Yeah...he said it

Most people know that I love quotes. I don't mean numerical quotes for jobs to be performed or insurance quotes, I mean quotes in words that people have made about certain topics. I have quote books, read quote websites, and buy magnets with quotes.

A good friend shared the following quote with me this week. He thought that not only would I enjoy it, it would give me something to write about and express my feelings.

According to a profile in Christianity Today entitled "The Positive
Prophet," Campolo would often begin a speech this way: "I have three
things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last
night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to
malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is
that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact
that 30,000 kids died last night."

I seriously appreciated this quote because it gave me a lot to think about. When I talk to non-Christians, they normally tell me about how Christians are so hypocritical, saying one thing and doing another. While this quote may only touch on that, to me it says something else. Campolo makes a statement about the death of children. He follows up the statement with a sentence using a word that is considered bad, something we don't use in our everyday language. My favorite sentence is the last. Campolo says that what's worse is that we as Christians are more concerned about the fact that he said, "Shit" instead of the children that died. Now that is the problem with that picture.

Another instance this week made me think about the way that supposed "Christians" get caught up on themselves and forget about others. One of my students shared this story with me. She told me that when she first moved to this university she was placed in a dorm room with a very sweet girl. It just so happened that the girl was Muslim. She prays five times a day to Allah, fasts during Ramadan, reads the Quran, and so on. When my student went home to her host family, she began telling her host mother about her new roommate. She shared just how sweet the girl was, how they look out for each other, and then she added that the girl was Muslim. Do you know how this supposed "Christian" host mother responded? She looked at my student and said..."Well that's great that you get along so well. But your roommate and her family are going to Hell." My student left that conversation saddened because here she was half way across the world from her home, she has finally found a friend and her host family tells her they are going to hell. What a way for a Christian to act.

This story brings up way too many deep issues for me to get into today, things like Muslims going to heaven and are they praying to the same God I do? I have my own set of opinions and would be glad to share if you ask.

There is a group of students on this campus, that shall remain nameless, and I feel that they believe they are the ultimate in the faith. They walk around this campus going after students that are not Christian. They even go after students that are Christian, they just feel they don't act like it. Since I work with international students, many of my students are not Christian. I do not judge them, I do not force them to convert, I allow them to live out their beliefs in their own way, all the while I behave as a Christian. Since the students have been back on campus, about 6 weeks, numerous students have come to me crying. When I ask them what is wrong, they explain to me that students from this "group" have confronted them. In their confrontations, they tell them that unless they believe the way they do, they are going to hell. Now... what a way to reach someone for Christ. There was no love in their statements, no saving grace, just an explanation that unless they change their ways, Hell is their destination. I truly believe these people are out to get numbers....to convert students and then let them be. I've asked several from this group...are you scaring people to death and making converts, or are you making true disciples of Jesus Christ?


So as I think about Campolo's quote...I wonder. As Christians, are we more concerned about the word "shit" (or various others) or do we truly care about humanity?

these words....

These words have been speaking to me since yesterday when my friends Viveca and Kerrie sang this song in chapel....

More to come on my thoughts later...

-S


MARY MARY LYRICS

"Can't Give Up Now"

There will be mountains that I will have to climb
And there will be battles that I will have to fight
But victory or defeat, it's up to me to decide
But how can I expect to win If I never try.

I just can't give up now
I've come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me the road would be easy
and I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me

Never said there wouldn't be trials
Never said I would't fall
Never said that everything would go the way I want it to go
But when my back is against the wall
And i feel all hope is gone,
I'll just lift my head up to the sky
And say help me to be strong

I just can't give up now
I've come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me the road would be easy
and I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me

[Hook:]
No you didn't bring me out here to leave me lonely
Even when I can't see clearly
I know that you are with me(so I can't)

I just can't give up now
I've come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me the road would be easy
and I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me

In His Image, not mine

I have started writing this entry about four times now...each time I have erased it all. Maybe what I write this time will be more profound than the last and stick to the page like glue. We will see...

I'm different. Now that is a bold statement. I know that I look like no one else, talk like no one else, and think like no one else. Growing up, they always told us that God created no one else like me, that we are unique beings and were made in the image of God.

Hearing that as a child is comforting. I mean.. I had braces, thick glasses, not the coolest of clothes, and therefore I was different. Well, I grew out of the phase.. got contact, the teeth were straight, got a job to buy my own clothes.. you know the routine.

Well, I think we are called to be different in Christ. Tonight, I was having a conversation with two people and the topic of homosexuality in churches came up. I admitted that am not against it. Oh no.. did she just say that gays in the church are ok? Well.. yes.

