"I am the Good Shepherd"

Katie is a freshman secondary education student majoring in math. She adores historical fiction and baking treats for friends.

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the   Father  knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." -John 10:14-15

            A shepherd leads his sheep over rocky roads, through mountain passes, and along treacherous ravines to pasture. He knows his sheep and will never take them down a road more difficult than they can manage, but the sheep don't know that. Sheep are notoriously stupid animals; they cannot see the peaceful valleys ahead, they only know the difficulty of their current road. The bible tells us that we are like sheep and Jesus is our shepherd. Like the sheep, we fail to see beyond our current hardship to the plan God has in mind for us. We feel abandoned and forsaken when our road turns difficult, but, like the good shepherd, Jesus knows how much we can withstand, and he will never lead us down a road we cannot survive. Just as a sheep cannot find their way out of the mountain pass without its shepherd, we must look to our good shepherd for guidance when we feel lost.

Prayer: Dear Lord,

            You are my good shepherd. You know my strengths, my weaknesses, my hopes, and my fears. I know you will never lead me down a road I cannot handle, but at times I forget that you promised to protect me and to lay down your life for sheep like me. Help me to remember this when my path threatens to overwhelm me; help me to trust in you to lead me where I need to go.

Amen

Sorrows of Life

Kenny is a junior, majoring in Sociology with a minor in Gerontology. In his free time, he enjoys walks amongst nature, volunteering with hospice and spending time with his friends, especially his brothers in Phi Mu Alpha.

So often in our busy, modern world we are discouraged from the human and necessary expression of mourning. We see sorrow and grief as ailments that need to be healed, not as a vital part of the life experience. In Matthew 5:4 we are told “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” We need to remind ourselves that those who mourn truly are blessed. In our less-than-simple lives as Alma College students, there are many times that it becomes important to take the time to mourn, whether that be the death of a family member, friend, or pet, an end to a relationship, or rejection from a job or graduate program. These powerful experiences offer a time to look at our lives from a different point of view, growing from those close to us as well as our experiences. Think back to a time that you consider a low point in your life. What comforts did God subtly offer to guide your journey through the mourning process? The comforting presence of family, friends and pets? The comfort and spiritual guidance of music, scripture, books or nature? The simple ability to cry, whether alone or with a friend? When I was younger, I realized that Easter is my favorite holiday of the Christian and secular year. As I grow, I have found that it is the hope that God provides in the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ that provides the nurturing comfort I associate with Easter. This Lenten season, I encourage you to take time to mourn the sorrows in your life. Seek out those blessed comforts in our lives and always remember the hope that we are given in the resurrected Christ.

Mercy and Forgiveness

Lydia is a sophomore majoring in biotechnology. She loves being with her family and friends, cross country skiing, and cuddling with her cats when she's home."

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Matthew 5:7

            God repeatedly shows us mercy. It was out of mercy that he sent his only Son to save us and each time we sin, he shows his mercy through forgiveness. It is easy to become angered by the actions of others, but we must remember to also show them mercy and forgiveness, just as God does for us. If He can forgive us for our sins, then surely we can forgive others for their wrongs. By imitating Him and showing mercy to others, we glorify Him. If we forgive others for their mistakes, God will show us mercy in return for our sins.

Lyrics to “Forgiven” by Skillet

Forgive me now 'cause I have been unfaithful

Don't ask me why 'cause I don't know

So many times I've tried but was unable

This heart belongs to You alone

Now I'm in our secret place

Alone in Your embrace

Where all my wrongs have been erased

You have forgiven

All the promises and lies

All the times I compromise

All the times You were denied

You have forgiven

Forgive me I'm ashamed, I've loved another

I can't explain 'cause I don't know

No one can take Your place and there is no other

Forever Yours and Yours alone

Now I'm in our secret place

Alone in Your embrace

Where all my wrongs have been erased

You have forgiven

All the promises and lies

All the times I compromise

All the times You were denied

You have forgiven

I get down on my knees

Feel Your love wash over me

There will never be another

You're the only one forever

And You know, I'm Yours alone

I'm in our secret place

Alone in Your embrace

Where all my wrongs have been erased

You have forgiven

All the promises and lies

All the times I compromise

All the times You were denied

You have forgiven

More on Being Patient

Rachel is an English major who is always singing. She likes to be active and talk to people (:

“Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.” –Proverbs 25.15 The Message

“There’s more to come: we continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling short-changed. Quite the contrary – we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit.” –Romans 5.3-5 The Message

“You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong.” James 5.7-8 The Message

“What a gift life is to those who stay the course!” –James 5.11 The Message

Patience is something our generation struggles with. But possessing patience would make life a lot more laid back and enjoyable. When I’m waiting in the line at Saga at 12:30 for lunch on a weekday I wish I were a more patient person, so I could just talk with my friends and not feel so rushed.

