Principal parts got you down? Hebrew vocabulary giving you a headache? Just can’t seem to get that paradigm verb straight? Is philosophy and public speaking just too much work to handle?

We’ve all done it. It was just yesterday when you were sitting at lunch with some friends. A teacher or DCE to your left made a comment about her Interp. class and you and a pre-sem buddy launched into a tirade of complaints about how hard Greek and Hebrew are, clearly proving your oppression and effectively eliminating a fellow churchworker from the conversation.

Sorry, I don’t have the cure, but then again, maybe I can offer some assistance. It’s simple. STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT IT! Sure language classes can be difficult, but then again no one said the training for a pastor was going to be easy. If you think so, maybe you should reconsider your preparation. And sure, maybe we have to work hard, but that does not give us any right to complain to each other and to everyone else on campus that our lives are so much more oppressive than their lives are.

Complaining is clearly harmful. First, when we are vocally negative about our studies to each other, it only encourages others to be dissatisfied with their position and discourages them from working. Not only does it discourage your brother, but yourself as well. Secondly, the campus is tired of hearing us. Education students student-teach throughout their schooling, but I don’t hear them whining. It’s not like what we do is anything harder than anyone else. Thirdly, and possibly the most alarming effect of our vocal protest, is the example it sets for other students who are considering God’s vocation for their life. To describe the pre-sem courses with a string of grievances is a push in the wrong direction for an undecided student.

Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” That’s my challenge. The next time you’ve got the urge to blow off some steam about your translation, thank God for your situation and tell someone that it’s your choice and you’re learning a lot.

My pastor spoke about Labor Day and gave these words of encouragement:

“Be grateful, for grateful people tend to see more blessings,

And because they notice more blessings, they are more positive about their life.

And because they are more positive about their life, they are more optimistic.

And because they are optimistic, they tend to be more courageous.

And because they tend to be more courageous, they tend to accomplish more.

And because they accomplish more, they see more blessings.”

Submitted by Nate Peregoy

Have a Rest

I have things I should be doing right now. The odds are pretty high that you have something you need to be doing as well. You probably don’t even have time to be reading this because you are so busy at this point in the semester. With so many things to do it’s easy to lose focus. I know that I do. After a long day I come up short. I’ve used all my energy and my list of things to do seems to be growing. I’m tired and cranky, and I would just like to go to bed. In the course of my day, personal time God and His word get lost in a sea of homework and disheveled priorities. At the end of the day I realize that I did not begin my day with Him because I slept past my alarm and was in a rush. In retrospect, I see free time during the day that could’ve been used to touch base with the God who formed my inmost being and knows my every need, but I didn’t. Like I said, disheveled priorities. As soon as I wake up I have a thirst, but I neglect it. By the time I settle down for the night that thirst is parching, yet most nights I continue to neglect it. I’m thirsty, and homework isn’t quenching my thirst. Playing my guitar is no longer as therapeutic as it used to be. The temporal things just aren’t cutting it anymore. Actually they never did. I’m parched, my soul is empty, and my heart is so dry it is cracked. Where do I go?

“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (Jn. 7:37). That’s a pretty straightforward answer to my question.

We often neglect our spiritual health, but our personal time we spend with God is a key component to our day. Jesus still calls out with a loud voice because oftentimes we are so busy with our work that we can’t hear anyone else over our own noise. He says to me every day, “Josh, I know you are thirsty, and you can’t fill yourself up and heal the aching heart. But I can. Come to me and quench your thirst.” Jesus can give us that living water which doesn’t dry up. The living water of His word won’t evaporate under the pressure of the day or the heat of the sun. It’s something that lasts, no matter what. Christ’s invitation is also something that lasts. He holds it out to us everyday, each time we fall, every moment that we try to find our own well from within ourselves. He’s calling out in a loud voice right now, and He’s calling your name. When was the last time you answered.

Take some time today, taste the living water that only Christ can give, and I can guarantee that you’ll come back for more. He can fill your soul and quench your thirst. He can renew your strength for your journey each day. There is nothing on this earth that can do all that, so take him up on his offer. He’s good to the last drop. “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” - Psalm 34:8

Submitted by Josh Sullivan

News and Notes

· Coming up today (Tuesday), Rev. Gierke will be talking about an important vision about the kind of individual that
District President's look for in the placement of Seminary candidates in a
congregation in their district. Meet in TLEC 111 at 7:30 p.m.

· If you have any questions about the Pre-Sem Club or program contact either: Pres. Ryan Oakes, 8676; V. Pres. Chris Ahlman, 8519; Sec./Treas. Josh Sullivan, 8544; Editor, Michael Hanel, 8633; or Sponsor, Prof. Block, 7442.

· The next meeting is Wed.. Oct. 10 at 9pm in the Pre-Sem Room, Founders 203. If you haven’t caught on, our meetings are weekly on Wed. nights. These one-hour meetings usually consist of free pop and cookies, a speaker or Bible study, and prayer. If you, or someone you

know, would like to lead one of our weekly meetings, please contact Ryan Oakes or Chris Ahlman.

· If you know someone who did not get a copy of Syndouloi, but would like one, please send a note to the Editor or call him. One need not be in the Pre-Sem program to participate in or just watch this exchange of ideas.

Mission Impossible?

(see Jonah 4:5-11)

Life has been busy and once again I remember that as the past few weeks have gone by I have spent more than my fair share of time wondering how I could end each day even though I hadn’t completed all the work that I wanted to get done.

Maybe you’re not quite like me. Maybe you get everything accomplished that you set out to do. If so, that’s fantastic! But if not, I think I have a few words of encouragement for you.

This weekend I gave a short devotion over this text and I think there is a lot of Law and Gospel in it that can speak to us as well.

Everyone knows the story of Jonah and the big fish, but most people stop at that point in the story.

Jonah goes and preaches to the people of Nineveh and they repent and all is well. At least that’s the happy part of the story.

Then Jonah leaves the city, angry with God because he had compassion on the wicked people in Nineveh. Jonah is upset because God is patient and slow to anger.

The story continues and Jonah sits under a shelter he made to relieve himself from the heat of the day.

Then God provided a vine to give Jonah even more shade.

Then God provided a worm that chewed up the vine to which Jonah had become so attached.

Then God provided a scorching wind and a blazing sun.

Jonah became even more upset. But in the story is a lesson: God provides all things.

Take some time out of your schedule to give thanks for the many things that God has given you.

Then imagine that those things were taken away. Would you be angry at God just like Jonah was? If you are honest, you probably would feel a little anger toward God, but keep reading the story to the very end of the book of Jonah and you’ll see what the story was all about.

The Challenge

Have a Rest

News and Notes

Mission Impossible?