School of Ministry Comes To An End

Wow. I can’t believe it. School of Ministry is over tomorrow. In some ways it feels like just a few short months have gone by and yet, in other ways, like it’s been years. I can’t even begin to express what this year in school has meant to me. It has been the most fulfilling year of my life, hands down. It’s something I wish everybody could experience at least once in their lives.

If I could sum up the two greatest lessons I’ve learned this year, it would be these:

First and foremost, the Bible IS the word of God. After having studied the Bible through in its entirety this year, I am astounded at the way our God is revealed in its pages. It is so much more than some ancient history or a collection of prophet’s writings. It is God’s word to us… it is how we get to know Him… how He speaks to us so often… and the explanation behind all of the “why’s” that trouble us in this life. I have already immersed myself in studying it through a second time on my own and it is speaking even more loudly to me now. I am convinced that anyone who claims the Bible is not God’s word preserved intact for us today has never studied it in it’s entirety with an open mind and a heart to know God.

And secondly, God is almost never what we expect Him to be. As soon as we think we have Him figured out, He either reveals something new about Himself to us or takes us through a situation in our lives that causes us to search Him out even more deeply. He reminds me time and time again that this world is not my home and that my focus and my desires should not be here. Like purging dross from silver, he has allowed us (and continues to allow us) to be in the refiner’s fire — not to destroy us, but to make us better. It is hot. It is miserable. And many times we think we won’t survive. But He pulls us through it.

These next few weeks are shaping up to be some of the “hottest” weeks we’ve experienced in this refiner’s fire. The transition back into the role of provider for my family is looking pretty bleak, but I know He is in control. Many of the Israelites on the shore of the Red Sea lost their faith as they watched Pharoah’s armies coming at them. I pray that I’m not like one of those Israelites. I feel very much like God has worked a miracle in our lives to see us through this time of schooling but now, in the form of a tough job market and seemingly overwhelming financial obligations, I see Pharaoh’s army closing in.

If you are so inclined, please be in prayer for us in the following ways during this time of transition…

• That God will keep intact within me the desire to continue my study of the Bible
• That God will continue to keep me prayerful and seeking Him daily
• That God will have His hand in providing an internship opportunity for me that will equip me for the work He has for me to do
• That God will provide a source of income in order for us to again be able to meet our financial obligations
• That God will provide a solution for immediately pressing financial difficulties
• That God will arrange my life to allow for continued service in His kingdom

I thank those of you who have offered us your support over these past nine months… spiritually, emotionally, prayerfully, and even financially. Many of you remained anonymous, so I will never be able to thank you personally. That would bother me if I didn’t have confidence in the reward awaiting all of us in heaven. Truly you have ‘done it unto the least of these my brethren’.

Tomorrow will be an exciting, and yet very sad, day for me. I’m not sure how I’ll feel by this time tomorrow, but I’ll try to find time to post and share it with you.