Headwind

Riding my bike home yesterday I hit a strong headwind. All the way home it was a struggle. The wind blowing straight in my face made riding on flat land seem like riding uphill. Climbing from Ann Morrison Park up onto the Bench was a grind. It reminded me of my life recently. I counted eight different discouraging things that have hit my wife and me in the past few weeks. It started with things like appliances breaking, theft, and financial losses. It continued with injuries and illnesses and it peaked with the diagnosis of my brother-in-law with cancer. To cap it off (so far) I got a deer... which might seem like a good thing, except that at the same time I also got a deep impression of a deer on the front of my Suburban, so we are down one vehicle. Looking around, I know my struggles pale in comparison to many of you. I am not faced with the things that you are, but I still have a choice to make. Each one of these things is attempting to discourage me, to keep me from moving forward, to cause me to lose faith and live outside the strength God gives me. We often wonder why struggling and suffering has to be a part of life. When you boil it down, the answer is, "life is not about ME". Life is about God's Kingdom, not about my comfort. Life is about being in relationship with God, hearing and obeying his daily guidance, finding joy in the purpose he gives you. Paul's journey to Rome was a rough one (Acts 27). After fourteen days in a storm, his ship broke up and he struggled for his life. He finally made it to shore and sat there in the cold rain. To top it off, he got bit by a snake! What did he do? How deep was his depression at his misfortune? There's no mention of discouragement! In fact, in the middle of the shipwreck, he is saving lives. After the snake bite he is caring for the sick father of Publius, who allowed them to stay at his house after the shipwreck. Paul knew his purpose and it clarified his life no matter what happened. When we lived in Seattle I knew a woman named Ila Mae with cerebral palsy. One time in the middle church, right in the middle of the sermon a man stood up and asked, "Why is Ila Mae in a wheelchair?" Without missing a beat the preacher said, "So you can push her." Each of us has a choice when it comes to struggles. We can be mired in depression because of ours, or we can look around and see the struggles of those around us and spread God's love, expand God's Kingdom. Life is not about me! My purpose is far greater than selfishness. When I hit a headwind riding home I am not discouraged... I just see it as a better workout. - Monty Moreland "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?" - Jesus, Matthew 16:24-26 Free Thursday Lunch Today 11:30 AM -1:00 PM every Thursday. Classes Announced Soon ...but not yet. We are buisily working to solidify the schedule of classes offered at The Center next semester. Calendar of Events Don't forget about our calendar online. Join a bible study or visit one of the groups that meets at The Center. Samantha's Intern Update Samantha has been assisting around The Center, learning about Campus Ministry, and doing all sorts of things to help God's Kingdom this Semester. She has been a blessing to many people. You might enjoy reading her update on things she has done this semester: CLICK HERE. If you would like to join Samantha's internship support facebook group, click here.

Samantha's October Intern Update

My Dear Friends and Family,
October is soon coming to a close and with it marks two months that I’ve been working as the Biblical Studies Center Intern. It has been a bumpy road, but God has shown me a lot through the curves and the bumps and I’m looking forward to seeing more of what He has for me. I’m beginning to understand that if my journey as an intern was a straight road with perfectly laid pavement, I would not be learning as much nor would God be able to stretch me in the many ways that He is.

Ministry is an interesting profession, filled with many leaps of faith. As a younger Christian it has been hard to understand the importance of trusting God, even harder to recognize that sometimes I’m lacking in faith. But God is full of grace and I simply ask for more faith. I believe that one day God will be able to use this time in my life to encourage someone else in their walk of faith. Along with learning these lessons I’ve been spending much time working in the Center’s library updating our system so that it will be compatible with most Universities including Boise State, meeting with fellow students and hearing about how God is working in their life, meeting with campus ministers, planning Tuesday nights (Synergy) with other students, and many other odds and ends.

Aside from everything that I’ve been learning personally, much is going on at Boise State and the Center. Many Christian groups have been having their retreats these past few weeks, including Synergy which is the group I work most closely with. A group of 21 students and two adults went to Sun Valley, Idaho for a time of fellowship, games, worship, and memory making. It was a fun time and our community grew closer together as we learned about what God has for any community of believers. Leaving encouraged and bonded more closely together I’m looking forward to how God will use us as we begin to explore how to be in relationship with non-Christians on campus.

