There once was a girl named Emmalee Grove
To Emmanuel Bible College she once drove
There she lived and took her classes
And received homework by the masses
Often Emmalee wanted to use the Internet
But her computer just would not, could not connect
Emmalee was sad for she had a Mac
A Mac, that now she wanted to whack
While trying to fix the problem Emmalee made it worse
Which made sense for she was merely an aspiring nurse
Emmalee’s computer is now extremely messy
And she really Really needs help from the “Techie”

Emmalee Grove

The theological significance of gen. 1

Genesis is foundational/ God is transcendent, sovereign ruler of earth

Is this what a crisis of faith feels like?

the surrounding gods are null and void (not their names ;))
God has a special interest in humanity

God, I want to feel you, but I’m beginning to doubt if that’s even possible, I mean, maybe its just a case of the power of suggestion and was never real at all. How much can be proven or explained? I know all the Sunday school arguments; creation vs. evolution, why bad things happen to good people, etc. but I don’t feel it, and I haven’t for a long time, its almost like I’m numb to God or something. Yet I’m still trying to talk to Him even now, go figure. Is that God? or is it conditioning? I totally can’t express this right, this is really frustrating.

My ear yet heard, so sees my heart.
My eye has seen ever about
the gossamer threads snap apart
heart ne’er saw eye and I still doubt.
The inch I crawl dragged from my hands.
Evil or me, who shall I blame?
In God I trust. The falling sand
shall have its prize. Who wins the game?

I fight myself, I hope in ‘no’.
Enough; yet where else would I go?

I guess that’s what it comes down to: no matter how many doubts attack me there’s still nothing better out there, so I pray God will fix this, cause where else could I possibly go?

Assigned Reading: Pg. 87: 1,5,7,9 Pg. 99: 1,2,3

Find me God,
A Thought

October 1, 2008

*** Please open in a word of prayer.

Today’s Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

I love looking for mentors.  In fact, mentorship is something that I value very much.  Now, we can get into a theological debate about mentorship.  We can challenge its definition.  We can debate about discipleship and person development and so on.  But the bottom line is that it is good to have examples to look at and to follow.  Being a Bible College student, I am sure that we are almost all on the same page and being called to leadership; and if not that, at least some form of ministry.

One person that I think it would be cool to look at is Joshua.  The funny part about this devotion is that if you have taken the Interpretation and Application of the Biblical Text class, you will find that this devotion might seem familiar…

What we have in our passage here is God raising/appointing a leader – Joshua.  God is clear about it and what He wants Josh to do.

Like Joshua, we too are leaders of a group, or groups of people, or at least find ourselves put in leadership roles.  Mind you we are not founding a nation.  Nor are we the “official ruler” of a nation, and we don’t live under the old covenant like Joshua… BUT….

There are three key principles we can draw from this text:

1.    To be effective leaders, we need to rely on God’s strength.
2.    We need to trust that God will help us to do our tasks.  Some of those tasks are scary, hard, or difficult.  Some may seem impossible, but be strong and courageous the Word says; and to trust in Him.
3.    We need to be obedient to God’s word

All this is fine and dandy.  But how do we do this?  How do we become better leaders?  It’s simple really.

•    Practise
•    prayer/meditation
•    obedience
•    Take intentional time for growth

Take some time and process all of that…  It is important to realize that God believes (to a point) in you.  That’s why he has placed you in leadership.  He believes that you can do the job (clearly by His strength).  The question is, do you believe Him?  Do you believe that you can do it?  Do you really believe that God will make it work?

Jason Edgar

Limehouse Conservation Area

Cheltenham Badlands

It’s official, we have been here for over a month. This month Voice on the Street decided to ask you the people, who had the messiest room on your floor. Here’s what you said…

James Fretz - “Who has the messiest room? I do for sure.”

Stephanie Vincent – Julie-Anne, over at Wideman.”

Curtis Robb - “messiest room eh, I’m not too sure.”
Joas Swartzentruber - “Hey remember that guy at the end of the hall.”
Curtis Robb - “Oh ya, I guess its Conestoga Dan.”

Matt Gates - “Dan Heines, it flows into his roommates half doesn’t it?”

Dan Wallace - “Probably the last room on the left, Dan Heines from Conestoga.”

Dan Heines - “Me. No! My roommate Matt V.”

The room of Dan Heines, and Matt V… Dan’s half.

Matthew Vandervoet

What does it mean to be concerned about social life?  Does it mean, making sure you are out in the world doing things and not staying home?  Does it mean, being active in living your life?  Or, does it mean something more then just that?

I want those who are reading this to understand that if we are going to talk about social concerns we need to look at what it is.  Every human being lives two lives.  No, I am not speaking of some strange theology, just hear me out.  The first life is that of ourselves, how we live, how we treat our bodies and how we view ourselves.  The second life is the communal life, how we live with others, and how we treat and deal with everyone else.

We are Bible College students, alumni, staff and faculty, who are living in world that comes with being on campus or off, where it is separate from the world outside.  Now some will say that this is not the case but I digress.  We are focussed on homework, classes, projects, chapel, meals, studying, and dealing with one another in one place.  You don’t need to leave the campus to find social experiences because you live with a social group.

As a commuter I have had the chance as many others to live in both the college “bubble,” and the outside world.  What I can tell you is that it is challenging to balance the two.  One day I am at the school doing the college thing, the next I am at work making sure I do what is needed there.  I work with the organization, Ray of Hope, at the Oasis Drop-in Centre, and have been a part for three years.  I have done everything from cleaning floors, to dealing with those in harsh situations, to just being with those who so many have rejected.  How we treat ourselves and how we treat others.  Two separate worlds.

