Campus Blogs

Every one of us shall give account of himself to God. —Romans 14:12 I do not quarrel with Karl Marx’s statement that “religion is the opiate of the people.” I never try to defend religion. Religion has spawned wars. Many so-called religious people have been characterized by prejudice, pride, bickering, and even tolerance for slavery. However, I would call you to a simple faith in Jesus, who said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Are you really concerned? Are you disappointed with society? If you are, I challenge you to take the first step. I challenge you to look at yourself. Prayer for the day Forgive me, for so often failing to love my neighbor. May my life speak to others of Your love and compassion, Lord Jesus Christ. By: Billy Graham

The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do . . . —James 3:5 (TLB) There is a story of a woman in England who came to her vicar with a troubled conscience. The vicar knew her to be a habitual gossip—she had maligned nearly everyone in the village. “How can I make amends?” she pleaded. The vicar said, “If you want to make peace with your conscience, take a bag of goose feathers and drop one on the porch of each one you have slandered.” When she had done so, she came back to the vicar and said, “Is that all?” “No,” said the wise old minister, “you must go now and gather up every feather and bring them all back to me.” After a long time the woman returned without a single feather. “The wind has blown them all away,” she said. “My good woman,” said the vicar, “so it is with gossip. Unkind words are easily dropped, but we can never take them back again.” Prayer for the day Might my words about another be ones that are spoken in the spirit of Your loving kindness, Father. By: Billy Graham

Maria Santana [caption id="attachment_129" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Norte Dame Cathedral in Saigon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_130" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Children always waving and saying "Hello"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_131" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Floating Homes where families dedicate their lives to fishing[/caption] It has been a busy week for all of us and it still continues to be. A lot of readings and papers to get done all while trying to absorb everything around us.  Since Thursday evening we have been traveling on just a back pack with a week full of clothes-it's not as bad as it seems honestly. On Thursday we packed up all our stuff and off we were on a 18-hour train ride to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). We made a new friend that night; it didn't talk much, but it loved our trash. Sadly, it was not welcomed by all of us so we had to get rid of the mouse. The view outside our window was incredible- large limestone mountains, rice fields, bright green trees, and a light gray cloudy sky. Saigon is much different than DaNang-modern architecture all around and American corporations at every corner(Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King) it was shocking. Nonetheless, a lot of French influence, many which are mentioned in our readings. Now we are hours outside of Saigon. There are no American corporations, just small shops where families are trying to make a living. These past three days have been a humbling experience. From doing a home stay with traditional southern Vietnamese music, meals, and witnessing hardworking individuals sweat to make a dollar and some cents a day. I am very fortune to be here and these are experiences I will never forget. Vietnamese are extremely smart, selfless, and dedicated humans. I've seen many families make a life out of a floating home and boat. We've seen a lot, learned a lot, and I am still trying to process everything.

By Alex Colvard   These are the names of the 504 innocent Vietnamese villagers that were massacred by American GIs. Whole families were killed on March 3, 1968 when American soldiers were given the order to shoot anything that moved, including elderly people, pregnant women, mothers and fathers and 104 children. This past weekend we visited My Lai, where a museum, memorial, and reconstructed village now lay. The atmosphere of the museum was solemn. Walking up to the steps we were invited to come watch a short documentary about the massacre. Tears built up in my eyes with the images of the dead and the stories of horror from the few that survived. When the film was over a guide led up up steps where we were confronted with this wall. The room was silent as we gazed at the hundreds of names. Our guide told us the significance of this wall, of the innocent people attached to the names. We walked around the museum and listened...  My emotions were everywhere. I was in disbelief that American "heroes" could do such a thing. I tried to imagine what it must have been like. To be awakened early in the morning by screams and gunshots.   Then I tried to put myself in the Charlie Companies' boots. If I was commanded to kill, could I? I'd better just stay far away from any military, because my conscious would be severely compromised. If God commanded me to kill could I? Oh gosh, I do not want to think about this- Abraham had greater faith than I. In the middle of our tour, our guide mentioned one American Helicopter Pilot who was not apart of the Charlie Company, who saw nine innocents running away from the horror at My Lai. ... He did not shoot them... he tried to help them. He was the real American Hero.     After exiting the museum, we walked through the town. There were recreated footprints and boot prints going every which way. The was the ditch where hundreds were thrown in and shot. Everyone was solem.         My Lai is a horrific example of what people can do in war. As we continue to learn about it, the Vietnam War seems to be a war ignorance rather than a war for justice. - Alex            

So when Jesus had received the sour wine he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up the spirit.” - John 19:30 After giving his ministry assignments to John and his mother Mary, Jesus takes the sour wine that has been offered to him on the cross and says, “it is finished.” It’s a powerful word, and in the Greek it’s called tetelestai. This word was used when artists would complete an amazing piece of work; they would say tetelestai. When a slave would come into his master and report that his duties were done for the day, he would say tetelestai. It’s a word that says it is finished, it is complete and here’s what it meant: it’s finished now, it’s finished tomorrow and it’s finished in the future. Wow. When Jesus is using these words guess what he’s making reference to? My sins and your sins. When he dies on the cross on this glorious Friday he says it is finished, it is complete. I’m dying for their sins today, tomorrow and forever. Wow. Tetelestai. Guess what family? God loved you that much, he gave you the ministry of friendship to last today, tomorrow and forever. Why? Because he was our friend as well; he loved us, he was our savior, he died on the cross for us and he took our sins of today and tomorrow and cast them into the no longer. I’m glad for that today. So be encouraged as you press on you give God your very best your all and as you serve one another with a Christ like mentality.