The Biblical Studies Center itself has been a host for many Bible studies and small group discussions, classes, large Christian group meetings, and of course those famous Thursday lunches. I’ve been able to assist by helping get the word out by keeping bulletin boards updated, sending out Facebook messages, and making a pamphlet of the many Christian groups that meet at the Center or on campus.

Some great campus outreaches that have been going on are groups of people walking around campus on Tuesday nights praying over it, a small group going to the Secular Student Alliance meetings and forming relationships with those people who speak out against religion, and groups of students are stepping up and going to Serve Saturdays which are sponsored by Boise State and before this year few Christians have attended. It has been great to hear about the conversations that have been occurring and the relationships that have been forged because of these simple acts of love.

As promised this is my update to you about how God is working in my life and the lives of those at Boise State. Much more has been going on than what I could possibly fit into a small update letter and if you are ever interested I would love to give you more information.

I’m looking to raise the rest of my funds for this semester which is in the amount of $938. Anything you can give is always appreciated. I know that during these economic times it can be hard to give, but as always, every bit counts. To those of you who have already committed money to me, I again appreciate your support and ask for your continued prayers.

May the Lord be with all of you, in your own communities. We serve a God who cares deeply about His every child, may you be comforted in that and feel the enormous love that He has for you. Thank you for everything.

With many blessings and prayers,
Samantha Thorson

News and Interviews

Meet Samantha BSC Intern This Fall The Center re-started its internship program. I asked Samantha Thorson, our first intern, to introduce herself through this email. In her own words (below) you can catch a glimpse of the reason I am excited to work with Samantha this year. Please prayerfully consider supporting her in her internship. She is looking for friends to join her in Campus Ministry by supporting her financially through this Spring. - Monty Moreland ~~~ Hey everyone! I'm the 2009-2010 Biblical Studies Center's Intern. Most of you know me better as Samantha Thorson though (and I do prefer to be called Samantha as opposed to intern.) I'm really excited for this year and all that is happening and all that will happen at The Center. It's been an interesting journey thus far and I'm certain it will continue to be so. I'm supposed to give you the run-down on who I am, so here we go! I grew up in northern Idaho (although I was never really a fan of the Vandals, so no worries.) Specifically, I was born and raised in Lewiston, Idaho and I moved down to Boise when I was 18 to attend college at Boise State University. I'm currently a sophomore and working on getting a Bachelor's in Social Work. Becoming a Christian at age 16 was one of the most defining moments of my life so far, the journey since I began walking down that path has been intense, challenging, but very rewarding. As I've continued to walk down this path I've recognized that God is preparing me for a life of ministry. In what capacity I will actually serve I'm not so sure, but the internship at The Center will be a huge, pivotal stepping stone as God continues to mold my life. Some random facts about me are that I'm an avid reader, I'm really klutzy, I worked at a camp all summer on the Oregon Coast, my eyebrows can do the wave, I laugh too much, and aside from God who is everything, I think people and the relationships we have with one another is the most important thing we will ever do on this earth. Now you know some of the most vital things about me (oh I can be sarcastic too.) Feel free to pester me whenever you see me around, I'd love to get to know you better and answer any questions you have for me! May God bless your day and your year and may we honor God in all we do and say. - Samantha Free Thursday Lunch Today 11:30 AM -1:00 PM every Thursday. Prepared and Donated by Doug Rowland and Campus Bible Fellowship Today's Menu: Hamburgers, Baked Beans, Chips, and Root Beer Floats! Thanks to everyone who has volunteered for helping with lunches! This semester is now filled for Thursday Lunch volunteers. Let me know if you are interested with helping next semester. Lobby Renovation A major improvement to the building has been completed. The photo below shows the results of the renovation... the ceiling was raised and replaced, the walls and floor redone, new lighting, the office is more open and a new coffee bar is in use. Thanks goes to a generous donor and a lot of hard workers! Stop by to see it for yourself. Arbiter Article on GCD and Baptisms GCD (Generation Church Downtown) meets at The Center on Thursdays. They recently got the Arbiter's attention when four were baptized last Thursday at The Center and in Cornerstone. Read their article and see a video of that night by clicking here. Cornerstone Studies 1 & 2 Peter - Thursdays 3-4pm. It will cover about 1 chapter a week - ending just before Thanksgiving break. Book Club: "Reason for God" by Tim Keller - Wednesdays 2-3pm. Tim Keller addresses objections that skeptics have toward Christianity, and then he gives an argument for belief in Christ. Cornerstone is discounting the paperbacks - only $5! (This is an $11 discount off retail!) Who do You Think You Are? A course in personal identity for Christian women begins Wednesday, Oct 7 4:00-5:30 PM. It is only 4 sessions - Wednesdays through October. Led by Darby Thomas. Oct 7: Decision Making, Oct 14: Goal Setting, Oct 21: Guidance and the Will of God, Oct 28: Discovering your personal identity.

