Pillsbury Baptist Bible College

Announcement from Pillsbury.edu:

"The Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Board of Trustees has announced that the college will cease academic activities on December 31, 2008. National economic conditions combined with deficits caused by declining enrollment have exhausted Pillsbury’s financial reserves, leaving the college without funds to complete the school year.

Pillsbury is committed to help current students complete their educational goals. Several sister institutions are working with the college to facilitate the transfer of credits and academic programs for those who choose to transfer.

Pillsbury will invite college representatives from sister schools to the campus to inform students of the academic and financial assistance programs they are making available to Pillsbury students affected by the closure.

The Registrar’s Office and Financial Aid Office will assist current students transferring to other colleges. Transcripts and academic records will be maintained for perpetuity at a sister college. The campus will be sold and the proceeds used to meet obligations to creditors as well as assist faculty, staff and students with the transition."

This announcement was made today, and I for one am both surprised and not by this. I had previously heard that the college was having some financial difficulties (which was one of the reasons why I did not further pursue looking into the school. I do feel that I am where God wants me at MBBC).

Fellowship

One of my favorite things about attending a Christian college is the opportunities to have fellowship with fellow believers in Christ. Some of the most precious times are when a group of believers can sit down and talk about God, discuss Biblical truths, or just plain have fun with games and activities that make people grow closer not only to God but also to each other.

Having someone to talk to

Ephesians 4:17-19

Ephesians 4:19-32 is the passage that my dorm is studying and memorizing this semester. So far, my room of 4 girls has memorized the first 3 verses. The message of these verses is amazing: a warning against believers walking about as unbelievers do, with sin rampant in their lives. It shows believers what a worldly, ungodly person is like and to avoid that in their own lives. It's amazing to me how just by memorizing a few verses from scripture can help you to understand it more clearly.

And Can it Be That I Should Gain?

This is one hymn that I find particularly moving. To hear the melodies to any hymns I post, go to this website and search the title: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose."


To them that love God is the human perspective. God is working all things together for good, but those who love God are best able to appreciate that fact because they love Him no matter what (cf. Job 13:15). To them that are the called is the divine perspective. Scripture often refers to believers as "the called" or the "elect."*



*(Taken from the Nelson King James Study Bible)

This is My Father's World

This is one of my favorite hymns! The message is amazing and it just reminds us that this world really belongs to its creator, God!

1. This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

2. This is my Father's world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
he shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.

3. This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

God's Place in My Life

Over the past few weeks, I have come to some new realizations about my walk with Christ. Above all I believe that God has shown me that I have been creating "time tables" of when I want to accomplish certain things to be doing certain things and making plans to do things without consulting God whatsoever. I recently realized, through God working in my life by way of Christian friends here at college and by lessons from my devotions, that I need to leave everything to God. He is not only the author and finisher of my faith, but He created me and my life, and I owe everything to Him, including control over the decisions in my life. God will bring things into my life when He sees fit, and it will be perfect because HE, not me, is in control of everything. Only with God at the steering wheel of my life will I be complete and happy!

College classes...

Sometimes (actually a lot of the time...) I cannot stand speech class. It's one of those classes that I'm only taking because I have to. I'd almost say I hate it...it's more of a very strong dislike:). English is alright; writing papers is better than giving speeches. My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE class so far is Old Testament Survey! Dr. Price is amazing, and I love reading the OT and hearing new insights and things that I didn't know about it before. It's the most interesting class I have!!!

Chapel is a great time, too. The entire student body comes together and sings and hears great messages from God's word from the college president or whoever other special speaker happens to be speaking.

The other time that is absolutely awesome are the room devos (devotionals). This is the time when my three room mates and I get together and do a devo and talk about everything under the sun, from how great God is to guy troubles...

I'd have to say that I absolutely love college life!!!

The Norwegian Goes to North Dakota...

So, here's the scoop:

There's this Norwegian guy who decides to visit North Dakota. When he gets there, he meets this Indian guy.

The Indian guy says, "I'm gonna tell you a riddle. If you guess right, I'll you a drink, but if you lose then you buy me a drink."

The Norwegian considers this and decides that it's a pretty good deal. "Sure," he says.

The Indian guy tells the riddle: "My mother and my father have a child. It's not my brother, or my sister. Who is it."

The Norwegian considers this and replies, "I have no idea. Who is it?"

The Indian guy says, "It's me, duh." So the Norwegian buys the Indian guy a drink.

When the Norwegian gets back home, he decides he's going to tell this great riddle to his friends. "My parents have a child." He tells them. "It's not my sister, and it's not my brother. Who is it?"

His friends haven't the slightest clue and ask him, "Who is it?"

The Norwegian goes on to tell the punchline: "It's some Indian guy from North Dakota!!!"