Ecuador

In 9 days I will be leaving to spend a little over 2 months in San Jose and Curia, Ecuador. Next Sunday I will fly to Ecuador with a group from Georgia Tech's CCF and spend two weeks serving with them, building a bamboo bridge, running sports camp, and teaching computer classes, using computers donated by Point University. Point student Tyler Blount will also be coming! When the Georgia Tech group leaves I will stay behind and over the course of the summer I will work in the local schools, put on Vacation Bible Schools, serve in the church, and do whatever else is needed. I am so excited about the opportunity to go and just be available to be used by God to do whatever is needed! SNL or Sunday Night Live, the student-led Sunday Night Worship service at Point, sponsored a clothes drive to collect clothes for me to take for the people in San Jose and Curia. We had a competition between the boys and the girls. The girls brought the most clothes and won a free dinner before SNL last week. I am amazed at the clothes! My car cannot hold all of them! Point has already had a huge impact on the people in San Jose and Curia. In June, Point Professor Alan Kemper and his family are coming to live near me in Ecuador for a month. They will be scouting out missions opportunities for Point students to serve in Ecuador next summer and gain class credit at the same time. As Christians, every part of our lives should be missions. Point is so great at encouraging this, through clothes drives, computer donations, and even summer mission trips.

A Bible Study So Great They Named the School After It!

Well maybe not, but we like to say it is! My freshmen year, a woman's Bible Study was started called Exclamation Point. It was once a month and offered a time for the women of our campus to come together in fellowship and be encouraged to live bold lives for Christ. Over the years, the name was altered and became The Point. Soon afterwards, the school announced that Atlanta Christian College was becoming Point University, for reasons completely unrelated to our Bible Study, regardless of the amazing ministry it had offered. History lesson aside, this past Thursday was our last ever The Point on our East Point campus. I have had the huge blessing of being on the leadership team for this ministry, and I was so excited to see so many girls come out! We had ice cream sundaes and gathered in McKinney's Coffehouse to hear from Lindsey Fifield. Lindsey has worked on a college campus for about ten years and has seen many girls our age go through a lot. She wanted to share some of the wisdom she has gathered over the years. Personally, she has been one of the biggest mentors in my life. She lives on campus with her husband and adorable son, who I have the privilege of babysitting almost everyday. Over the years, she has helped me through so much and taught me so much about life. She also works to help develop the girl Campus Life Ministers(CLMS), which are similar to Resident Assistants in other schools. In our meetings each week, we have been sharing our life rules.. It was only fitting that this night she shared three of her life rules. She encouraged us not to stress over our futures and realize that the only choices that will permanently alter the course of our lives are getting married and having a baby. Secondly, she reminded us that relationships are and should be the greatest gift we will ever receive and that they shouldn't have to be so difficult or require so much fighting to make work. Finally, she challenged us to value others and help others see their value. The whole night was incredible, and I think we all benefited from what Lindsey had to share! I'm excited to see how The Point will continue-West Point edition! :)

Spring has Sprung!

I'm not sure about you, but this spring is flying by for me! I have officially completed all of my courses to obtain my Associate of Arts degree. The graduation tests have been taken, the cap and gown ordered. I'm really very excited about the whole process. On one hand, I realize that I am still in classes and will be continuing on for a couple of more years (then more tests and another cap and gown) but this is the first time since 1995 that I've worn these types of garments. I was a bit torn at first as to whether I would walk or not. I haven't completed my time at Point University, but I have accomplished something that took me many years to get around to doing. I talked to some of my classmates and professors and the consensus is that we should celebrate what we have accomplished, even if it is not the Bachelors degree just yet. It is still an important stepping stone. I just can't wait to experience this accomplishment with some of my family and the friends that I have made in my first two years at Point.

Leave Your Thank-you on the Table

By: A.S.B. Jr.
Edited By: Kamilah Veone Smith

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV)

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

   

    My father worked in the restaurant business for about half of his life. He started out working in the Half Way House in Richmond, Va.  It has an Old’ English setting, but it is very upscale. As a waiter or waitress, you serve your customers with the upmost care and responsibility, making sure every need and want is being addressed, and having good posture, and supreme etiquette. This type of job is not designed for the average attendant because as my dad would say “I take pleasure in ensuring your customer leaves coming back.” He would tell me even if the food was not up to expectations he knew his customer service was impeccable. He notice, and understood the reason behind the art and he always brought my attention to his tip money. My first thoughts were my goodness!!! Customers pay for good service, and waiters/ waitresses recognize this simple method (or should I say some of them do…), however the case, waiters or waitresses who wait on you and give you good service should be recognized by the tip you as a customer leave behind on the table.

   Have you noticed in today’s churches a substantial amount of people who attend? Have you also noticed the cracked pavement, the leaks in the roof, the children and youth ministry needing to have better activities and resources? Ministers fixing and working on things they have no idea about? This all comes from what you leave at the tithe and offering plate. Your pastor and ministers work diligently to provide for the services you see every church service, bible study, or other activity. To leave your church with a thank you of words but no cumshaw or $$$ is total neglect because God gives you everything you need, and some wants. God continuously provides for the storehouse, however seeing you give will enable him to bless you even the more. I am a witness to that remarkable discovery. Regardless of circumstances keep in mind those who serve you or else you will lose out.

Waiting on the Lord

Sometimes we are so tempted to take matters into our own hands when things get tough. Many of us fail to realize that God is the creator of all things and that we can be more specific when asking for help with our problems. God tailor-made solutions to each and every one of our problems. All of our trouble has potential to become a victory for us. Inevitably, problems, disappointments and setbacks will occur in all of our lives. Quite commonly as Christians we think that because we have a devotion to the Lord that we are exempt from the uncertainty of life. As a Christian it is impossible to be “drama free” but it is possible to be “drama proof.” In the midst of all your pain and strife and in the middle of your struggle, remember that God is working. Sometimes, God will delay his deliverance because he is teaching you something. It takes a lot of faith to sit back and let God be in control. As we mature as Christians, we should learn to develop discernment. When God teaches us a lesson he is simply trying to sharpen our discernment and spiritual stature. When things get the most hectic that’s when you need to pray. Having a connectedness to God through prayer can create a breakthrough.

“All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.

I think that’s what it’s all about—purpose. When we try to solve our own problems we fight against His purpose. Being submissive to His will and His purpose will bring you to your place of deliverance. Once you are delivered, you need to start moving and paying the most attention. When God says move, wherever you are you better start moving! No matter what condition you are in, not matter what the circumstance…..START MOVING!!