The Reason for the Season

There is a saying that says don’t worry about tomorrow because each day has enough trouble of its own. About a month ago nine families at the elementary school I work at were victims of arson. Everything they own was lost in the fire. The families had children ages infants to middle school aged children. I couldn’t help but think about what are they feeling? What is going through their minds and their hearts?

When our faith is tested some times our confidence is broken. In trying times God should be out comfort. My pastor spoke about the beatitudes this past Sunday, and he assured everyone that if we studied these scriptures we would find the keys to happiness. In the book of Matthew 5:3-12:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)
The word "beatitude" comes from the Latin beatitudo, meaning "blessedness." The phrase "blessed are" in each of the beatitudes implies a current state of happiness or well-being. The expression held powerful meaning of "divine joy and perfect happiness" to the people of the day. In other words, Jesus was saying "divinely happy and fortunate are" those who possess these inward qualities. While speaking of a current "blessedness," each pronouncement also promises a future reward.
As the holiday seasons approached I began think what are we truly thankful for? Perhaps a bunch of gifts, money and other materialistic things? What can possibly make that family happy again after enduring such a trying time? Examining the world we live in can cause us to lose sight of some of life’s most precious things. For example, not having enough money to buy Christmas gifts or bills that or over due. We can loose sight of the bigger picture when we major on the minor things in life. The bigger picture is that there is a roof over your head with all the essentials needed for living. The way people view things can cause them to view their blessing in a negative light. Tragedy and any other life changing event will alter the way you think and also change your perspective on life. More importantly, it can impact you in a positive or negative way. Our job as Christian’s is to make sure we don’t lose sight of who and what we are in Christ. In an effort to spread Gods love we should not focus on giving just when the holiday season comes around, we should focus on giving everyday of our lives.

I Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice Forevermore

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, the bible tells us to "Rejoice Forevermore". How can we rejoice when our world seems to be coming apart at the seams? How can we rejoice when we don't know which way to turn and no matter what we try to accomplish it just seems to fall by the wayside? We can rejoice because God told us to. We can rejoice because we know that we have a connection and a relationship to the one who holds the world in the palm of His hand.

As a working, older adult student it sometimes becomes hard for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It seems as if the enemy is attacking me on all sides. This really used to bother me before I began my relationship with Christ, but now that I am in Him and Him in me, I can see that this is just a trick of the enemy. All of my trials and tribulations are simply because the enemy is mad because I've truly given my life to Christ. When you are busy working for God is when the enemy tries to attack you the most.

So when you are studying for your finals, or doing your research paper and it seems as if nothing is coming together for you, take a moment to remember to whom you belong. Ask God for peace in the midst of your storm and He will give it to you.

Homeless for a Night, Swing Dancing, and a Little Bit of Apple Pie

A few weekends ago, along with a van full of other Point students, I attempted something that I never imagined. I became homeless for a night. Every year the City of West Point (soon to be Point University's new home) holds fundraiser to help the homeless in the area. Participants sleep on a football field in cardboard boxes in an attempt to understand what it is like to be homeless.

There was food, smores, and a concert of local bands. There was also a contest for the best cardboard home and the prize was an iPad. Unfortunately when we arrived all of the boxes had been claimed by the middle school and high school participants. At 10pm the organizers promised us that the boxes were coming. So for hours, waiting on boxes, planning to make a cardboard masterpiece, we got to know the people we will be neighbors with next year. Point students, kids, and adults played silly games like red rover and duck, duck, goose. There was soccer and football. It was freezing, but we were having too much fun to notice. Around 3am it became obvious that we would not be receiving cardboard boxes, exhausted and a little disappointed that the Point students were out of the running for the iPad, we all decided to go to sleep underneath the stage, where the concert was held. Shortly after we had all bundled into our sleeping bags, the guy heading up the event made an announcement. Because we did not get a chance to make a cardboard home, there was going to be a talent show. We had five minutes to prepare and the winner would receive a gift card to Wal-Mart for $125. Throughout the night, another Point student, Shaun, had taught me some swing dancing moves. We decided to dance for the show. Point students, Frank and Caleb, did cartwheels and some odd run and jump onto each other thing. Justin and Joseph failed at juggling. Chris and Dustin became German bodybuilders and performed a couple questionable exercises. Shaun and I danced and did that awesome "swing-the-girl-around-your waist-in-the-air" move. Shaun and I won and then we all went to sleep underneath the stage. A few of the guys hung hammocks from the stage. At 5:30am Frank, better know as "Big Frank", began jumping on the stage we were sleeping under and banging metal against the metal beams of the stage. Disgruntled, we forgave him as we drove back to school. I know Frank was trying to be funny, but it made me think that homeless people probably are rudely awaken all the time, by the police or the cold or the sun. Being homeless for a night made me appreciate the warm dorm room I have to sleep in every night.

