Tyler’s Blog

So my greatest difficulty at PBU is focus, not that I don't do work but I don't do the work I am supposed to do. I LOVE to read, everything I can get my hands on. Some things more than others. When I go to Boarders or Barnes and Nobles (both close to PBU) I am like a little kid in a candy shop. So here is where the problem began...
Sunday night I went on a bear hunt (not literal) in search of a C.S. Lewis book that I needed to have read by Tuesday (I forgot to write it in my planner, my fault). Upon arrival at Borders I found the C.S. Lewis book when all of a sudden... out of the corner of my eye... MORE BOOKS! haha. To say the least, there were more books at a book store. But a certain topic or genre in particular. Military History.

So here I sit. C.S Lewis staring at my from the corner of my desk with 'Sniper One' a British Soldiers account of the war in Iraq to my right. Both I have read around a quarter of in one night and both I very much want to read but... the military one is just a tad bit more interesting. OH THE PAIN OF BEING A SEARCHER FOR WISDOM. Well, I am off, with my friend C.S. to find a secluded spot away from books on British Soldiers in Iraq or my other Theology books (from other classes) that frequently loiter around my desk looking to be picked up and read. Oh the torture of the student who loves to read!

- Tyler

Posted by Tyler at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So at 5:30 AM, Carly, Stephen and I left PBU and headed to Ralph Stover park. Let me tell you how awesome of an experience this was. First of all, the sun rose over the mountains, second of all, AWESOME friends, and third of all we got to climb before heading to class. I wouldn't say that I am a gifted man at climbing but it was still tons of fun and I cant wait to go back and do it again.

Posted by Tyler at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow, God has been really great to me recently. I wake up every day at 5:30 to either run or do sprints and some other PT as I prepare to serve God in the military after graduating this upcoming Spring. There are some (most) mornings where I don't want to get out of my warm cozy bed for the cold floor (my roommate and I keep our A/C cranked even though it drops below 50 at night now) and cold room.

As I groggily wipe the sleep from my eyes and start my way outside that first gust of cool breeze passes by. You know, that short cool breeze that just opens your eyes enough to see where you are going and lets you know that it wont be a horrible run. Then as I run up to the soccer and field hockey fields I usually see a variety of things, a herd (pack? gaggle?) of deer romping around the practice soccer field, as I did this morning. Sometimes a variety of early morning birds are singing or laughing that I am awake, I prefer to think singing.

The best part though is when it starts to get a little later, when the sun starts to peak over the hills in the South East of PBU. There is a brilliant show of reds, oranges, yellows and all the while still to my North West I still see the stars and the dark of night creeping away. Earlier this week I had the honor to be running by the light of a cloudless night and a full moon and as time ticked by the sun started to peak up. The way I do my laps though I get to see the sun rising behind this GIANT American flag which if I ever feel like cutting my run short reminds me that I am serving my Country and the sunrise always reminds me that I am there to serve my God too.

Well, I just wanted to jot that down before my shower, yes I just got back from my run and I haven't showered yet... I know, gross. So, I am off, I hope God is blessing all of you during this fall and I hope you get a chance to stop and have a 'God moment.'

- Tyler

Posted by Tyler at 6:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Alright, so I admit it. At PBU you get to meet people from all different denominational backgrounds, from Evangelical to Lutheran to Catholic and Orthodox. There is an amazing mix of backgrounds here at PBU and it allows you to understand views of things from different understandings and doctrines.

I personally, come from a more liturgical background, I am a fan of hymns, incense and Church history. In World Civilizations (a class I am taking) we are going over the Egyptian Culture and soon we will be talking about the Greek culture with Alexander the Great followed by his death and the splitting up of his empire. The books 1 Maccabees takes place just after the death of Alexander, and the Egyptian Campaign of Antiochus (one of the generals). The Jews were put under this law in order to to make the people 'one nation' with 'one religion'.

Let me speed this up, there is a rebellion led by Mattathias and his sons against the forced pagan ideals, not just about the forced belief and worship but against those who turned away from the One True God towards these false gods.

You might ask how bad the persecution was... well imagine this happening in America.

"Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt. Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the law, was condemned to death by royal decree." 1 Maccabees 1:56,57

So there was a group of believers who stayed strong in their beliefs.

"But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Terrible affliction was upon Israel." 1 Maccabees 1:62,63

WOW! I just looked up and saw that I wrote a bundle and I am sure most of you are not that interested in this historical book as much as I am. It is very interesting and I highly recommend you reading it some time if you get the chance. Make sure to take it from a historical view point and not something to indoctrinate yourself.

I want to leave you with some of the last words of Mattathias as he laid on his death bed.

"Do not fear the words of a sinful man, for his glory ends in corruption and worms. Today he is exalted, and tomorrow he is not to be found, because he has returned to his dust, and his schemes have perished. Children! be courageous and strong in keeping the low, for by it you shall be glorified." 1 Maccabees 2:63-64

I hope everyone is having a great school year and I see you here in the Spring!
-Tyler

Posted by Tyler at 9:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This quote is one from a professor here, Prof. Fields

"God's Word is to judge man, not the other way around. ... We are not to put God on trial."

This really gave me something to think about and I hope it gets you thinking over the next few days As you read Scripture go into it with this question on your mind.

Posted by Tyler at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow, the year didn't just start IT JUMP STARTED! 18 credits of joy joy joy, and that isn't even sarcasm I actually am stoked about my classes so far this semester. The time is flying by quick enough due to work, and classes and homework that I almost forgot to write about what has been doing on in my blog.

Well the biggest thing is that we started a climbing club. There is a bouldering wall in the gym and a bunch of us have been getting together to climb around on the wall on a nightly basis. Since I have minimal experience climbing I have been struggling but it is probably some of the most fun I have had in long time.

I am also working on teaching myself German, it is great having missionary kids for friends who know German really well. They have been a HUGE help.

Wie ghets?
Sehr Gut

I just love how German sounds. I am sorry to anyone out there if there are misspellings.

Also, something that I am pretty stoked about is Ministry week next week. That is where a lot of different ministries come to PBU and help new students or returning students to find a ministry to serve God in. It is also a great opportunity to see what God is doing across the local area. Rock on.

Well back to studying German and Scripture. God Bless all of you.

Tyler

Posted by Tyler at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)