Heading Off to School

In two weeks, I will be in the car driving up to a remote town in southern Michigan. My trunk will be full of clothes, books, and miscellaneous items with which to survive over the next eight months. Yes, the time is almost here for me to go to college. Let me tell you, this is a pretty big step for me, but the truth is, I'm greatly looking forward to it. Everyone who I talk to tells me "College will be the best four years of your life" (or, as the guy I met on the beach said yesterday, "College was the best seven years of my life"). As I head off, I thought I would tell you guys about the school and what I'll be studying while I'm there so that you can pray for me.

Hillsdale College was founded in 1844, and it was the first college in the nation to accept students regardless of race or sex. It has always been committed to the principles of freedom and liberty, and although it is not a "Christian" school, it is very conservative and teaches everything from a Judeo-Christian foundation. It is a small school, with only about 1300 students, and it is known for being very academically rigorous.

One of the main reasons that the school is well-known is because it has refused to take any federal funding for the last several decades. Most schools depend heavily on funds from the government, either in grants or in financial aid to students, but the government takes such aid as giving them the right to interfere in the college's daily operations. When Hillsdale discovered this, it made the decision that rather than have it's independence compromised, it would simply refuse all federal aid and rely on private donations. This tactic has worked remarkably well, and the college has no trouble raising funds (it has just completed a huge renovation of the dining hall, and has also built a new Student Union building within the last two years).

Hillsdale has a very strong liberal arts program, and actually requires all freshmen to take a number of specific courses, including "Western Heritage" and "Rhetoric/Great Books". That way, every student has the same foundation on which to build their education. It is especially well-known for its history program, which is the program I currently plan on entering. I will be majoring in history, with the intention of going on to either law school, grad school, or seminary.

I am in the HonoUr's Program (yes, we insist on spelling it with a U), which I'm very excited about. In the Honours Program we take special sections of certain classes, go on a yearly retreat, and do all kinds of fun things together. I have several friends already at the College and in the Honour's Program, and they tell me that Honours is one of the best parts of the school.

My first semester I will be taking Western Heritage, Rhetoric/Great Books, Latin I (I flunked my placement exam, so I have to take it over again), Differential Calculus, Choir, and either Golf or Weight-Training. I'm very excited about my schedule, and I look forward to getting started in all these classes (except for Calc, but after that math is over forever :D ).

Sprititually, I'm looking forward to making my way through some classics of the faith. I want to read some Edwards, some Owens, some Augustine, some Spurgeon, some Bunyan, and other great works. I am currently reading John Stott's classic The Cross of Christ which is excellent, and after that we'll see what I can get my hands on next. I am also buying Calvin's Institutes with the money I got from my birthday, as Mr. Boisvert told me that every serious student of the faith should have it in their bookshelf. I look forward to benefitting from it when it arrives.

Here, then, are my prayer requests over the next year:

• That The Clash would prepare me mentally for the spiritual opposition I am sure to face, both from professors and from students
• That I would have the self-control to get up early enough to have my quiet time every morning, no matter how early my classes start
• That I would have the courage to engage my unbelieving friends in conversations about their faith, and that I would be faithful to share the gospel with them
• That I would be responsible and spend my time wisely, and especially be able to budget my time spent blogging and browsing the internet
• That my roommate and I would get along and experience fruitful fellowship together as brothers in the faith (his name is Tom, and he was in my AP US History and AP Macroeconomics classes, so I know him a little bit and know that he's a Christian)
• That I would call home regularly and stay in touch with all of my dear friends back in Maryland
• That my computer would not have any problems for at least the first year :D

Well, there you go. Please keep me in your prayers over the next few weeks as I pack, attend The Clash, and move into my new school. I'm so excited to see what God is going to do!

The Law of the Lord

I was reading in Psalms this morning and came across this beautiful passage in Psalm 19 that I wanted to share with you.

The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

the precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the Lord is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true,

and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

How precious do I find the laws of God? Do I find them as sweet as the honeycomb? Do they revive my soul, rejoice my heart, enlighten my eyes? Do I desire them more than gold? Oh Lord, let this be the cry of my heart every day, to immerse myself in your word and your law.

Sam is a Little Busy...

Sam's a little busy, and can't update right now, so we'll continue on the Ten Commandments later...

For now,

James 5:15-18
"And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit."

Over the past few months, God has shown me time and time again the power of prayer.

Early on this year, I found out that the nephew of some of my closest friends had a tumor in his brain. Things didn't really look too good, but we prayed for him in faith. Through many different surgeries, and through miracles, the tumor is gone last I heard, and he is continuing chemotherapy in order to make sure it stays away.

At the beginning of this past summer, I was talking with a close friend, JD. I told him that one of my prayer requests for the summer was to be filled anew with the Holy Spirit, and to receive the gift of tongues. Nearly three weeks later, while in Mexico, another friend was taken to the hospital. A bunch of us were shaken up, and I went to go pray with three dear friends of mine. As we were praying, God filled me with His Holy Spirit, and a peace filled me inside. Suddenly, I started praying very quietly in tongues. My faith was immediately strengthened.

As the summer continued, I began feeling a burden to pray for the upcoming youth retreat. I felt like He wanted me to pray for the salvation of certain friends. I got a small group together, and we prayed for the retreat. During that week, God was obviously working. I know of five different people who gave their lives to the Lord that week. I also, as an answer to my last request, received many different gifts from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith

John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Romans 8:34
Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Why can we come to God in prayer? We can come because Jesus Christ died, and is now interceding for us at the throne of God. God hears our prayers, and answers our prayers.

There is power in prayer. Prayer is a way of fellowshiping with God. I encourage each of you to spend much time every day praying, seeking, asking, and praising God. Ask for strength. Ask for healing. Ask for salvation for friends or family. Ask for miracles. Ask for boldness. Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Prayer has Power

Philippians 4:6-7

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.