A week later, I was in West Point again for the annual Christmas Parade. We created a Point University float. It was supposed to look like a train, but it may have looked more like a dog! The float was stuffed with Point University students and as we made our way down the parade route, we obnoxiously sang Christmas Carols, getting the audience to sing along. When we were passing the McDonald's on the parade route a man started running towards our float. I was confused and concerned that he was going to try to jump over the trailer hitch holding the truck and the float together. Instead, the man handed us a McDonald's bag full of apple pies. Where else would that happen? Only in what is know as the Greater Valley area, which contains West Point, Lanett, and the student housing in Valley.

I am so excited to move there! Where we have a community of middle and high schoolers to befriend and mentor, where we can be silly and have fun playing kid's games, and where the people are genuinely compassionate and go out of their way to give to us.

Cram Week

Oh tis' the season to study, fa lalalalala....lalala! Finals week don't we all love studying until our heads explode from all the information we cram into our heads. If you are reading this as a perspective college student, this is the must stress full time of the semester (at least for me it is). I can never seem to get ahead with my studies in time for the hustle and bustle of finals and then I end up turning into a book worm on a pizza and starbucks diet. Even though finals week is stressful its sad, because I know once i finish my last final, I have to leave my friends and my point family. the on the other hand this means that I am one semester closer to graduating :) . also when your finished you go from the stress face to the ..... Party time face!!! So the lesson to learn is to be always prepared ahead of time for finals so that you won't go crazy!!!!!

Christmas Sweaters

I can officially say I’m done with my classes for this semester, and it feels great!!! It’s been the hardest semester I’ve ever had, but since it’s over I have a huge sense of accomplishment. Now, it’s time to play! Call me crazy, but I love finals week. Now don’t get me wrong, no one likes tests and papers, but I’ve found almost everything is due the week before finals week, so the actual “finals week” itself is not so bad! Plus, everyone’s schedule is much more relaxed. You only have an actual class when you have your final, so there’s lots of free time and as a result lots of fun! Every finals week kicks off with a Midnight Breakfast. We really need to come up with a new name for it though because this year it started at 10pm; at least it made us laugh! This year’s started right after Sunday Night Live(our student led worship service every Sunday night). Because this was the last one before Christmas, we were all supposed to wear tacky Christmas Sweaters! As you can see, mine was pretty much the winner! We took pictures with Santa, made gingerbread houses, did Christmas Karaoke, and even had an awkward present wrapping contest! Right after SNL ended, it was time for the not so midnight breakfast. The professors came out to the school and cooked a special meal for us to give us a break from studying and get our last week off to a good start. One of my favorite things about Point is how great the professors are! They go above and beyond to pour into us as students even to the point of wearing aprons and plastic gloves to serve us French toast sticks! It was certainly a fun night! The rest of the week has been filled with Christmas parties, white elephant exchanges, LOTS of cookies, and plenty of merriment! Merry Christmas everyone! J

Tis the Season

Wow, it seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Thanksgiving. I hope that everyone had the best Thanksgiving they could possibly have. I was blessed to be able to celebrate with family and friends in Virginia Beach, Virginia. What made it all the more special is that I was able to spend time with my 82 year old father.

I am one of those people who truly has something to be thankful for. My father is 82 years young and is crazy about the computer. He has a Facebook account and for some reason is even on LinkedIn. My mother is 73 and if something happens to her computer or internet she is calling me or texting me (yes I said texting), as if there is a dire emergency. I love to share with people how computer savvy my parents are. They all seem to get a chuckle out of it.

But now as we move forward into the Christmas Season it is important to remember what this season is really about. When I told my friends and family that I don't like Christmas music they thought that I was a Scrooge or Grinch. But the real reason is because to me, so much of the music really has very little to do with Christ. Exchanging presents and visiting the pretty lights is fun but as we move forward into this Christmas (not Holiday) Season, let's all remember to take time to give thanks and gifts to the one that laid down His life for us, by living in a way that is pleasing to Him. Christmas falls on a Sunday this year. I hope that we, as Christians, will not allow this to keep us from attending Church Services and giving reverence to the Most High. When you wake up on Christmas morning remember what this day represents. To God be the Glory!!