Little Lower than Angels

Little Lower Than Angels

By David Feist, Class of 2014

Kernersville, North Carolina

For Thou hast made man a little lower than the angels, and hast

crowned him with glory and honour. Psalm 8:5

            Have you ever felt really down on yourself? Felt depressed, tired, and worthless? Think that there is no purpose to life and that you are so insignificant that even God has abandoned you? I felt this way frequently when I was around the age of twelve years old. I felt that I was nothing more than another animal roaming this earth and that I would never contribute anything of worth to this planet, let alone in the eyes of a perfect deity, to whom "even your greatest works are as filthy rags." How could I embrace life feeling so insignificant and filthy? Many dark thoughts began to come to my mind, making me feel even less like a significant human, and more like just another beast that roams on all fours. I kept asking God for answers to questions that are impossible to explain.

            "If you love your children so much, why have we come this far?" I screamed into the air. "Why is it that there is so much pain under your ‘loving’ reign? Why do you allow people to suffer so much? Is there no justice under the sky?"

            This kind of attitude towards God stayed with me for the next few years.  But as I grew older I began to see and understand more.  I see now that not everything is that painful. Not everyone suffers. And though God may often seem silent, He works in very strange ways to find an outcome that suits His plan. The fact that you are on this beautiful earth means that you are a part of His plan -- that you are significant for something or someone. You might never be the new Einstein and you may never make your way into the history books. But, to someone close to you, your life can make all the difference in theirs.

            We are special in God's eyes.  We were created not only a little below angels, but in His own divine image! How then, can we feel as though we are not special and worth something to Him? God has taken so much care in creating us. 

            When I think of the troubles of this world, I think about what my dad used to always tell me, "Son, don't sweat the little stuff, and trust me, its ALL little stuff."

Barrels Are Evil

Barrels Are Evil

By Jared Cove, Class of 2014

Ottowa, Ontario (Canada)

They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord,

cut them off. Psalm 118:11

            Those who know me can be sure of one thing: I love video games.  There is one thing I can always count on in my favorite game: barrels.  In fact, no matter what game it is, there will almost always be barrels. They come in different shapes and sizes, some industrial, some old-fashioned. Often, they hide items which are pivotal to progressing the game. They do not attack, but even so their position is unquestionably hostile. The way I play, there is not one barrel undestroyed in an area I have cleared.

            Barrels are silent. It is as though they are just waiting to laugh at the character’s struggle. Sometimes, the especially diabolical barrels, hide traps such as bees or darts. The ambitious barrels will even explode and force a “game over.” The average barrel will only hide things from the character, such as coins or keys, or the occasional apple or carrot. Many times I have missed vital keys and other help because I did not destroy all the barrels.

            Barrels in video games are like our troubles. Often they surround us, holding the keys to unlocking life to the fullest, their color making them difficult to see. Just like barrels though, when they are overcome, they can yield tremendous results, their contents expediting your escape from hardships.  Never be afraid to take on the “barrels” or troubles in your life, remember God will always be with you. Even if they bring temporary pain, know that there is a greater reward at the end of the “game” which more than makes up for the hardships endured in the meantime.

Shelter In the Storm

Shelter In The Storm

By Jessica Purple, Class of 2014

Candler, North Carolina

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling;

He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle

and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

            When I was about six years old, I lived in Michigan.  During the summer my entire family went to camp meeting on Great Lakes Adventist Academy’s campus. Although my least favorite part was the meetings, playing outside with my friends was my favorite.  One day, I decided to skip the meetings altogether. I knew my mom would be upset, but I wasn't thinking about it. I just wanted to be outside having fun.

            My friend and I stayed out all day and we decided to go back to our rooms when we thought it was getting dark. We saw the sky slowly turn grey and purple and noticed there was no one to be found. We checked the time and it wasn't even close to sundown. We got scared and parted ways.

            I searched but I couldn't find anyone.  The place looked abandoned.  I didn't know what to do.  Then, seemingly out of nowhere, my mom swept me up and took me downstairs. There, I learned that we were having a tornado watch and everyone was taking cover.

            It turned out that the tornado went entirely around the camp ground and never hurt anything or anyone around campus. The feeling of God’s protection surrounded me.

            I am thankful for that experience because I learned that no matter what people are thinking at the moment, God is thinking of us every moment.

Strength to Overcome

Strength to Overcome

By Allie Bermudez, Class of 2014

Advance, North Carolina

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

           

            The sound of an alarm clock brought me from my sleep into a new day. Tired and worn from days past, I felt overwhelmed and doubtful. But I got up and read out of God’s Word. I still didn’t trust completely. Then I got on my knees and prayed, telling God that I needed Him. I asked Him to give me words to speak and to give me strength. An impression came to my mind to open my Bible to a place that I had marked with a sticky note. So I opened it to the page marked. As I was scanning through the page, I came upon Philippians 4:13. I sat in awe just reading those assuring words.

