after that--that His plan for you right now becomes how you life the life that He created!

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones to hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

-Mark 4:20

Over It

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

-Philippians 4:6

So funny story...

The RPI and Siena Bible studies went out the other night for some great Italian food at a local, family-style restaurant. On our way back, however, we realized that it was past 9 p.m.--the time where Campus Safety checks all the Siena IDs of every person in every car. As Miss Kymberly Grove (of Wheaton College, IL) was with us, sheer panic took over once we realized we had "outsiders" in the car. Dave, Joe, and I were trying to figure out how to hide Kym under the backseat (for she is quite tiny!). As we worked at this (while driving back to school, mind you) Joe asked me to pray for the situation. We took a couple moments to pray for God's guidance. One part of the prayer was that no matter what situation is thrown in our path, that we may follow Him, and Him alone.

After we finished praying, we decided to not deceive our Public Safety officers, and we decided to that we were just going to go register Kym as a guest instead (and thus not lie!!). Upon arriving at check in, Dave, Joe, and I whipped out our Saint Cards. The cop viewed them, and then told us to continue on in. We all got so excited! We chose to respect Christ, and the one time that Public Safety didn't check every single person's ID was when we prayed that we may never go against Him. It was incredible to see prayer really work, in one event, instantaneously.

After we all left the car, we went our separate ways, and Kym went home. Now, this may be just one example, but there has been several times this year, in my life alone, that Christ has rewarded His people for just having a pure heart and wanting to follow after Him. There have been events that looked overwhelming, with no way out, but Christ's grace has always been there. The power of His Love, and prayer in incredible. I encourage us all to change our hearts and mindset through prayer. He can truly work in all things.

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And he withdrew from them a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but your will be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

-Luke 22:39-43

If You Believe Me

I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 3:14

"Keep your head up...and by that I mean look to God."

-Matt MaLossi as messenger, Christ as Voice

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

-Colossians 3:1

Tell Me

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

-Romans 8:35

A Love Poem:

Stop trying to prove your love to me.

I love you anyway.

I called you when you were a sinner.

I call you now that you remain one.

Do not submit to Satan,

But to the Lord, God, who Loves you with all of His Being.

For I know your heart,

And I love you anyway.

Give Me your heart,

And I will give you the desires of My Heart.

Be still in Me,

and I will show you The Way.

No matter what you do,

I will love you anyway.

I weep for you,

And desire you.

My love knows no bounds.

My passion for you reaches farther than My hands that stretch from the east to the west.

I created your heart, knowing that you will deny me.

But I love you anyway.

I suffered for your loss.

I died for My beloved children.

I made you in My Image.

Understanding that you will reject Me, I crafted you perfectly, despite.

For I love you, every way.

And I will never stop loving you, in any way.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

-Colossians 2:2

Beautiful

"Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

-Mark 1:17, 18

When Christ gives us direction, we must follow Him. Now when we feel like it, but when He calls us.

My challenge to you is to follow Him with your whole being. If He calls you, drop whatever you're doing, and follow Him. Just as the apostles were working in what they thought were to be their life long professions, Christ literally called them to follow Him and become fishers of another kind. They immediately dropped their nets, and followed Him.

It is about time that we surpass those plans that we have for ourselves. Those plans that our families, friends, co-workers, professors, etc. have for us, and we follow His Plan. Not that we plan to follow His Plan, but that we do so right now.

What He wants us to do might not be something we ever thought He would call us to. Just as fishermen, tax collectors, physicians, and tent collectors never thought that Christ would call them to be apostles and missionaries. We must be still, wait, listen, and obey to His most beautiful voice, His sweet ideals, and luscious plans.

Do not be discouraged. He will lead us in the right direction. All we need is faith.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

-Jeremiah 29:11

O Come Let Us Adore Him

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He may bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.

-1 Peter 3:18

Christ died for Christians and non-Christians.

For women and for men.

For friends and for enemies.

For scholars and for athletes.

For dreamers and for thinkers.

For the wise and for the weak.