Slow Leak

Slow Leak I have been bike commuting to work for 14 months now. On my commute for the last two weeks I have encountered my occasional riding partner three times. He is the one I see most often on the road each morning... always catching up and passing me as I ride along. He is the one I wrote about last Semester... the rabbit. I was so happy last week. On Tuesday I kept pace with him. He passed me. I stayed on his tail the rest of the way. On Friday I saw a blinking light on a bike ahead of me as I started my ride and, as always, I tried to pass it. To my surprise when I caught up to the light, it was him! For the first time ever, I passed him! I think he was surprised too, and he took the lead before long. My old mountain bike trailed closely behind his road bike for the entire 9 mile stretch. I was feeling good! Look how far I had come in just over a year. Yesterday he passed me early in the long stretch down Emerald. I smiled and tucked in behind him as I had before. Soon I began to notice him pulling away. I was struggling. I was pushing as hard as I could, but he easily pulled away from me. When I caught up with him at a red light, I reached down and felt my back tire. It was soft and squishy... it was punctured. I hit a thorn and my tire was slowly going flat. On the green light he easily pulled away into the dark as I struggled to reach my destination. I had to push harder. I had to stop twice to refill the leaky tube before I arrived at the office. In my pack was the solution. All wrapped up, hidden away were the puncture shields I bought. I had been meaning to install them for weeks. These tire liners keep thorns from puncturing the tube and letting the air out. Instead, I neglected it and was deflated, had to struggle harder, had a lot more trouble getting where I was going. I was reminded of what Paul tells us our shield is. "Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Eph 6:16. How is faith our shield? How does believing in God protect us from the arrows meant to puncture? How is being sure of things that we can't see going to keep us from harm? As I contemplated this, I thought back to the times I had acted in faith. I thought about how God had worked in my family to move us to Boise two years ago. When I stepped out in faith, God revealed himself. God moved in ways I will never forget. I am reminded to continue daily... walk by faith, not by sight. God has given me a task. I must believe that he will be faithful to see it through. I must base every action, every decision, on that belief. By believing, my life remains solid, my purpose intact, my "spiritual tires" inflated. Without faith, I live my life with a slow leak, under-inflated tires, struggling with things unnecessarily, having trouble reaching my destination. Too many times my faith is packed away neatly in my bag... hidden and useless. Until I pull it out and put it to use, I am living unprotected, susceptible to discouragement, depression, deflation... Put on your shield of Faith and live a full life, protected from Satan's flaming arrows (and thorns). "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Heb 10:23 -Monty Moreland Free Thursday Lunch Today 11:30 AM -1:00 PM every Thursday. You don't want to miss this one! Today's Menu: Chicken Divan, Green Salad, Vegetables, & Fresh Fruit, Dinner Rolls, Dessert/Cake Prepared and donated by Roger, Barbara and Becky Button There is one lunch still in need of volunteers to help with and/or provide the meal. 10/22. Please reply if you can help. Tailgate this Saturday at 4:30 PM Before the football game this Saturday - all are invited to join with Christian Bible Fellowship for a tailgate party at The Center. Cornerstone Studies 1 & 2 Peter - Thursdays 3-4pm. It will cover about 1 chapter a week - ending just before Thanksgiving break. Book Club: "Reason for God" by Tim Keller - Wednesdays 2-3pm. Tim Keller addresses objections that skeptics have toward Christianity, and then he gives an argument for belief in Christ. Cornerstone is discounting the paperbacks - only $5! (This is an $11 discount off retail!) Who do You Think You Are? A course in personal identity for Christian women begins Wednesday, Oct 7 4:00-5:30 PM. It is only 4 sessions - Wednesdays through October. Led by Darby Thomas. Oct 7: Decision Making, Oct 14: Goal Setting, Oct 21: Guidance and the Will of God, Oct 28: Discovering your personal identity.

