Denver, Colorado (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Colorado State Motto (1861) and State Seal (1877)
Nil sine numine
“Nothing without the Deity”
Image credit: Wikipedia
To read the introduction to this post, CLICK HERE.
Tag Archives: Bryan College
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Colorado)
Filed under America, Apologetics, community, Culture Wars, Faith, God, politics, The Magnificent Fifty
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Arkansas)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Arkansas Supreme Court (1905)
This system of religion (Christianity) is recognized as constituting a part and parcel of the common law.
Shaver v. The State, 10 Ark. 259, 263
To read the introduction to this series, CLICK HERE.
Filed under America, Apologetics, Christianity, Faith, politics
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Arizona)
Pheonix, Arizona (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Constitution Preamble (1911)
We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
48th State: Feb 14, 1912 Built: 1901
To read the introduction to this series, CLICK HERE.
Filed under America, Apologetics, Faith
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Alaska)
Juneau, Alaska (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Constitution Preamble (1956)
We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
49th State: Jan 3, 1959 Style: Art Deco Built: 1931
To read the introduction to this series, CLICK HERE.
Filed under America, Apologetics, community, Culture Wars, God, politics
Preaching to the Lions
Bryan College
Earlier this month I had the awesome opportunity and tremendous honor to speak/preach to the student body at Bryan College in Dayton, TN (where one of our daughters attends). What a great university where Christ is “Above All.”
I was given the task of finishing a four-part study through the book of Colossians. I was told it didn’t matter what I preached, just as long as it was from the fourth chapter. Therefore, I felt led to address “Five Watches” in Colossians 4.
A Room of Lions
Daniel had to face the lions, but nothing like these – these “lions” were college students! Looking out at them made me feel a little bit like red meat. Just imagine hundreds of young, up-and-coming professionals staring at you!
Oh, but it was a blast! I even got to tease my daughter a little, making her think I was going to show one of her “baby in the bathtub” pictures on the big screen behind me 🙂 Instead, I had them put up a picture of Baby (her dog) in the bathtub.
Sometimes it’s just fun being a dad 😉
So, what are you doing with your time?
Filed under Preaching, the future
Resources from SUPER Librarian
My Friend
I have never asked him to tea, but I know he’d accept. We have never gone to a movie together, but I bet he’d go if I suggested a time. We’ve never gone on a road trip, gotten drunk together (before conversion), or vented about things no one else would understand. Nevertheless, I consider Kevin Woodruff to be my friend.
Mr. Woodruff and I at a TTU alumni banquet.
Mr. Woodruff, as I will probably always call him, was the long-time librarian at Tennessee Temple University before it closed its doors last year. Nowadays he gets to call the wonderful library at Bryan College in Dayton, TN his home (he goes somewhere else to sleep, but he lives where the books are). Bryan College, incidentally, is where my daughter, Katie, is a sophomore.
A Walking Resource
When I was attending seminary at Temple, Kevin Woodruff was the go-to man when one needed a book, an article, a journal, or some rare printed artifact needed to complete a paper. Just recently, while visiting Bryan College, I had a few minutes to myself while waiting for Katie to get out of class (we were going to eat lunch together). I went to the library and there was Mr. Woodruff, as expected, clad in his trademark blue pull-over vest.
“Hello, Anthony,” he said with a genuine smile, greeting me by name as he usually does. Small talk ensued, the beautiful library was discussed, and then I shared with him a need I had for information on a particular subject.
As soon as I expressed my need, without even putting on his cape and mask, Mr. Woodruff said, “I think can help you with that, just follow me.” Then off we trekked up a couple flights of stairs, down a long path beside rows and rows of books, till we made a left and came to an abrupt halt. After just a sweep or two with his right index finger he reached up and started pulling down volume upon volume of related texts he thought might prove useful.
My impression was not only that Mr. Woodruff knew where any book for any subject was in that vast repository of knowledge, but he had probably read most of them!
A Virtual Resource
Well, the whole reason I started writing this piece was not to praise Mr. Woodruff, but to share with you what he has compiled for his college. The resources he has brought together in one place is rather mind boggling.
If you are a student of the Bible, such as a teacher or pastor…if you are just someone who wants to dig a little deeper (or as deep as you desire)…what Kevin Woodruff has compiled (and is still updating) will prove invaluable.
Click on logo for a wealth of free Bible study resources.
Click on the Bryan College logo and you will find a link to their “Bible Study Resources” page. This is what Mr. Woodruff has put together for the glory of God.
Should you have any questions having to do with anything biblical, just give Kevin Woodruff a call – I’m sure he’d love to point you in the right direction.