For the lost and the found.

For missionaries and musicians.

For the givers and the receivers.

For the listeners and the speakers.

He came for all of us to live together. As one.

Under Him, and Him alone.

For Him, and Him alone.

To love with no conditions.

To seek without ceasing.

To live without fear.

To be strong when we are weak.

We cannot do this without everyone.

It's easy when you're in a Christian community,

To remember to love one another in the community.

What about all of God's children?

All the believers, non-believers, women, men,

friends, enemies, scholars, athletes,

dreamers, thinkers, wise, weak,

lost, found, missionaries, musicians,

givers, receivers, listeners, and speakers?

What about everyone else?

Whom are you going to love today?

Whomever Christ calls you to?

Those who believe what you believe?

Those who love you?

How do you create your conditions in which to love someone?

Christ loves with no bounds.

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all...

-2 Corinthians 5:14

You and I

My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.

-Proverbs 2:1-5

"You just can't understand!"

Sometimes when people tell us that we can't and don't understand, it doesn't necessarily mean that we haven't gone through whatever event in their lives that they're having problems with, and thus we have no possible way of conceiving what has happened to them. It typically means that we aren't being understanding.

Through prayer, loving His children, and reading His Text we may be able to become understanding. However, if we refuse to see through "a sinners eyes," (We're all sinners--this we know. However, if we don't see through the eyes of those who ask us for help, what help can we be?), how can we truly see the human person that we are. So many times we are quick to judge, and demand that other Christians are to be as Jesus is, but fact is, is that we are humans working to be like Jesus. We will fall, and we have to be understanding towards others weaknesses--so that we may build one another up in love!

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path,

so that our ministry will not be discredited.

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:

in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

in purity, understanding, patience and kindness;

in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God;

with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

-2 Corinthians 6:3-7

Christ gave us all specific strengths and weaknesses, so that we may help connect with one another in community--in unity. We cannot become unified if we decide to let those who are struggling die off. We all struggle! Satan loves to get at all of us. We must all stand strong with one another in His name, so as to overcome all the evils of this world.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

-Mark 12:30-34

I'll Love You So

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

-Galatians 5:13-15

This is just silliness really, but here are some pictures that portray more reasons why not to be quick to judge!

This may in fact look like I have murdered someone in a bathtub.

With my bare hands.

Truth: I dyed Julie's hair Cinnaberry.

This may appear to be an "illiterate jock."

Truth: I just make faces. I can't help it.

(And my GPA appears to be fine, thank you.)

Just because I play sports, does not mean that my intelligence

is any less than the "average college student's",

or even the above average!

This may appear to be a group of

three drunk high school students at prom.

Truth: We are straightedge.

Our school never had prom (we're not allowed to dance).

We had a banquet where we dressed up and ate food.

And it was fantastic!

There are many more serious reasons as to why we should not judge one another, however, judging can be found in the "smaller" things as well. Let us all help one another, so that we may purify our hearts. We must learn to see one another as Christ sees us!

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

-1 Peter 1:22

Your Love is a Song

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.... Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

-1 Corinthians 12:12, 27

So recently, community has been put on the hearts of Christian across the nation. It has been incredible. However, our Real Life Fellowship group, while reading through Ephesians, started to see how Christ has called us to community.

In Ephesians chapter 4, Christ calls us through Paul to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Eph 4:1)." Paul then goes on to write, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."There is one body and one Spirit...one hope....one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and father of all, who is over all and through all and in all....Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph 4:3-6, 15, 16)"

Yes, Christ calls us to be unified in Him. Community is so much more than the body of people, it's the unity amongst them. Now, this doesn't just mean that unity needs to be with people all of the same age group (i.e. all college aged Christians), but that means that both young and old need to come together in Christ.

Recently, I got to experience this first hand. My church, Terra Nova, has Bible studies called "New Tribes." In these New Tribes the age range is very wide (youngest in our group is 19, eldest is what I'm assuming to be late fifties). It is evident that our New Tribe is a spiritual family. If it wasn't for the fact that we all look so very different, people might mistake us for being a blood-related family (as if a spiritual family isn't...).