Let’s be honest, Alma College does not set us up to be patient people. We all are involved in many different things and so we want to be as efficient as possible in all realms of life in order to do it all!

Why is it so hard to wait? What’s the rush? We all have a lot of living ahead of us, but we refuse to wait for five minutes for a video to load on YouTube! We live in a culture of instant gratification. But, God is telling us that anything worth waiting for, like oh I don’t know Heaven or your dream job or a friend’s forgiveness will come with “patient persistence”. This doesn’t mean you can go sit on your couch and complain about not getting that job. You have to actively seek out these things. God wants us to know that if we are patient, we will notice all the fabulous things in our lives, our own potential; we will realize what we are capable of.

I’m going to try to be more patient with people over Lent because, “what a gift life is to those who stay the course!” I’d rather enjoy every minute of this life than impatiently give up on anything I’m passionate about! 

Light of My Life

Erin Chon is a freshman in high school and has been involved with her church ever since she was born. Born into a Presbyterian family, with a pastor father, her life was heavily influenced by the ways of Christ. Today, she continues her faith journey at Alma College and participates as a member of Alma Chapel's Host Team

"Come to me, all you that are weary and care carrying heavy burdens, 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)

            

During the course of our life time, we experience many things, both terrible and wondrous. But it is during the times of struggle when we must look to God and entrust our burdens to him -- Burdens of both the present and future. as long as the Lord is in control, there could only be blessings.

            The Lord goes on to say, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me". So as we come to trust the Lord with our burdens, he trusts us with his. "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30).  But what is it that makes his burden so "light"? The answer is that you never have to carry it alone, because Christ will always be with you every step of the way. Also, never forget your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who also carry his burden.

            So, as you carry the Lord's yoke, do so with a strong heart and living not by sight, but faith. He will lift your heavy burdens and lay upon you his humble and merciful heart; For his love is his burden put onto you.

Peace from God

Here are two new post for Saturday since I forgot on Friday!

Annalise is a Junior from Grand Rapids who loves friends, art, laughing, dancing, and Disney movies.    

2-25-12

2^nd Thessalonians 3:16: Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with you.

“God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there.  There is no such thing.” –CS Lewis

There are a lot of things in this world that fight to take our peace away from us—stress, relationships, sickness, money, the day-to-day struggles of living on this earth.  Everyday there is a new challenge to face, and it is easy to let the inner conflicts take over and begin to build walls between you and God.  But that isn’t what He wants for us.  God wants us to be free from worry and anguish, even in the darkest hours, He is always there.  He is there guiding and protecting you, loving you.  From the very moment you were created.  And He has a plan.  That plan is grace and peace and love.  No matter what happens, God is still loving you, his grace will reach you, and his peace will fill you.  There will be days when it will feel harder to find, but if you open all the doors, He will come in.   Psalm 34:14 says “…seek peace and pursue it.”  We have to pursue it because it is an ongoing fight in our time here, but God will greet you with new peace every morning, so just keep going back for more. 

“…seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14

Center

Author:  Marta is an active participant in CSO and studies as often as she can!

I was born and raised in a Catholic family.  We went to church every Sunday, we prayed before we ate and went to bed, I attended a youth catholic ministry group that met every week; I was in the perfect environment.  In spite of all that, I had no clue of God’s goodness.  I never fully paid attention to the beauty of His works or even really knew how to love Him.  As I entered my third year of college, I met some people that changed my entire life by introducing me to the Rosary, Confession, and most of all… The Divine Mercy Chaplet.  This prayer is said at the 3 o’clock holy hour, and should be especially blessed on the first Sunday after Easter.  These were Jesus’ words to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment” (Diary, 699).  What makes this feast so wonderful is that the Lord attached an abundance of promises to it.  If we take the time to worship God, He will pour out His infinite and merciful love upon us.  It will light up our soul and lift us up to where our spirit shines out on the whole world, so that others may be witnesses to his great glory.  It is a time of grace for all people, no matter how awful are sins may be.  I spent the last 20 years of my life completely ignoring God, who is so infinitely good.  As soon as I realized that, I put Christ in the center of my life.  He still forgave me after rejecting Him for so long. That is true love.  I now know how to love Him.  I love Him more than myself.  Our Lord wants us to trust and believe in the goodness of His love, and this is how we can start, by saying The Divine Mercy Chaplet.  It is truly wonderful!