Schooling at Grace has blessed me with a deeper understanding of the Bible and God
Around seven years ago in 2009, I realized there would be a point in my life when my children did not need my care as much as they did when they were little. This saddened me and was also a catalyst for me to discover something worthwhile that I could put my heart and soul into. So, I decided to go back to college.
Although I already had a bachelors degree in journalism, I was not working in the journalism field at the time, and really questioned if there would ever be an opportunity for me to reignite this profession. So, I decided to pursue a degree in Social Work, which I did through Chadron State College via distance learning. In 2011, I had completed all of my basic classes for the degree, and had just been accepted into the professional program at Chadron when God started tugging at me to work for His kingdom.
I felt Social Work was not where he wanted me to be, so I began to search for Christian degree programs that I could complete online from my home. This is when I stumbled onto Grace University in Omaha.
I applied to Grace and was accepted into their Biblical Studies program. I had no idea at this time what I would use this degree for, but I felt at peace with the decision, and devoured every class I took and the Word of God--I couldn’t get enough of the Bible.
Grace had just implemented their online program and did not yet have it set up where a student could earn his or her entire degree online. However, they began working towards this, and were able to implement it at the end of last year.
Slowly, but surely, I continued to work towards finishing my degree, and am proud to say that I graduated this month with two bachelors of science degrees, on in Biblical Studies and one in Ministry Studies, and I am proud to say that I am Grace’s first graduate to have completed my degrees exclusively online.
Although at the time when I started at Grace I had no idea what I would use the degree for, this January it all came into clear focus when God provided the opportunity to run this newspaper! God is good!
So, as my kids were heading back to school, I was just finishing mine. And, although I won’t miss the long hours and long nights of studying and writing papers, I will miss the curriculum and the interaction with the teachers and other students.
I find I am more at peace in my life when I am actively working with the Word of God, than when I am not. It is true the Bible has supernatural power to nourish your soul and to bring you closer to God. Neglecting studying it is like not eating and drinking. Eventually, you will spiritually decay. I am now actively studying God’s Word through other devotionals and books.
Two months in one
As you may have noticed, you are reading a two month combined issue this month because of lack of money to print and mail it. This newspaper, as well as most all other newspapers, depends mainly on advertising dollars to fund their efforts. However, when businesses struggle, one of the first things they cut back on is advertising. It is times like these that God tests me to trust him, and not anxiously question Him, doubt and give up. It is a time of testing for me. Instead of running around like Chicken Little, I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to me through scripture to let go of my fear, and trust
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25
Deep down, I know God is there, He is in control, this newspaper is His, and He will provide, if only I would loosen the death grip I have on my perception that it is solely “my” responsibility to make this paper a success, and let Him lead.
Oh how we underestimate the power of our Holy God! His awesomeness is beyond our comprehension, and yet we continue to arrogantly believe that somehow God needs our feeble efforts to help Him accomplish His will! How disrespectful this is to our Lord!
When I let go of my fear and anxiety and put my faith and trust in God, I feel peace, and things always work out. However, for now, this is taking consistent effort on my part. Daily, I must keep my eyes on Jesus, just as Peter did when he walked to our Lord on the water, because when my eyes begin to stray, I begin to drown like Peter.
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” Matthew 14:29-31
I ask for your continued prayers for this publication and its mission to proclaim Christ, to unite Nebraska Christians and to be a tool that God uses to strengthen and enhance his Kingdom. I also ask that you pray for me that I quit holding on to my own feeble abilities and let go and let God take charge.
God bless you for supporting The Nebraska Living Times.