When I make that statement, I feel almost as if a spotlight were shining in on me...pointing me out as a heretic. For goodness sakes.. some would say I am going to Hell because I accept gay people.

Well, I don't take this lightly. I thought that we were all made "different" by God in his image. I am pretty sure that there is not a scripture about who I should accept and who I shouldn't. The great commission doesn't tell me to go into all the world and tell everyone accept gays.. or for that matter.. alcoholics, cheaters, homeless....well you get my point.


I guess I just wanted to share that I feel God loves all people. Surprise, Surprise. I really feel the church (as we, not God, have created it) is doing the world an injustice. God wants to be in a relationship with all people.. not just the elite.. so really.. why don't people just accept that they aren't the only ones God loves.. and move on.

"Yes, we're international"

Back in July, I began this position with Campbell University. I knew that I would be running the new department of International Student Services. The first few weeks were spent behind my desk, and I was getting a little nervous about the job. I was wondering if I had made the right decision to change jobs. But then the day came...I started the airport shuttles. In a little less than two weeks, I drove a total of 18 shuttles to and from RDU. Now, that is a task considering the campus is one hour away from the airport. As I greeted each student, some new, some returning...they smiled back at me and showed their appreciation. Once I got them all on campus, the questions started again. I thought, "so now what?"

We had a welcome pizza party with over 100 students in attendance and it was wonderful. The following Wednesday, we made our first internationals trip to Wal-Mart. When we returned to campus (after 3 hours of shopping) I stopped at each dorm to drop students off with their purchases. When each person departed the vehicle several of the girls would say "bye" in their accents and giggle. After each time, one of the male students would look at me and say, "Yes we're international."

During the next Wal-Mart trip I had about 25 students show up to attend. As I was taking the first group, I listened to the students talk. One said to me, "Sara, why are this many people going to Wal-Mart? Last year we never had this many." I responded with a simple "I don't know the reason why." A few seconds later, one of the girls spoke up and said..."Sara, don't you get it? We all just want to spend our time with you." That made my heart melt. I have heard over and over again how much they like spending their time with me...a traditional, non-international person.

Today, I traveled with a group of ten Asians to a movie and the Asian Market. They introduced me to all kinds of foods, new words, decorations, and traditions. As I was watching them walk along the aisles and interact with the employees and other patrons it hit me. In this place, I'm the international. Here they fit in. As I embraced the fact that I was international, I took note of the things that I did that made me stand out; one being speaking English.

So... in this world that God has created, we are all different, yet created by One God. So I think,"Yes, we're international," and I get a big smile on my face and in my heart!

Journey vs. Destination

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment that you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a Journey, not a destination." -Souza

I have a magnet with this quote hanging in my room. It wasn't until today that I truly realized how true this was. I purchased this magnet weeks ago, I bought it because I really liked the quote and thought it would be a good idea to read it every once in a while. It is hanging on my desk, so I see it whenever I sit down to type. As I was cleaning today, I passed by and read it. I was hit with the reality of it.

How in the world did I end up in Buies Creek, North Carolina pursuing a Master's of Divinity? Who really knows...but God?

When I was in my latter years of high school I had a job at a local home furnishings store. Pretty soon I had worked my way up to Assistant Manager and was even offered the chance to have my own store as manager. With this job I traveled all over the U.S. remodeling stores and training new employees. Just when I thought that was my destination in life, God changed the way.

I was in college pursing a degree and was presented the opportunity to start working with Autistic children. After the first day, I wasn't really sure if I would ever make it. Turns out, I did this for three years. I fell in love with the job and with the children. My life revolved around them. I was able to see so much progress in them, when a non-verbal child was finally able to speak a word or two, I would get tears in my eyes. Once again, I was happy and thought this was my destination in life.

However, God had a different plan. After graduating from college, I moved to this small town in North Carolina to begin pursuing a Masters degree. I made new friends, kept a few old ones and really just tried to focus on God's plan for my life. I was truly tired of school so I really was relying on God to get me through. During my second year here, I thought I would go my own way and decided to take the easy route and get the shorter masters degree. I talked with the Associate Dean of the school and had everything set to graduate in May. God had a different plan. He was speaking to me in a still, small voice, but I really wasn't listening (hard to admit that.) I had been working in a local church for over a year as the children's minister. I loved the children, not the church politics. I wasn't looking for another job, but God had a plan. During the spring, Campbell created a graduate assistant position for International Student Services.