Extra Credit
Mr. Woodruff doesn’t sleep; he indexes.- Mild-mannered librarian by day…mild-mannered librarian by night.
- That’s not a blue sweater vest; that’s a θώραξ of cotton.
- Some people think they know it all, but few do…and Mr. Woodruff taught them.
- The world is full of geniuses, but how many of them actually got an “A” from Kevin Woodruff.
Filed under Bible Study, wisdom
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Choir Girl
Last night I had the rare chance to go hear my own daughter sing at Bryan College. It was wonderful! I wish all of you could have been there, especially to hear “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Powerful!
Now, since Katie has gone to college, she has been busy, busy, busy…even touring with the Bryan College Chorale. On the rare occasion I have had to hear her display the music education she is receiving, all I’ve had to record it with was my iPhone. Last night all I got was a picture with her as she was handing out…what do they call those things?…bulletins? Menus? Billings? Keepsakes?
That has made me sad.
But WAIT!…
Earlier this month Katie and her personal choir (at least that’s the way this daddy sees it) performed at the Northside Presbyterian Church PC(USA). — on a side note, I’m not big on the denomination right now — Fortunately for me, since this was on a Sunday morning and I had other obligations, they did a wonderful job at recording the whole thing!
But before you watch it, let me tell you why I am sharing this (besides being proud of Katie and her backup singers). One of the greatest hymns ever written was penned by Isaac Watts, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Listening to it last night brought me to tears.
The Wondrous Cross
How often do we do that? Survey the cross? How often do we just pause for more than a few moments and measure out the height, depth, length, and breadth of the place where “sorrow and love flow mingled down”? If we did, we would think less of ourselves and more of Him.
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NKJV
So, I hope you enjoy the video of Katie’s choir (incidentally, she is standing all the way to the far right). But after you listen to Isaac Watt’s famous hymn (beginning at the 32:48 mark), ask yourself the question the old man in the movie Do You Believe? asks the preacher: “What are you going to do about it?”
If you will see the cross for what it is, it will make a difference in your life.
(UPDATE: Katie just watched this and said, “We were not ready for that concert. We got our practice time in on the road.” This was their first concert.)
Oh, and “Jesus Paid it All” is awesome, too!
Filed under God, Love of God, music, Parenting, Relationships and Family, worship
A Prayer For My Daughter At College
The Text
Yesterday I got a text from my daughter who attends Bryan College in Dayton, TN. She spoke of how stressed she was, of how little sleep she was getting, and how she misses the simpler life at home.
She sent a picture to me. It was a picture of the back of her left hand. On it was a reminder written with a Sharpie. She said:
“I’m killing myself trying to remember everything. I went to bed with this on my hand. Then I got it on my blue sheets and my face. But at least I made it to class this week.“
Later she wrote:
“My emotions are going haywire…because I am so stressed. Yet, at the same time I don’t feel stresses in some areas…And those are the areas I leave out…”
I responded with:
“I haven’t been praying for you like I should. I’m sorry. But I will.”
The Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the mercies you have shown to my family and me. Thank you for my family, including the opportunities you have given us. In this case, thank you for providing the place and the means for Katie to go to school. Thank you for the opportunity she has at Bryan College.
Now Lord, I have been to school and have gotten my degrees, but I have never walked in my daughter’s shoes (they’d hurt). Her emotions are different. Her dreams are different. Her likes and dislikes are different. But one thing I do know is that she loves you with all her heart and wants to honor you with her success. Please help her to do that.
Lord, I am her earthly father, but you are her “Daddy God,” her “Abba.” You opened the door for her to go to Bryan. You provided the scholarships to pay for the tuition we could not afford. You gave her the gifts to sing and play music. All I did was watch over her and instruct her in Your ways while she was under my roof. Now she is completely in Your hands. Watch over her and grow her into the godly, intelligent woman you want her to be – for Your name’s sake.
Katie is stressed out, but doing her best. She wants to be the model of integrity and honor, but some other students are making it difficult. Give her the strength to stand strong on her principles and counsel her with your Spirit when she’s confused or questioning what to do.
Father, you are the One who gives peace. Your Son is the Prince of Peace. As Katie has willfully taken your yoke upon her, make her burdens light as You pull along side her. Give rest for her soul and mind. Reassure her with the peace that all things work together for the good, to them that love you and are called according to Your purpose.
And dear Lord, help her to keep things straight in her head, or in a datebook, or on her phone, or whatever. Waking up with permanent marker on her face before class can’t be helping with the stress level.
In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
Filed under Faith, Life Lessons, Parenting, Relationships and Family, Struggles and Trials
The Recovering Legalist 