Journey with God

Journey with God  

By Drew Couser, Class of 2013

Candler, North Carolina

Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.  1 Thessalonians 5:24

            Have you ever questioned God’s existance?  I have.

            Throughout my childhood I questioned the existance of God. I grew up in a Seventh-day Adventist home. My dad worked for the Kentucky Conference as a pastor, so as you can tell, I had a Christian upbringing. Going to church every weekend became just a routine thing to me; it had no real meaning. I never really tried to pay attention to my dad’s sermons or focus on getting something from the service. My mind was always focused on different things.

            As the years passed I made the decision to stop going to church. Every aspect of church seemed pointless in my eyes. It was just a place to go and see friends. I started getting into trouble, developing bad habits, making bad decisions, and slacking in my school work. I was so wrapped up in all these distractions that I totally lost focus on God in my life and my purpose in God’s kingdom.

            However, I reached my breaking point! Everything finally hit me. It was mid summer going into my junior year at Mount Pisgah Academy. I became so sick of the way I was living my life: a life without purpose, without meaning, and a life without a future. So, I decided one weekend to attend a church in Asheville. I remember feeling nervous about plunging back into a church environment again. But something felt different that week.  After the service I remember feeling so spiritually “full.” I kept coming back and something in my mindset about church and God started to change in my head. Suddenly there seemed a need to read my Bible and pray. As I began to draw closer and closer to God I noticed that the desire to do the things of this world faded away.

            As I continue my walk with God, I am seeking to know Him more, and understand Him more. Applying God in my life was the best decision I have ever made. I struggle every day, but God is keeping me on the right path and pushing me to do more and be more for His name’s sake.

            So I urge you to keep pushing to seek God. He is always right there, just waiting on your invitation to be in your life completely. Seek Him!

The Little Things Matter

The Little Things Matter

By Marijean Reis, Class of 2013

Bishopville, South Carolina

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. Proverbs 10:12

            When I was in middle school, there was this one boy who rode the bus with me. He would always run home as soon as the bus dropped him off. Not knowing what he was running to or from, the other kids on the bus and I would laugh and make fun of him every day. One day, he missed school.  A week afterwards, he stopped running home after the bus dropped him off.  We were curious about his behavior.

            What the other kids and I did not know was that he ran home because he wanted to make sure his sister had not killed herself while he was gone at school each day.

            As you can imagine, this story did not end well.

            I learned that year not only to not judge anyone before knowing their story, but to not conform to what other people are doing.

            Be the “odd” one. Do not let people be a bad influence. Do well, because God puts people in our lives to test us, to see how we will treat them. It may not always be as serious as this, but even the little things matter.

Music to My Ears

Music to My Ears

By Megan Robertson, Class of 2015

Candler, North Carolina

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation.  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. Psalm 95:1, 2

        I'm the type of person that can hear a song and start crying or get goosebumps just over the words. Music has always been a big deal to me, and I've loved it ever since I was little. I love listening to music, and I especially love singing! One of the definitions of music is: "The art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion."  Music brings out so many emotions in people. It can make a person sad, happy, mad, excited, inspired, and so much more! But for me, it is my way to connect to God and focus on Him. It is my favorite tool to use for worshipping and praising God.

        Just recently I got the opportunity to go to Prayer Conference at Camp Kulaqua. I had such a great time there and made so many memories and friends! The whole atmosphere and experience was amazing, but what really spoke to me was the music. Every day we had the privilege to enjoy and sing along with Southern Adventist University's praise team. They were amazing and picked the best variety of songs! Although I loved our speaker, Jackie James, I personally wished we could have just sung the whole time. I can't tell you how many times I got goosebumps when I heard that huge chapel ringing with music and praises to God! All the many harmonies and the fullness of all the voices joining together to worship spoke to me in ways I can't even explain!

            I believe that God has gifted me with the ability to sing, and after this experience, I am going to use my voice to glorify Him and Him only! Being in that environment helped me remember that God created us to worship and praise Him, and one of the ways we can do that is through song. If you are the type of person that loves music and is impacted by it, then I want to challenge you to try something new. Next time you have a devotion, start it out by listening to one of your favorite Christian songs, and just think about what it means to you and how it could apply to your life. Another thing you could try, would be to just spend some alone time with God listening and singing along to music. You never know what blessing you could get out of it.

                    "Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from Heaven to the soul."

Opening Doors

Opening Doors

By Manuel Onate, Class of 2014

Waynesboro, Virginia

“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

            WHY?! Why did I do such a stupid thing? I was sitting there in the office thinking of everything that was going on. What would I do if I got expelled?  What about my friends?  What would they think?  Where would I go to school?   What about my family?

            As I waited for administration to make their decision on my fate, I said potential good-byes to my friends.  But I hoped that my good-bye would not be permanent.  I prayed that things would work out for me to stay at that school.  However, when I spoke to the dean, I was dissappointed to hear that I would need to leave immediately and would not be allowed to return.  Now what?

            I decided that I wanted to attend Mount Pisgah Academy.  But my mom wanted me to stay home.  We argued about it for a couple of weeks, then she said that if the school would take me, I could go, but that she wouldn’t pay for it.  At least I had hope.

            I earnestly prayed and told God, “Lord, if you want me to go to MPA, please give me a sign and find a way to pay the school.”  When I was at the other school, my grandmother was paying the monthly payments, so after talking with her, she agreed to keep on helping me.  I still had to come up with the entrance fee.  I spoke with my aunt about it, but I didn’t think she would help.  But two days later, she told me that she would give me $200 and that she had contacted my other grandparents and that they had agreed to pay $1000. When she told me that, I was thanking the Lord in so many ways! I was so full of joy. God gave me more than what I asked for. God showed huge confidence in me, and I will not let Him down.

            Now I’m at Mount Pisgah Academy, and I love it here. Without God’s help this wouldn’t be possible.  But He opened doors for me and is drawing me ever closer to Him.

            Trust that His plans are for the best for you too, and have faith in His plan for your life.

At the Lowest

At the Lowest

By Christopher Bankes, Class of 2013

Asheville, North Carolina

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10.

            This past year has been rough. Rough like sandpaper. Somehow I have made it through a lot of testing endeavors, and I think there is a reason for it. I have deviated from what God may have wanted for me in a lot of ways, but it has taught me a lot. He finally gave me a real eye opener at the end of the summer when I woke up in the hospital one morning.

            I had overdosed the night before. I was so unhappy with myself and at such a seemingly low point in life, that I didn't even want to continue. I felt like I was at the point where there wasn't any going back to even try and return to normal life. I thought there was no where to turn. Thankfully, God proved me wrong. He kept me alive after that night, and He has helped me so much the past few months. He has showed me reasons to continue life, and shown me that I really do have potential.

            Last summer I was at the lowest point that I've ever felt. I thought I was alone in the world, but God has been there by my side through everything that has happened. Even after all of the mistakes I've made, and poor decisions and actions I've chosen, God still accepts me. He loves me, and His love is always growing stronger for me.

            Whenever hard times approach, just always rely on God and know that things will always get better. God has great plans for each and every one of us, and He will always be the one sticking by your side through difficult times. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

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.