November 17th, 2007
The End
I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4
Has it really been two weeks since I last wrote? I am sooo sorry! Before I begin, would you mind just yelling “Wahoo” for me? (Did everyone around you look at you funny? hehe) This week I finished my first term at Northeastern Seminary!!!!!!! For the final project we needed to write a 20 page paper summarizing the term, the information, what stood out for us in our personal lives….. I will NOT subject you to reading the entire 20 pages (mine went 2 lines onto the 20th page – I was NOT an overachiever this time!!), but I decided to just summarize some of the things I thought about this term.
God is in control. This term we studied from Genesis to 135 AD when Rome demolished the Jewish temple. As we looked at the rise and fall of empires and the intertwining of people’s lives, it hit me afresh that although we may not see clearly from our vantage point, God sees the entire world picture and can control everything. Tragedies do happen, but we will never have peace through them until we submit our hearts and minds to the knowledge that God can control.
God desires relationship. God wants a relationship with humans. Not just tolerates a relationship, but seeks after it. Can you even imagine if that truth fully hit any one of us? How our lives would stop revolving around us, our pampering, our desires and our justifying of sin? I am not writing this to make any of us feel guilty. We are humans and I don’t think we’ll ever really “get it” while we’re on this earth. It was just a thought I contemplated.
Jesus Christ is central. This probably seems obvious, but as we studied “Christology” (the study of Christ), I became amazed again at the life of Jesus. Here was a man born into the Jewish nation who caused such a stir that a fragment split off and began an entirely new religion. He never fought a battle, built a physical worship center or sat on an earthly throne. However, for over 2,000 years now he has radically affected lives.
Well, there are a few of the things I wrote about. Some other things I learned during the semester: I actually like COLD V8 juice (I had never tried it, but was surprised that it was palatable). I am most content while spending time with my family and with friends just “hanging out” (I didn’t realize until we needed to keep a journal of “peaceful” times in our lives how much I enjoy just being with people without a specific agenda). I am more in love with my husband than I probably ever have been as I see his sacrifices for me (he now helps with laundry, helps get the kids to school, watches them Thursday nights…). We serve a faithful God. Thanks for all your prayers this term as I drove to Rochester every week. The next term begins Dec. 6th. I have been so encouraged by all of you women who have supported me in this endeavor. I thank God every time I remember you!