            Every day, trials come for me to endure. I can become so frustrated by something to the point where tears fall. The enemy throws every temptation he can to discourage any connection with God. There is a struggle every moment for my salvation. If I am not focused on God, on the path to Him, I can easily fall down the steep slopes of sin. But I can’t do anything without being connected to Him. (See John 15:4-5) That is why I take the  time to spend with my Savior every day. I know He has perfect plans for me. All I have to do is trust that He will carry me through anything and everything. I know He has already started a good work in me. (See Philippians 1:6) He has changed me to be His girl. He is molding and making something new of me, especially when I pray. He has and is giving me opportunities to show His amazing love. He is expanding my knowledge and understanding to share, for His kingdom to come.

            I am willing to put Him first day by day, because He put me first. I accept His promises to be true because I have seen them fulfilled in my life. I am confident to obey and honor the One who took my place. I realize that anything I accomplish is done through my Maker. He is the strength in whom I depend. Whatever challenge it may be, I will overcome all through Christ who overcame.

Path to Heaven

Path to Heaven

By Lisa Cho, Class of 2014

Seoul, South Korea

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to

prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

            As a child, I grew up believing in Buddhism because my whole family was Buddhist. I had to go to a Buddhist temple every weekend with my grandparents. Every time I asked my grandmother about God, she always told me that God is not true and the bible is just a perfect story that one smart guy made up. So every time I would see people who go to church, I thought they were crazy and just wasting their time.  Also, I wouldn’t hang around with people who read a bible or talked about God in front of me.

            When I was in middle school, my friends told me to go to church on Sunday with them, convincing me by telling me that there were a lot of cute guys in that church. Since I never saw any cute guys in the Buddhist temple, I went to Sunday church for the first time. I didn’t know anything about God and had no clue what a Christian church looked like. At first, it seemed weird and boring, but after several months of attending and getting to know more about God, I started to wonder if God really did exist. My cousin told me that I was crazy going to church every weekend, but I felt something was really leading me to go to church.

            After several years, I heard about Mount Pisgah Academy and made a hard decision to leave South Korea and move all the way to North Carolina to attend there. When I first came to Pisgah, I was shocked and surprised. I have never seen a school like this! Everyone was a true Christian believer and prayed to God everywhere they went. The one thing I was most shocked about was that there were a lot of differences between the Sunday churches and Seventh-day Adventist church. I have been studying at Pisgah about two years and I have learned a lot about God. I have also learned about kindness, friendship, and peacefulness. Mount Pisgah has done a lot for me and has given me a new life. Whenever I think back about how I became a Christian after being a non-Christian, I feel God helped me find the right path to heaven.

Through it All

Through it All

By Kali Huskey, Class of 2014

Belton, South Carolina

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful.  He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted He will also provide a way out

so you can endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13

           

            I was just like any normal ten year old.  I loved to play outside with the neighborhood kids and I loved jumping on the trampoline.  I loved being a kid. But I was going through something a ten year old should never have to go through; knowing I was going to lose my mom to cancer.

            I was extremely close to my mom. When I found out that she had cancer it hit me pretty hard because I knew that she was probably not going to make it. I never thought I would ever lose someone so close to me. She passed away May 23, 2007. That was a rough part of my life. But I was thankful because I still had my dad in my life.  I had been closer to my mom than my dad but after she passed away, he stepped in and played “Mr.Mom.”

            Unfortunately, he started having horrible headaches. Because the headaches persisted, he went to see a doctor. The doctor informed him that he had several brain tumors. He went to the hospital, and started radiation. The doctors didn’t expect him to leave the hospital. He didn’t let the cancer get the best of him, though; he fought that battle every day. He had his good days and his bad days, but he put a smile on for me.  He hated me seeing him hurt.

            He went into remission for a little while, but then the cancer came back, only this time worse. It had spread even more. I lost my dad on May 2, 2010.

            I realized that this wasn’t something I could just undo, but that this was something I had to work through. I’m so thankful that I have a sister and a brother-in-law that adopted me. They have taken me in as one of their own and have raised me to be the young woman I am today. And through all of this, I knew that God was on my side. He took care of me and helped me through every struggle. In every tragedy I’ve faced, I was not alone, knowing that God has helped me through it all.

His Yoke is Easy and His Burden is Light

His Yoke is Easy and

His Burden is Light

By Andrea Sequera, Class of 2014

Columbia, South Carolina

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.       Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For

My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

            When the first semester of my junior year came around, I was not prepared for how hard it was going to be. My sophomore year had been great, and even though I knew that junior year was going to be tough, I was not ready. Between my classes, extracurricular activities, and being an RA (resident assistant to the dean), stress started to pile on. I would put myself down when I did not reach my own expectations. To top it off, my spiritual life was not doing so great.  A friend then introduced me to a devotional called Jesus Calling. It was amazing! This devotional is really cool because it is written in first person, as if Jesus were talking to me.  Bible verses are included at the end of each devotional. This book helped me to see Jesus in a more intimate way. From then on I started to learn to give my troubles more fully to Jesus and to depend on the promises of His word. I felt peace in my heart knowing that I was not alone. Jesus knew the stress that I felt and He wanted to take my burden and give me His, because His burden is light.

            Jesus desperately wants to tell us how much He cares about the burdens in our lives through His promises. His promises give hope, relief, encouragement, and love. He knows what weighs us down better than anyone else. He is more than willing to help us. In fact, that is exactly why we have stressful times. He knew that one day, we would read those promises and take comfort in them. So, do not hesitate any longer; claim His promises!