Anna’s Blog

(Yep, Luther livin large.)

In Church History, we are now (finally!) focusing our study on the Protestant Reformation. THIS is what I've been waiting for! While the early church fathers are interesting, and the early issues the church faced are incredibly important, I cannot keep Athanasius from blending into Ambrose... or Cyril and Clement and Irenaeus and Ignatius... from Antioch, Alexandria, Rome ROME ROME. So HOORAY for Luther, Zwingli and Calvin!

Interesting about Luther, though. Sure I watched the movie with Joe Fiennes... but in studying Luther as himself: his personality in contrast with his theology, his spirit in concord with his protest, he is perhaps not the quintessential Christian model of righteous living. He made mistakes. He spoke controversially, and often lived controversially. He is, though, a characteristic, outspoken, totally unreserved Christian - going through the typical highs and lows of the faith. Something we neglect to remember sometimes: Christians suffer. Christians struggle with faith, with trust. The supposed "Health and Wealth Gospel" cannot answer for that. Some gospel. REAL hope and REAL truth is found in Christ alone. Solo Christo.

We may struggle against Him, in our fallen human state - thinking we hold the answers, are capable of holding the answers, though the secret things belong to God (Deut 29:29). Real hope and REAL truth is found in the Person of Jesus Christ. And if we, like Luther, find our foundation in this truth, the joy is ours.

Consider with me the lyrics to Luther's famous hymn. Treasure these truths!

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our shelter He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow'r are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth is His name, From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And tho' this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim -- We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs -- No thanks to them -- abideth:
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Posted by Anna at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wow. So if ever my head could explode, it would have been on Tuesday.

I wish I could scan a page out of my daily planner, so you could SEE the sheer number of things I needed to do.

Anyway. Due to the incredible stress and busyness of this week, I haven't had time to write the blog I had intended to (something far more interesting, I'm afraid)... But this apology/explanation will have to suffice.

I'm planning to graduate a semester early for my major - in exactly four years as opposed to four and a half. To do so, I need to be accepted into the School of Education by December 1. This, I just found out. Want to know what being accepted into the School of Ed, and then graduating in May '11 rather than December '11 entails?

1) Taking/PASSING the Praxis I exam.
2) Submitting my portfolio for review. (I began a portfolio my freshman year, but the account expired... so I've gotta figure THAT whole thing out again.)
3) Filling out an application to the School of Ed.
4) Registering for, taking, and PASSING 36 credits of classes for the next two semesters - if I don't get into these classes... well... we'll build that bridge when we get there.
5) Taking two courses at community college (a Communications elective, and an Arts/Science elective - 'twill be fun/easy at KVCC) this coming summer - ruining my plans of working at a camp for another summer.
6) Practicum (classroom observation) in May '10, and student teaching in Spring '11.
7) Having enough money to take all these tests and get all of my background checks and fingerprintings done, AND stay in school, in class, with 18 credits...

Getting a little picture of my life right now? All so I can graduate next spring. Wow. My time at PBU is nearing its end. Now I've got to process how I feel about that.

Well. THAT is why I haven't been so up-to-date with my blog.

But all this to say... God is good. He is Jehovah Jireh - the LORD Will Provide. He is Jehovah Shalom - the LORD Our Peace. Praise ye the LORD! :)

Philippians 4:4-7. Check it out. It's my heartbeat for this week.

Posted by Anna at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

While it's true that pictures speak louder than words, I think some words are a necessary supplement to these ones...

We are ready to goooo! (President Obama joined us, courtesy Invisible Children --check out Kayla's blog on Oct 7!) L-R: Me, Krista, Rachel and Brieanne

Oh wow - what a good driver!! :)

We were servers at the Camp Beechpoint 50th Anniversary Banquet! (For more info on this awesome ministry, check out http://beechpoint.com!)

Meet my little siblings! Austin and Adarae! (Picture taken at Camp Beechpoint, our place of residence.)

Rachel & Krista, enjoying beautiful friendship and beautiful Dumont Lake.

South Haven, the pier at sunset. Gorgeous Lake Michigan <3 <3 <3

After eating at Clementine's and windowshopping... South Haven traditions.

I hope these three Jersey girls finally appreciate the beauty of OUR shore.

Back at the homestead... CARAMEL APPLES!!!!! (They were so good, we made 'em again the next day!)

Goofing off whilst we wait for the caramel to harden. Note, Adarae's foot makes a cameo appearance.

Yummy. Gotta show that apple who's boss.

...and what would Fall Break be without a little R&R?

Last day in Michigan... yes, another photo shoot. (Picture taken by the horse barn at Camp Beechpoint.)

When you're the best of friends... having so much fun together... (sigh, Fox and the Hound.)

A few random/assorted memories that pictures cannot capture:

*YELLOW CAR!!!!!
*The fyat cyat eat all the cooukies!
*SCHWAAAT?
*Kittatinny, here we come! "...Did you just say..."
*You're A-D-D-I-C-T-E-D!!!
*CHOking ON your ALibis
*Obama's traveling with us! He won the Nobel Peace Prize!
*Sut up, Racel!
*Why DO she be so mad at me for?
*Ducky!
*You look like a jerk! Look at your red sweatpants, you look like such a jerk!'
*HA! I passed the song to you! Point for me!
*We've only been driving 40 minutes? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????

aaand last but certainly not least:

*MIIIICHIGGAAAAANNNN!!!

I love you, girls. Thanks for all the fun and memories. :)

Posted by Anna at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Believe it. Stories to follow.

Posted by Anna at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Few people, even those of the PBU persuasion, know truly the importance and significance and prestige and privilege of being a Philadelphia Biblical University TeleCounselor.

THESE are the people that call you, prompt you to visit, urge you to complete the oh-so-simple application (processing fee still waived until Dec 1!), and guide you through our sometimes labrynthine website. THESE are the pleasant people who answer the phone when you call with your questions, concerns, and interest.

"Thank you for calling Philadelphia Biblical University, this is So-And-So, how may I help you?" You have to have some respect for being able to say such a mouthful without stuttering. (Below--->This is NOT how we answer the phone. Ever.)

Did you know that I moonlight as a TeleCounseling supervisor, every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-9:30? It is one of the rare joys that I have as a PBU student and Nexus team member to work with my friends and recruit students to our school two nights a week. It really is a blessing, being able to overhear some of the conversations with prospective students. Oftentimes, I'm encouraged tp hear of a highschooler's heart for the Lord and sensitivity to His will in their life--whether that means attending PBU or not, that's something that I want to help foster and be a part of! Once, my friend Tristan was able to actually share the Gospel with a girl on the phone, who had never heard of the Bible before. Not only was he able to outline the basics of God's love for us and His purpose in sending Jesus to die, he also encouraged her to find a church to attend, and got her email so they could keep in contact and she could ask any questions she could think of. What a blessing to overhear something like that. Sometimes funny things happen during TeleCounseling calls. During a call once, I was asked, "How many types of ducks does the PBU pond have?" ...I had an interesting time trying to answer that question. I think I just responded, without much hesitation, "Seven." ...Because 'seven' is my answer for just about everything. Haha, except when it comes to serious questions about school, obviously. :)

So... call in sometime! Talk to me, or one of my friends! Ask us your questions about what it's like to attend this awesome school of ours!

See? This is how friendly we are!!

Posted by Anna at 9:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)