What kind of advice does a fourth year student give a first year student?  It probably has to do with putting your nose to the grind stone, or some motivational premise for studying.  Well, before I share my brilliant thoughts, let’s think together.  Why are we at Bible College?  Think about that for a moment and then read on.  ‘To academically learn and grow in Christ to help us with our future goals.’  That general answer is one that would suffice for most of us attending Emmanuel, minus the exceptions of those who are either forced to attend or have no idea what they are doing here.  Ok, why do we want to learn and grow to help us in our future?
  If we keep asking the question of why, we will come to one conclusion.  I believe, though some of us may not know, that we are all here for the purpose of glorifying God and enjoying a growing relationship with Him, regardless of our goals in attending EBC.  That is, in fact, the very reason for life on this earth: To glorify God and enjoy a relationship with Him.  Great.  So now that we know why we are here at Emmanuel, (pardon my forcing your purpose on you) the advice I wish to give you will make a whole lot more sense. 
 Surrender and be willing to change. That is my practical advice.  Surrender to God, and be willing in your heart to change.  We can all go through life saying we are Christians but if we are not changed by the fact that Christ’s spirit is working and moving among us, how then can we call ourselves sons and daughters of the living God?  Simply knowing that Christ died and rose again is not enough for even the demons know that and shudder.  God knows his sheep because his sheep know his voice- through surrender and the willingness to change.
 You ask me, ‘how does that look practically?’ I say, learn it yourself by surrendering and being willing to change.  He will transform you and instruct you in the way you should go even when you feel like you have no idea how to relate to God. The beautiful thing in all of this is that it is not up to us to change ourselves, it is all God. 
 One must be careful however, to not think that we are saved by our works, or that doing anything will change the way God feels about us.  No, salvation is by God’s grace alone and His unconditional love means we can do nothing to make Him love us more or less.  We therefore must never feel guilty if we think we are not ‘doing enough’.  We have to realize that devotion and service come from God’s power within us so that it is not of our own strength.  In loving obedience we pursue Him, not out of guilty obligation because we are forgiven people.
 As you surrender you will begin to realize that you are becoming like Christ and wonder how God does it.  You will realize that he pushes you to higher heights and that the things of the world fade away, and that his heart becomes yours and his wisdom becomes yours.  You will live in peace, joy, and constant fulfillment no matter what comes your way.  Life makes sense, spiritual disciples will be fruitful and enjoyable, and God is glorified through you- in which there is no greater fulfillment.
 Thus, my advice to those first years starting your career at Emmanuel:  Do your studies diligently, enjoy fellowship, and learn much.  But first, remember your purpose for life and that we are to love the Lord.  In other words surrender and be willing to change, God will do the rest.
 
Blessings of maturity in Him,
         
Your Student Body President,
Brandon Meyers

Tim Grace
     We’re in it now. It is a season of bliss for some and of agony for others. Yes, it’s election time in Canada. We’re being inundated with signs, advertisements, radio ads, and all things political in order to try and make us decide which party is made to lead this country. 

     On October 14^th, Canadians will vote, the winner will be announced, and the next day we’ll continue to complaining about the government, as if it is second nature or a basic human right. But there’s a problem that seems to be making its way throughout our generation in recent years. We just don’t care. The fate of our nation is being decided by an increasingly smaller percentage of the population (approx 64% of eligible voters went to the polls in the 2006 election) while the remaining percentage sit idly by and just wait for the campaign signs to disappear so the street can look pretty again. The argument is that one vote doesn’t matter. Before you come to that conclusion, consider the following. Are you willing to sit back while a government that does not care for student issues is elected? Are you willing to let in a leader that does not see the need to get involved in the areas of the world that can truly use our help?Are you willing to allow other demographics to represent your voice? I’m not saying that one party is better than the other – do your research and decide that for yourselfI heard a statement recently that went along the lines of “If you don’t vote, then don’t complain.” I like it. It tells me that if I do not take the initiative to try and effect change in our government, then my voice is taken out of the picture and the government has no reason to listen to me. Some may say that one vote will not make a difference. It is only one vote, but it is your voice in this nation, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned so far in life it’s that when given the opportunity to speak, take it, because there may not be another chance. For more information on the election, visit www.elections.ca 

Three ways to vote:

In person on October 14^th

At advanced polls – Oct 3^rd, 4^th, 6^th.

By Special Ballot – Very useful for students who will not be able to make it home for advanced polls or Election Day.