Now, unity does not mean sameness. In fact, Christ has created us all to be very, very different.

And He Himself gave some to be

apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ,

till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

-Ephesians 4:11-13

It is together that we function as one. We, as the church, all compliment one another. If we were made complete, knowing and having all things, then God wouldn't have created all of us. It is because of our differences that we need to be united, so that Christ may be honored in all ways.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

-Ephesians 2:19-23

Baby

Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

-1 Timothy 4:12

We acknowledge that 17-22 years is, in comparison, about the size of a drop in a bucket when it comes to eternity. With the average age of death being raised, being 20(ish) is now even consider to be a "baby age" in society. However, just because there is a higher life expectancy, and eternity is longer than we dare grasp, this does not mean that we are as children. Christ calls us to mature spiritually in Him; to never stop running in His direction, to never get so "comfortable" in your faith that you stop trying to grow in Him (Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. -2 Peter 3:18).

Being Active in a Church!

(Terra Nova Church)

Undergraduate studies typically last between 3 and 5 years. During said time, we have an incredible opportunity that Christ has blessed us with. We live with His people that are of the same age as ourselves, we are able to study what He has called us to grow in, and we have opportunities to do service in His name. We must not cease to love Him! With such an opportunity, not loving Him and postponing getting involved in His Word and works is such a waste of the precious life that we he has blessed us with!

Witnessing with Sports!

(Siena College Women's Rugby Football Club)

He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him;

he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses.

And the LORD was with him;

he was successful in whatever he undertook.

-2 Kings 18:6-7a

Donate!

(Locks of Love)

Christ is able to reveal all things to whom He chooses. We must stay close to Him, for He has planned to reveal so many things to us. At such a young age, with such a unique opportunity, never think that Christ will leave you hanging with nothing to do until you graduate and become a "real person." He has something perfect planned for you right now, not just for later in life.

Research!

(Siena-Hudson Greenway Project)

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put childish ways behind me.

-1 Corinthians 13:11

Birds

You are holy to me because, I, the Lord, am holy and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.

-Leviticus 20:26

Alright Ladies, let's talk about modesty. Things to W.A.T.C.H. for:

-Words

-Actions

-Thoughts

-Clothing

-Hearts

WORDS

Ladies, our words have a huge impact on everyone, including men. When you die to your sins, you die to the gossip, judgement, and perverted flirtations that consumes some of our mouths.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up

according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

(Ephesians 4:29)

ACTIONS

Flirting is extremely dangerous. If Christ was next to your while you flirted with a man who isn't your husband, what would He say? What if your husband was standing beside you, how would he feel? Respect is about more than not giving your body to someone. You need to respect yourself with all of your actions. What do your actions say to Christ?

I will show you my faith by what I do

(James 2:18)

THOUGHTS

God can hear all our thoughts: the beautiful and the unwholesome. Make sure that your thoughts are pure thoughts, thoughts of Christ. Our actions come from our thoughts about something, so let's make sure to completely purify ourselves! So as to love Him even more! Then, you will be able to hear His sweet words sung to you daily!

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things

(Philippians 4:8)

CLOTHING

Girls, we demand a certain kind of respect from the clothing that we wear. How can you honor Christ and His love today with your attire alone? What does your outfit say about how much you love Him and your brothers?

I want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety

(1 Timothy 2:9a)

HEARTS

Our hearts are where all of our actions and thoughts come from. If you have a pure heart, cleansed by Christ, you'll have a pure, God-like life.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

(Matthew 5:8)

May you desire to purify your souls. May we truly die to all of our sins, so that we may love purely! Ladies, it is time to be set apart--from society, from gossip, from cliques---from Satan, for Christ alone.

You are God's Workmanship--a word that comes from the word "poema." Poema is the Greek word for poem or masterpiece. Ladies, God does not make junk. He has painted you, crafted you, to be even more delicate than the paintings that you see at museums--those that people dare to not touch, talk badly of, or harm in anyway. You deserve more respect and more care than that of something that was man-made. God has created you with even more beauty. Please, take care of His Artwork, His Poetry. Through modesty, you can seek to keep, and restore, His Creation.

Rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desire of the sinful nature

-Romans 13:14

Sunlight

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.

-Philippians 4:7

When God knocks, you're going to want to run to answer.

Tonight from 6 pm-7 pm was Chemistry test #2. A stressful event for most to say the least.

Science majors may be known for their intellect, composure, and competitive GPAs, but what were more known for is our anxiety. Coming from outside and walking into the science lounge was a frightful event. It was as if a maddening wind blew straight through our science facilities, and the most intense amount of panic consumed those who got in its way. Girls were shaking, knees buckling, and nervous chatter flowed from their mouths. Men with their notebooks sprawled across their bodies, asking everyone about equations that will most definitely not be on the test. Everyone was in disarray.

Despite the chaos abroad, I was at peace. This was not because I am some chemistry genius (for I am not), it is not because I studied for two weeks straight without eating or sleeping (for I did not), nor is it because of any kind of distorted confidence that I have with the subject matter (I ask for help with chem multiple times a day). Christ has truly saved me from all of this misery.

This year, I finally allowed Christ to come in. Previously, most of the time when I heard Him knock on any door referring to my stress levels, I would respond to Him with bolting on an extra lock. Before I nailed "academic stress" onto His cross, that door must have had millions of fixtures.

He brings a continuous peace that you cannot find without Him. A peace that causes you to change in your entirety. You become like Him.

Think this is too big of a task? Then who do you say He is?

And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Peter answered him, "You are the Christ."

-Mark 8:29

Our Savior calls us to follow after Him in all ways. That includes giving Him all of your burdens.

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the earth.

-Luke 21:34, 35

Forget and Not Slow Down

For with what judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

-Matthew 7:2

Most recently I have been made aware of my many flaws. I have realized that more often than not, we think that we honest towards people. However, those same people that we are honest with, we talk about behind their backs. I've realized that being gossiped about, being judged, it hurts. Most importantly, I've realized that I have hurt people through gossip, through judgement, whether they realize it or not. I am sorry.

In order to help us all get past this evil, we must realize what Christ calls us to do when we have troubles with someone. Yes, we do acknowledge the fact that He will judge rightly (Judgement will be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it. -Psalm 95:15), but if we see that what someone is doing does not align with Christ and His Word, we are not supposed to be angry and gossip (A perverse man stirs up dissension, and gossip separates close friends. -Proverbs 16:28). Yes, of course, as Christians we will be upset at sin (The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. -Proverbs 13:5), but being quick to anger will only bring about other negative qualities, and more sin (Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. -Psalm 37:8). We must be honest (Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth. -Proverbs 16:12, 13) with one another. However, we must speak to the person who has affected our hearts directly (If your brother sins against, you go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along...-Matt 18:15,16a).

We must speak honestly, through Christ alone. Through prayer and reading His word, we will obtain knowledge and wisdom from Christ directly. But we must speak ("So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell...-Matt 10:26-28).

I know that so many times we just want to say what we want to say, and forget everything else. Christ calls us to love one another, speak to one another honestly, and forgive entirely. Please remember His words next time you are tempted to talk about one another. With Christ at the center of our hearts, He will not lead us astray.

It's time to truly die to ourselves, and become resurrected with Jesus.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

-Matthew 7:3-5

My Hope is Built

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

-Psalm 16:8

I was talking to a family member today about being a believer in Christ. I was saying how I don't understand how power amongst the Christian community becomes such a big problem; how we can let Satan use us to pervert His work and His love through the gifts, such as leadership, that Christ has given us. I was explaining how all believers should be considered leaders because Christ gives all of us gifts to use for Him and His Kingdom. However, my family member interjected and said, "But, the point is that you're all followers." 