Throwing De-Baby out with De-Baptism

Throwing De-Baby out with De-Baptism Last week the Secular Student Association (club at BSU) held a de-baptism service for those students who wanted to rid themselves of previous religious commitments. Reading through their comments and watching the video at The Arbiter online (click here to see it) I realized I had some things in common with the SSA. They have a major problem with meaningless religion. So do I. The SSA members I have seen have been burned by empty, meaningless religion forced on them mostly by well-meaning parents. So, they throw it ALL out - the religion, the traditions, the notion that there could possibly be a God. This happens when families raise their kids going through the motions of a religious service and strict discipline of observing traditions, but the real power of God is missing. It is empty and meaningless. Since they can't see any evidence that God exists, it is all thrown out. Like the SSA, I throw out meaningless religion. I refuse to spend my time in empty, meaningless religious activity. However, unlike the SSA, I see a lot of evidence that God exists. So, I take Jesus' lead in how I respond. In Mark 12 Jesus is teaching. As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." Why do somewhere between 75% and 85% of all teens/college age (statistics I have heard recently) reject their religion when they get out on their own? If they have not seen God in it, why should they keep it? It does not make sense to keep it. Who can blame them? Earlier in Mark Jesus said of children, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea." (Mark 9:42) Who is to blame when God is rejected by those brought up in the church? If they can't see God, maybe the system is broken. -Monty Moreland Free Thursday Lunch Today 11:30 AM -1:00 PM every Thursday. Today's Menu: Lasagna, Spaghetti or Beef Stroganoff! There are 2 lunches still in need of volunteers to help with and/or provide the meal. 10/22 and 11/5. Please reply if you can help. Great Start to the Semester! The initial enrollment in classes was up to 122 this Fall compared to 93 last Fall. More students are finding out about the resources available around The Center and making use of them. Most importantly, the Kingdom of God is the focus... many students are seeing the vision of how God wants to use The Center, Cornerstone, and partnering campus ministries to His glory. The Center's new Intern! This Fall we started an internship in Campus Ministry. Samantha Thorson is our first intern. She has already been a great blessing to God's Kingdom... working with Synergy for our Tuesday night meeting, helping spread the word about classes, Thursday lunch, and other opportunities, meeting with new students, and more! Samantha is raising funds to support her internship. Please contact Monty Moreland for more info on how to help Samantha. Cornerstone Studies 1 & 2 Peter - Thursdays 3-4pm. It will cover about 1 chapter a week - ending just before Thanksgiving break. Book Club: "Reason for God" by Tim Keller - Wednesdays 3-4pm. Tim Keller addresses objections that skeptics have toward Christianity, and then he gives an argument for belief in Christ. Cornerstone is discounting the paperbacks - only $5! (This is an $11 discount off retail!) Healed and Set Free Kelly Antonczak, a student at The Center, is co-teaching a class for college age women. Mondays at 6:00 pm at Calvarly Chapel in the latino services building. "Healed and Set Free" by Tammy Brown Lead by Kelly Antonczak and Hallie Baxter Who do You Think You Are? A course in personal identity for Christian women begins Wednesday, Oct 7 4:00-5:30 PM. It is only 4 sessions - Wednesdays through October. Led by Darby Thomas. Oct 7: Decision Making, Oct 14: Goal Setting, Oct 21: Guidance and the Will of God, Oct 28: Discovering your personal identity. Covenant Bible Study Tuesdays at 6:15 PM Monty and Mari Beth Moreland started an 11 lesson series on Covenant. This study requires daily homework. The book is $15. If you are interested, please contact Monty soon as the study has met once already.

