DAY 141: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013 Rodney: This has been a day with so much personal satisfaction that it would be really hard to explain. My first class was a later one so I started with chapel which was the final cell group meeting of the semester. Today we discussed accountability of stewardship. We talked about how God will hold us accountable for the use of our money, time, talents, etc. We will account to Him for all of them. Each student was encouraged, for the next six months, to keep a journal of time spent, money spent, family time, entertainment time, etc. I told them that they would be surprised how each of these would fall out. Then I told them to use that accounting to make whatever alterations necessary to make these more useful to God. I love how receptive they are to ideas. In Greek 1, we completed our final exercise in Lesson 13 and can now focus on review for the final exam. I also told them that I would be providing them with some helpful hints on translating for the future. My Ephesians class warmed my soul. At the beginning of the class Corina, my student from Georgia, brought me two bottles of Steri Stumpie. SS is a low fat chocolate drink that is her absolute forever favorite. She wanted us to taste it before going back. I began class by reporting that I had five extra copies of a book that consists of the NIV translation on one side and the Greek text on the other. I announced that I would be giving those books away to the five students receiving the highest grades in the class. Applause. Then I began my final lecture and actually completed it with a summary and review that consisted of four points: (1) The gospel is a life-transforming message. (2) What you believe is extremely important. (3) The church is extremely important to God. (4) Relationships in the church are extremely important to God. I then ended the series of lectures by quoting from 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” After completing the lecture, I opened the floor for questions. I waited and waited and waited---nothing. No one even raised an eyebrow. Angela broke the silence by asking how I decided to lecture on Ephesians. I explained that each year a book of the Bible is selected for focal study. This was the year of Ephesians, and the seminary asked me if I could provide the lectures. Then she stated that it had been one of the most meaningful studies she had ever experienced. She shared how it had changed her life and how she hoped to use it in her ministry. Vanessa also voiced that she had really enjoyed the lectures and that they had made her think carefully about her ministry and her responsibilities to the church and its members. I shared some thoughts with them and asked once more if there were any questions. Silence. I said, “I’m flabbergasted.” Yes, they knew what it means. At which time Joey spoke up and said, “Doc, perhaps it just means that you are a good lecturer.” As the class was about to be dismissed, I announced that I had two extra copies of the Greek workbooks that I would give away to the first two students who came to my office and requested them. I then dismissed the class and began to collect my book of lectures, Bible, etc. Eric came up and picked up my keys and the two bottles of Steri Stumpie and started to walk with me. I told him not to take my SS, but he said he wanted to help me since I had so much to carry. As we walked down the hall, he confessed that he wanted one of the workbooks. I laughed that he had worked out a way to get one. So we walked to the office and there at the door stood Cany Kabongo. He wanted the other one. So I gave them the books and they walked away smiling. During my break between classes I went to the bank to (duh!) do some banking. I had forgotten to get my lunch and so felt a little hungry. Teatime consisted of slices of pizza, and I didn’t eat but one piece, but even though I was hungry, I put off eating until I got home. Patty and I purchased a golf shirt each that has the seminary logo on them. We thought they would be a nice addition to our shirt wardrobe. When I paid for them, Coleen gave us two beautiful scarves with the seminary logo also. She said they were a gift from the seminary. I had put the set of borrowed golf clubs in the trunk of the car yesterday, so before I left, I took them to my office so that I could return them to Johann. I then left and returned home to find Patty watching television. She had spent the day being lazy and coloring her hair. That is an all day job. But she made chicken wraps for supper, and we ate bountifully. Still no dessert. That has been our main eating problem. Here there are not as many sweets as we have at home, and what they do have is not nearly as sweet. But I can assure you that a Snickers bar will help, but it is not Mom’s apple pie with Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream on it. We are kind of vegging for the night. I think Patty is going with me to the seminary tomorrow even though she had not planned to do so. Actually some of the students and faculty have been asking where she was, so she will go and let them know she is still around. The day was wonderful, exciting, and fulfilling. I appreciated the wonderful words of my students and their most sincere prayers of thanksgiving for the work that I had performed. This is an experience that will forever be emblazoned in my mind. So, until tomorrow . . . .
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:20:46 +0000