Taking time to pray and reflect is a helpful practice in your journey of faith. You'll find some thoughts from our staff and students after the links listed below:
Daily Devotions
You can visit the following links for daily devotions.
Thought for October 2009
In my back yard, there are two huge boughs dangling from the biggest tree, victims of the snow last weekend. The snow on the leaves simply weighed too much, and the tree couldn't stand it. The wood twisted and broke.
It is sad to see the once strong limbs drooping toward the ground (we're waiting for our visit from the tree removal guys). I am sorry to have lost so much shade, lost a great place for the sunflower seed feeder, and lost a beautiful tree. Our yard will be less green and lush next summer, and now the leaves are withering instead of coloring for fall. But, I also know that we can't expect trees to
live forever. They simply can't keep growing indefinitely. Much as I hate to admit it, this is part of the normal life cycle of my back yard.
Change and loss are not my favorites, but they are part of our lives. And on the first sunny day after the snow broke my tree, I realized that there was more blue sky now when I looked out the window. I guess it's time for something different. May the losses and changes in your life bring blessings along with them, something to help ease the pain of loss. -- For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven . (Ecclesisastes 3:1)
Alicia Anderson, Campus Minister
Thought for September 2009
People of faith on Campus
Can you spot people of faith on campus? Is there something different about the way a follower of Jesus goes through the day, shares housing with roommates, deals with assignments, classmates and teachers, interacts with strangers, or manages the demands and joys of university life?
While the media offers plenty of caricatures of Christians behaving in hurtful, self-righteous and hypocritical ways, those images are not a fair reflection of the faith most of us profess and try to live.
Most Christians are quietly living faithful lives. Trying to make choices about what to do in easy situations, in difficult situations, and everything between. Making mistakes, oversights, and bad choices. Trying to stay aware of God’s love and forgiveness . . . Even in the midst of failings.
The choices we make reflect our priorities, our values, our faith. Our actions are not how we save ourselves; that was already done by Jesus in his death and resurrection. Our actions are how we are part of bringing the reign of God close today—bringing God’s love and will into the brokenness of human lives and the world.
What we do matters. Our choices can make God rejoice. Our choices can help do God’s work in the world.
“ Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in Heaven.” - Lutheran Book of Worship, Service of Baptism
Alicia Anderson, Campus Minister
Thought for August 2009
I spent some time in the midwest earlier this month. Now, Illinois and Iowa are not exotic or spectacular destinations for the most part, but I was so glad to be there. I grew up in Illinois and studied in Iowa as an undergraduate and in seminary, as well. I find something deeply refreshing in the climate, the geography and the community in the places my family visited this month. Plus, the memories and personal history of those places make it meaningful for me. It is part of who I am. As August begins and our thoughts start to turn to the fall and the academic year, take some time to enjoy places that are part of your history. Consider how the places, experiences and people of your past have shaped you and touched your life. Notice the ways the things you have done and experienced have made you the person you are. Tell God what you are grateful for. Go ahead and tell God what you would rather not have done or experienced. And ask God to bless you and accompany you in the coming year, with all the upcoming pieces of history it will bring!
Alicia Anderson, Campus Minister with Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State
Daily Devotions
You can visit the following links for daily devotions.
6 September 2009