Free Thursday Lunch Starts Today!

The 1st Free Lunch this Semester TODAY! Bring friends. Accredited Classes are under way! IT IS STILL NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER. Free to BSU Students, very inexpensive for others. Please pass the word along to new students. Click here to see the list of 9 classes this Fall. You can register online or in person. Thursday Lunch Begins Today (Thursday 8/27) 11:30 AM -1:00 PM every Thursday. We are in need of volunteers to help with this Fall's lunches. If you have questions, please reply. Thursday Lunch is a great time to introduce new students to campus ministry resources around campus and at The Center. People from many campus ministries are there. Come by and find out what is going for God's Kingdom around campus. Classes for Fall 2009 FREE TO BSU STUDENTS! Very Inexpensive otherwise. ACCREDITED! Spread the word. Elementary Hebrew I was added to our Biblical language offerings! This is a rare opportunity. There are 9 classes offered this Fall! Click here for the a detailed description and the registration form. Evidences of Christianity (Apologetics) Instructor: Bill Pubols Mondays 12:40PM-2:20PM Life of Christ: Matthew Instructor: Tom Bowen Thursdays 12:40PM-2:20PM Story of the Old Testament Instructor: Bill Westfall Wednesdays 12:40PM-2:20PM Biblical Exegesis Instructor: Timothy Gordon Thursdays 6:15PM-9:00PM World Religions Instructor: Dr. John Greenlee Fridays 12:40PM-3:10PM Job to Song of Solomon Instructor: John Moreland Tuesdays 12:40PM-3:10PM Advanced Homiletics Instructor: Kevin Skidmore Tuesdays 6:30PM-9:00PM Elementary Greek I Instructor: John Moreland MWF 10:40AM-11:30AM Elementary Hebrew I Instructor: Nathan Wheeler Mondays 9:40AM-12:10PM

Classes start this week! It's not too late to register.

Accredited Classes start THIS WEEK! IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER. Free to BSU Students, very inexpensive for others. Please pass the word along to new students. Click here to see the list of 9 classes this Fall. You can register online or in person. Thursday Lunch Begins Thursday (8/27) When classes are in session, plan on Thursday Lunch! 11:30 AM -1:00 PM every Thursday. We are in need of volunteers to help with this Fall's lunches (including next week). If you have questions, please reply. Thursday Lunch is a great time to introduce new students to campus ministry resources around campus and at The Center. People from many campus ministries are there. Come by and find out what is going for God's Kingdom around campus. Classes for Fall 2009 FREE TO BSU STUDENTS! Very Inexpensive otherwise. ACCREDITED! Spread the word. Elementary Hebrew I was added to our Biblical language offerings! This is a rare opportunity. There are 9 classes offered this Fall! Click here for the a detailed description and the registration form. Evidences of Christianity (Apologetics) Instructor: Bill Pubols Mondays 12:40PM-2:20PM Life of Christ: Matthew Instructor: Tom Bowen Thursdays 12:40PM-2:20PM Story of the Old Testament Instructor: Bill Westfall Wednesdays 12:40PM-2:20PM Biblical Exegesis Instructor: Timothy Gordon Thursdays 6:15PM-9:00PM World Religions Instructor: Dr. John Greenlee Fridays 12:40PM-3:10PM Job to Song of Solomon Instructor: John Moreland Tuesdays 12:40PM-3:10PM Advanced Homiletics Instructor: Kevin Skidmore Tuesdays 6:30PM-9:00PM Elementary Greek I Instructor: John Moreland MWF 10:40AM-11:30AM Elementary Hebrew I Instructor: Nathan Wheeler Mondays 9:40AM-12:10PM