Go

To Move

Still Proceeding Forward

Marching onward, making progress

Continuing on toward the goal

by Heather Marion

Where are you Friend
As I wander the streets
So lost, so cold
But nowhere to sleep

Where are you Friend
In the building so tall
Making lots of money
But where should it go

Where are you Friend
In the hallways so long
Hundreds of people
But no one for me

Where are you Friend
In the gutters I live
Too high to move
But pain I have still

Where are you Friend
In the villages far away
Seeking stories anew
But for a future I still look

Where are you Friend
As I’m broken and beaten
With a baby just born
One mistake ne’er forgotten

Where are you Friend
In such a busy world
When I feel so lost
But hope I’ve not found

Where are you Friend
When all I seek
Is love to reach
From you to me
Where are you Friend
As I keep looking
But still not finding
The one I need

Where are you Friend
To go where I am
Every corner I live in
Shine only the light

Where are you Friend
As I wait for you
Why won’t you come
And say I love you

Where are you Friend
As I seek your face
Wherever I go
And where I’ve been

Where are you Friend
As I dig my hole
Ever deeper I go
Till find me you can’t

Where are you Friend
As the walls close in
Time is running out
The clock slows down

Where are you Friend
Will you answer my call
To find and to tell me
You’ve loved me so long

Where are you Friend
As the list moves past
One name still missing
One person forgot
Where are you Friend
Who will you leave
And who will you save
The path e’er uncertain

Where are you Friend
So many waiting to hear
For your voice say
I’ll be you friend

Where are you Friend
As I continue to seek
Still calling your name
But no answer I hear

Where are you Friend
As I sit and wait
My hole now dug
And in it I lay

Where are you Friend
As time moves on
Not much is left
For you to find

Where are you Friend
To the lost, lonely and afraid
The children, the adults
All just the same

Where are you Friend
As each calls out
Seeking, not finding
Their one true friend

Where are you Friend
As I wait to hear
That finally you’ve answered
And find me you will

Where are you Friend
As I look for you
No longer so lonely
No longer so lost

Where are you Friend
As I see the love
The one simple word
That provides all the answers

Where are you Friend
For I know your name
And finally I see you
And trust you the same

Where are you Friend
For the message you bring
Allows me to see
There’s hope for my life

Where are you Friend
Oh wait I seek not
For found Him I did
Since you came and spoke

My Friend I thank you
Cause answer you did
And bring the message I needed
To hear and to see

As friends we’re now joined
Cause others still need
To hear the message
That we now bring

Together we can go
Or separate we can
Depends on our calling
And where we are sent

WESLEY HAGUE

FULL NAME: Wesley Peter Chalmer Hague

STUDENT COUNCIL POSITION: Editor of Student Publications

HOMETOWN: Alliston, ON
CURRENTLY RESIDES: Warder Room 3, EBC
HOME CHURCH: Alliston C&MA
FAMILY: Mom: Margaret, Dad: Tom, Brothers: Ian and Aaron
PETS: Clover the Dog
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Banting Memorial High school, MCSE (2000), A+ Certified, CCNA, 4 Years of a 4 year program at EBC that will take me 5 year to complete.

FAVOURITE BOOK AND WHY: Changes Quite regularly – Easier to say Favourite Author right now which would be Terry Brooks, he is a steady writer that has produced a couple good series, that are all worth reading.

FAVOURITE FOOD: “Chocolate – My weakness”
FAVOURITE BIBLE VERSE: Phil 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON AND WHY: Hard to put just one person here, so many people have aided me right now. The biggest influence on my life right now is Bev Ranson. She runs the

MOST INFLUENTIAL BIBLICAL HERO: David – He was skilled and capable at what he did, but at the same time he was real. His emotions, his frustration, his failings and his successes are all so truly human. Yet even in his worst moments, it was God he cried out to.
MOST INFLUENTIAL CHARACTER IN FICTION: Might be a Childish Character but Naruto -  he is constantly viewed as the underdog, yet despite being somewhat foolish, when he gets serious he continually proves people, and on top of that, despite not having a lot of natural talent compared to some, he more than makes up for it through an immense amount of self discipline and training, not giving up.
DREAM VACATION: Starting in England I would want to tour across all of Europe and

IF YOU COULD CHANGE PLACES WITH ANYONE FOR A DAY AT EBC-WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY: Jason Edgar or Jeff Hopkins – I really would like to experience what I was like being an extrovert for a day.
A QUOTE FOR THE MASSES: “I have no clue what you are talking about … So here’s a bunny with a pancake on its head.”

NAME YOU WISH YOU WERE GIVEN: I like my current name, it’s not all that common, and it’s the last name of a rather famous person. Interestingly enough my best friends name is John.

