Winning Inning

I have been so busy lately; I apologize if you have check my blog frequently only to be disappointed by the same words that you have seen again and again.  So, here are some new words, and I gladly report that they are words of good news.  I know it may not seem like much to you, but I’m very exited.  The Patriot League has just won its first softball game of the season.  We had such a great day.  The weather was beautiful and cool.  We had a shortage of league members present, but thankfully we had ten present to fill the roster.  I was so proud today of how well everybody played.  We did not have a power hitting line up, but the consistency of our batters was very good.  I was also very happy with how well the ladies on our league did.  All in all, we had a great game, and I’m very encouraged.  My first win as a coach.  Not only did we win, but we won on a mercy rule.  We were up by 15 runs after four innings.  We have another game tomorrow against the undefeated Conqueror League.  I hope we can play at least as well as we did tonight then.  School is going well.  I’ll try to give you an update on all that this weekend.

John

Indicted

Here’s an interesting anecdote from class yesterday.  The teacher was speaking briefly on certain aspects of fundamentalist, pre-millennialist history.  He mentioned the Scofield Study Bible and asked who in class had one.  Then he asked the class an interesting question.  He asked, “Who do you think in this room would be the most likely to write another study reference Bible?” As I scanned the room to evaluate who I thought it would be, everyone else turned to me. Then, almost in unison, the rest of the class said that it would be I who would be most likely to write reference notes for a study Bible.  Who knows?  Maybe someday I will :D.

John

Take Off

Tonight was the first game of the softball season here at ABC.  Tonight the Patriots played against the Conquerors in a valiant struggle for dominance.  I have the slightly overwhelming privilege of coaching and organizing the Patriot’s softball team this year.  I did the best with what I had where I was, and we actually had a great game.  One interesting rule here is that at least three girls must play on the line-up or else the team cannot play.  Last year, finding enough girls to play was often a struggle.  Thankfully, this time around an abundance of athletic freshman young ladies have joined out league, so we will not have a problem filling our roster.  I watched and played tonight as the Patriots, on the opening game of the season, took on the power hitting Conquerors and held their own in one of the best games I’ve seen the Patriot league play in my entire school tenure.  We did not end up winning, but I’m encouraged about the season ahead and all the possibilities we’ll have.  Final score was 16 to 21, Conqueror’s game.  The nice thing is we weren’t blown away, and we scored more in this game than any other game in all of last season.  (I think this is an accurate statement.)

(Coach) John

Opening Revival, Personal Revival

Here I go again. I'm going to attempt to keep my blog somewhat updated this coming semester. I know that many of you that read this are praying for me, and you are interested in knowing how things are going at school and how God is answering prayers, especially ones for which you pray, in my life. This past week was Ambassador's Opening Revival week. Many people disagree with ABC's position to have a revival at the start of the school year; some even ridicule the school for doing this. I, however, am so glad that even at an institution of higher learning the preaching of God's word is afforded the highest priority. I know that I was certainly blessed this week, and not only challenged but changed by what took place during those special preaching services. I was also glad for the opportunity it allowed for me to sing with the Ensemble again in two of those services. One of the things I love most about being here at school is all the times I can use my voice and the talent he gave me to sing his praises and glorify His great name. Besides the revival, classes began in full this week with projects, test, quizzes, and memorization all in place.

One event sticks out in my mind from this week. I was in a 7 AM voice class (crazy, I know) and Doc was talking about the apparatus which is used to sing, the instrument of the human vocal system. When he mentioned that he quoted, Ps 139:14, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I deviated in my mind from the lecture for a moment and reflected on how amazing it is that I can be at a place that recognized God as the Creator and attributes rightly His works to Him even in a class about the voice; it's not even a Bible or Theology class. I love when the truths of God's Word leave the realm of theory and penetrate deep in the most practical of our lives' situations.

I've been able to work this week. I thank God and praise Him for the privileges He has bestowed upon me. But with the hours I work and the pay I receive, I know that I'm still not earning enough to pay for school in and of myself. I'm so glad that God does not call me to be sufficient of myself. But He says, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The preaching on prayer this week revitalized my trust in God to provide for me. I know He wants to give me good things more than I even know to ask Him for them.

John