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