BLOOD TYPE: O RH POS – I give blood somewhat regularly, if you’re interested in doing something like that, come and ask me about it.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO DIE? In my sleep hopefully, failing that, something really, really quick.
EMBARRASSING STORY: Well, of the embarrassing stories in my life, I am not going to publish most of them on the Internet, because it would be embarrassing. But I did manage to break my wrist falling out of a bed.
SUPER-SHORT TESTIMONY: Grade 11, heard cousin talking about his testimony of having everything yet not being satisfied. Being in a position that I envied him for the natural skill he had, his testimony stuck with me. I realized that like him at the point of his conversion that I was missing the same thing he was missing.

HOW HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED GOD THIS YEAR: God taught me a lot of stuff this summer, and has been quite regularly teaching me patience.

Mon. Sept. 8 2008

What is the NT and how did we get it?
An intro to the text of the NT

Composition
Intro
Written by Jewish ppl
not written all at once
not all same genre
not history but theology

For the love of Alphaghetti, I have too much to think about to pay attention to this.

written between 50 AD and 100 AD
written separately
NT writers not always aware they were producing scripture

I feel pulled in every direction all at once like silly putty or spaghetti, or maybe like a gummi bear left in a hot car being fought over by two year old twin boys with sticky hands. Yeah. that works.

Luke 1:3 – carefully investigated everything, it seemed good to write an orderly account, etc.

God, what’s the deal. I’m praying and it feels like its bouncing around the ceiling and swirling around the light fixtures. I miss talking to you God, or maybe I miss feeling like you’re talking back to me. I’ve been revolutionary so long it feels old and stale and I don’t know how to make it feel real again God; are you listening? Silly question, I know you’re listening, but are you planning on answering me any time soon? Or maybe you already are, I’m just too foggy to see it. Maybe I’m not doing this right.
*sigh* I wish I wasn’t so cynical, I’ve been in this thing too long. I want to fall for you again God, harder than the first time, can I do that?

Assigned reading: Matt. 1-11, Textbook pg. 17-18 ch. 1-2

I want to love you God,
“A Thought”

During the reading week of the winter semester (February 22-February 28, 2009) we will hold our annual inner-city missions trip working with the Center for Student Mission.  This year we are going to New York City.  The purpose of the week is to allow students to experience life in the inner city and to participate, first-hand, in practical demonstrations of ministry to broken, hurting people. We spend the first full day on a prayer tour of New York City, being challenged about various issues and problems as well as joining in fervent prayer for what we are seeing and experiencing. Many of our students feel heartbroken as we face the realities of the inner city. Over the next few days, students volunteer at various missions and ministries preparing meals, sorting used clothing, packing food hampers, working at the food bank, meeting people in shelters and drop-in centers, eating in various ethnic restaurants and much more. Students learn what it means to be servants, to love those who need it most, and to grieve for a hurting, broken world. We return changed and deeply impressed by the many “street saints” we met who show in so many ways, the love of God in the heart of the city. The cost for the trip is $520 which includes travel, accommodation, and meals (except travelling meals on Feb. 22 and Feb. 28).  You will need to have a current passport.  Space is limited, so submit your form as soon as possible.  The $75 non-refundable deposit will hold your place.
Forms are available from the EBC website, the front desk in admissions building, or from Janet Collins.
If you have any questions about this exciting adventure, please contact: Janet Collins.

AMAZING RACE

FEAR FACTOR SNACKS

ROYAL CUP SOCCER GAME

From the Editors Desk

            Welcome to the new year. Another beginning for all of us. For some of you who are new, this is your first year here at Emmanuel, for others such as myself this is yet another year. Yet for all of us, whether new or returning students it is new for all of us. A new school year, new classes, new teachers, new places to live and most of all new people to meet and interact with. As the Editor I would like to wish you all a good year. That you would all be able to learn and grow from this year, that your classes are beneficial to you, that the friendships you develop here will be an investment for the rest of your life. It is my genuine wish and prayer that this year be a blessing to you all.

God Bless

Wesley Hague, Editor

In This Issue

Main Page:
Mega Weekend: Wesley Hague
MTF Comittee: Janice Anderson

A Message from the President:
What Advice Would You Give the First Years?

Creative Corner:
Go: Wesley Hague
WHERE ARE YOU FRIEND?: Heather Marion
Between the Lines: A Thought

Global Perspective:
New York City Mission Trip: Janet Collins

Opinions and Editorials:
Apathy, Thou Art Canadian: Tim Grace

Photo Gallery:
Mega Weekend

Spotlight on SLT:
Wesley Hague: Editor of Student Publications

Voice on the Street:
What is one thing you are looking forward to this year?