The campus minister, one of my good friends, heard about the position and immediately thought of me. I applied, interviewed, and was hired. Just like that. In turn, I had to leave the position at the church. I was a little nervous about all of this, but gave it to God. Once the new position started, I fell in love with it. I love my students, I love learning about their cultures, and I certainly love hanging out with them. After a few weeks in this position, a friend said to me, "Sara, are you sure that God isn't telling you to stay in school and get your M.Div?" I looked at her and said.. "well, I don't think he is." The next day, she asked the same question. She asked repeatedly about it telling me that God was speaking to her and telling me the message. After hearing this for a while, I was giving it some serious thought. I began praying about it and gave the situation to God. One of my students asked me when it was I would graduate. I told her that it could be 2008 or it could be 2009. She asked for more of an explanation. Once I explained, she told me, "I know that you will do the right thing, you will listen to God. " That night, during my prayer, I told God I would stay in school for the M.Div. As I have embraced this decision, and my position at the university, I am so excited about the future. I am looking forward to what God has in store.

My true happiness is coming from the Journey that God is allowing me to have. If I looked at each stop as a destination, I would have stopped long before now, and I am pretty sure I would not be happy with life. Just when I thought that I was about to graduate and do what I wanted to do... God had a different plan for what HE wanted me to do and now my real life has begun.

Are you seeking to walk the journey of happiness or are you stuck at a destination?

Family

When one thinks of family, they remember the group of people that they are born into. We don't have a choice who our family is or how they will accept us and treat us. Growing up in a family in a small town brought lots of challenges. From the outside looking in, we were the perfect family. Two parents, two children. However, from the inside looking out, I knew that we were always far from perfect. I was never happy living at home, but once I moved out I realized just how good I had it there.

Now that I am in charge of International Student Services for Campbell University, I have learned a new take on family. Each of the international students arrive here on their own. Usually they don't know anyone, so quite often I am the first face of Campbell that they see. Since they are here on their own, like most college students are, this is a place where they need to create their own family. When I entered Divinity school several years ago, I began to create my own family. This is a group of my friends that I know I can count on for anything. However, I don't often think of what I might mean to someone else in terms of family.

I was reminded of this last week. There is a student from Moldova that I have been getting to know. She is very dear and close to my heart. I have been watching God work in her life over the past few weeks, and I am thrilled to see the way He answers prayers. Last week, International Student Services coordinated a host family meal. On this night, the student from Moldova came with me. She has adopted me as her family. After the meal, each student and family stood up. The family was to introduce the student, and the student the family.

My student and I stood up, and we were the last to go. I introduced her and told everyone where she was from, a little about Moldova, what she is studying, and that she means a lot to me. After that, my student began to speak. She introduced me and told everyone that I was in charge of International student services and also a student in the Divinity School. She went on to say some things that will stick with me for a while. She told about how I am always there for her, taking care of her needs, and helping her to see God at work. She told the group that she loved me, and that I meant more to her than any family or friend ever could. I began to get tears in my eyes. I cried because she is not a person that expresses her feelings, so to hear her saying these things about me just touched my heart.

I am honored to be her family, honored to be her friend. She puts a smile on my face and reminds me how lucky I am to be living. Even though we weren't born into the same family, we are family, helping each other along this journey called life.

Going Home

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to go home. Home for me is a place that brings back many memories; some good, some bad. I hadn't been home in a couple months so I was truly looking forward to seeing all of the changes. My parent's house has been under reconstruction, so seeing all of the new things was exciting. I have missed seeing my little sister, who is now grown up and enjoying life. I was looking forward to visiting with my parent's as well, because over the past year our relationship has been strained, but we seem to be putting things back together.

I was really traveling home to preach at the church I grew up in. The church was celebrating homecoming and their 160th anniversary. The pastor contacted me several months back and asked if I would be willing to preach at the 11am worship service. I told him that I would like to have a chance to pray about it, considering that I would be the first woman to preach from that pulpit and really have it called preaching. As I prayed about it I began to feel God place a message upon my heart. I called the pastor and let him know that I would be glad to preach for homecoming. He was very excited.

As I prepared for the day, I became more and more nervous. This was not my first time preaching, but I would be preaching in front of many people who know me very well. I think that preaching at "home" is the hardest kind of preaching. Sunday came and I arrived at the church at about 10:20. There were many people who haven't seen me in a long time that came up to speak. I had a chance to speak to the pastor and it was great. As I sat in my pew waiting for the time to preach, my legs began to shake. Finally, it was my turn. I led the church in prayer and then shared what was on my heart. As I was preaching, I began to hear the Amens and the bless yous coming from a group of visiting African American ladies. As they affirmed me, my nervous feelings subsided and God spoke through me. When I was finished, I left the pulpit feeling pleased and thankful that all had gone well.

Having that opportunity to make history was awesome. I am thankful for those ladies (my angels) offering the Amen's that so easily calmed my nerves. It made me think of my second home, Campbell Divinity School and the multiple affirmations shared there in chapel.

Thanks be to God that all went well.