I stopped right there. We are all followers of Christ. In order to truly let Him lead us, we need to deny ourselves, give everything we have on Earth to the poor, pick up our crosses, and truly follow Him. Sometimes we get lost in preparing for Christ, and we forget that we should be as Mary, and always be at His feet. We all must run after the Lover of our souls, but to remember that we are running after Him, meaning that He is before all of us. 

Most of the time, a leader of Christ doesn't even acknowledge that they are a leader for Him. They just continually love Him, with their whole hearts each and everyday. We acknowledge that Christ made us to be His people, we acknowledge that Christ gave us incredible spiritual gifts in order to love Him more, but how many times do we acknowledge that in order to be a leader in Christ, we must be a follower of Christ? 

We may say that He comes before me, but then why do we have problems with power? Why do we have problems with pain? Why do we have problems with judgement? Why do we have problems with honesty? Why do we have problems with anger? Our eyes must be set upward, in His direction. Otherwise, we remain focused on what's behind us: the sin, the doubt, the shortcomings; and we get lost in them. 

To follow means that we have to keep Him in focus, and if He isn't in front of us, what are we focusing on? 

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

-Psalm 61:2

For the Good

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

-Colossians 1:9-11

Good evening and God Bless,

Christ truly worked through chem lab tonight. It has become tradition for the wonderful young ladies that I sit at a lab table with to complain about lab, through casual joking, and the occasional tears. I most definitely join in, in both activities. Often. However, it's been on my heart recently to change the way that I respond towards the dreaded subject (Do everything without complaining or arguing. Phil 2:14).

While doing Experiment #8, our lab on titration, Christ made Himself known to me. After a "chem bash" of ours I started to wonder why I was taking chemistry in the first place. Sure, I may be an environmental major at Siena, but Christ has called me to transfer, and to get more involved with my Biblical studies major (currently referred to as my Religious Studies major at Siena) while at another school. Christ then started speaking to my heart. He would teach me through chemistry, not necessarily chemistry itself.

Titration takes a long time. A very long time. If you are a science major, I cringe with you at the word. However, if you sit and be still, wait for the presence of blue (when using a thymol blue indicator) or pink (phenolphthalein), you won't have to do the whole lab over again. So I waited. For every drop (or "half drop") I watched, swirled, and was still in His presence. My partner, however, grew impatient, and would completely open the buret and dispense several mL of solution at a time. Her results in the end were incomplete.

My partner quickly learned patience in lab after three unsuccessful titration trials; the only way she will get the correct answers is if she waited. How many trials will we rush before we go to Him who has all the answers?

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him,

-Psalm 37:7a

Puzzles and Pieces

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us is very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-2 Peter 1:3-8

Greetings and God Bless,

I was talking with a friend over lunch today. The "cup" image was brought up today, and I find it to be an extremely good method for how to think about our spiritual lives. 

The "cup" image explained:

Look at yourselves as a goblet or cup. Christ will pour His Love into you

(through His word, His works, His people), 

and your cup will get to the point where it overflows.

 This overflow will flow into other people's cup, 

thus other people see, hear, and feel God's love in their lives, 

through said vessel for Christ. 

One aspect of the cup model that got brought up, that I usually don't think about while discussing the cup model, is the point of salvation--being born again. At the point where "Christ clicks" is the first time when your cup overflows. You have every desire to go directly to Christ, and to His believers to talk about Him! 

If you are believer, talking to a nonbeliever about Christ, remember that the nonbeliever's cup does not have plastic wrap over the top of it. Christ's love will not hit said plastic and spill to the floor. The cup will slowly start to be filled, until salvation--when the cup will overflow for its very first time. Just remember, that Christ's love will never stop flowing. 

Also, without fellowship we find our cups to be on empty, which effects all other parts of our life: the physical, emotional, mental. Our spiritual lives encompass, and therefore effects, all other parts of our lives. We just have to continually love Him through everything that we do. So that we might be quenched! We are the Body of Christ! Christ created a body of believers for a reason. Every part is important, and every part must be functioning. 

Be devoted to one another 

in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

-1 Corinthians 10:16

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

-1 Corinthians 12:12