So what is there to do?  We are called to live full lives to the full by Christ, and I have learned that when Christ talks about those around us, he means everyone, good or bad.  Many of the hardest things to do are noted by Christ as important.

In Matthew 5:43-6:4, we see Christ speaking about loving our enemies, and giving to the poor and in need, which is no small task and very difficult.  We are not to see it as something to march around saying I am great because of what I do, but live as though what I do is a part of who I am in Christ.  In Mark 12:29-33, Christ speaks about our double life that we are to love God with everything, and then love others as ourselves.  The two lives are one.  John 13:12-17, is a look at why Christ washed his disciple’s feet, a look at the servant’s heart.  Lastly is Matthew 25:31-46, when from the great throne, people are seen through the actions they have made in the world they know.

I share all this because I am passionate that we are not to live life just to become better, or smarter or greater, because all of that is nothing compared to the love you show your friends and family but even farther, to those in need and those who you deem enemies in this world.  We are given a huge task of loving others, are you up to stepping to the plate?

What I am asking for is that we step out of our comfort zones, we get out of the idea that we need to live safe by cutting the world out, and that we have been called to serve those we have been raised to be cautious of.  There are dangers in the world, and nothing is able to be 100% safe, but if we don’t step out of our comfort zones we cannot grow.

Be active this semester, and when you see opportunities to grow, or learn take them.  There are many chances to experience the world outside of EBC that are able to help you experience living a full life, and still be with those you can trust.  Have ideas or questions? Make sure that you contact our Social Concern’s Coordinator, Matt Winger.  I am just one voice in a sea of many, and I leave you with this.
A flower breaks from its safe seed and grows to break the ground into the harsh world, but is ready from the growth below the ground.  As you live as a college student and so on, take in what is being taught, know what is being shared with you, and take steps to serve and love as Christ loves.  So that when you leave this place, into the harsh world, you can stand as a true light in this darkened world.

Mark Dakin

From the Editors Desk:

Welcome. The third week is now done.  We are already one quarter of the way into the first semester of school. Has the initial rush of meeting new people run out yet, or are we still able to maintain the level of excitement that existed at the beginning of the year?  What about the work load; is it what you expected or are we starting to feel the stress of the work starting to pile up?
What has stood out so far this year?  Is there something that has happened that made you laugh until you cried, or an experience that was so powerful that you knew for a fact that God was present right there and then?  Could there have been something that a teacher said in any of your classes that spoke loud and strong to you; maybe a phrase or a passage in the Bible or in one of your text books?  I simply challenge you to submit it to The Voice, to let someone else also be enriched or amazed at the incredible experiences that happen here at EBC.

God Bless
Wesley Hague

In This Issue

Main Page:
Be Thankful: Wesley Hague
Leadership Retreat at Redeemer: Wesley Hague
Blue Jays Game: Christie Heemskerk
The Hike: Wesley Hague

Devotional:
EBC Devotional: Jason Edgar

Creative Corner:
Inside the Church: Wesley Hague
Tech Help: Emmalee Grove
Between the Lines: A Thought

Photo Gallery:
Hiking Trip

Social Concerns
Social Concern: Mark Dakin

Voice on the Street:
Who has the messiest Room?

In light of the Chapels we had last week, especially learning some of the history of our college. I was given the chance to look through some student handbooks of previous years. As I read through them, I was shocked to realize just how far we have come. While some of us might complain about how strict our rules are, the only thing I can now say in response is: be thankful we live in now, and not then.

To demonstrate this, I will show a couple examples of the rules that exist now and compare them to the rules that existed in the past.

Note: (1975-) is before 1975, and (1975+) is after 1975

Curfew

(2008) Resident students have a curfew of 3:30 am. Students must be on campus at that time.
(1975) Monday through Thursday students must be studying in the Dormitory or Library between 7:30 and 9:30 pm, and in their own rooms by 11:00 pm. Weekends these hours are advanced to 11:00 and 12:00 pm

Chapel

(2008) Chapel is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:30 am - 12:15 pm.  Resident students are encouraged to make chapel a regular part of their schedule
(1975-) Chapel attendance is also a required part of your College life. . . . Also you should no more be late for chapel than for class, and repeated absences or lateness must be explained to the deans.

Dress Code

(2008) Modesty should be a student’s high priority in regards to dress. . . . Students are asked to wear clothing that covers their abdomen, and underwear.
(1975-) Except in residence halls or at scheduled recreational events, slacks, pant suits, and shorts are taboo for young women. Blue jeans are not to be worn to class, library, or in the dining room. Young men are encouraged to wear ties and jackets or sweaters to class and chapel.

Lounges

(2008) Quiet and Courtesy hours are enforced in the lounges. Students are expected to use these spaces with respect and integrity. Failure to do so may result in the closure of the lounge.
(1975) Common Lounge - This area is available to students from 5:00 - 6:00 pm and from 9:30 -10 pm.
(1975+) Care of furnishings must be scrupulously observed . . . It is expected that couples using the lounge will do so in such a way as to not suggest undue intimacy, or cause embarrassment to other students. . . . Closing hour for the lounge is 30 minutes prior to ‘lights out’ in the dormitory.

Other things to note:

(1975+) Laundry facilities are provided in the girls’ dormitory only.
(1975+) Any permission to become engaged or to marry during this period [school year] must be secured from the President.
(1975-) Couples may be together 5:00 and 6:00 pm and 9:30 to 10:00 pm. Weekends, this time may include 5:00 - 11:00 pm. Couples are not to be together other than designated times.

As I read through these rules, and compared them to what some of the rules and regulations that we have in place today, I was shocked and stunned at just how strict they were back then, and how free we are compared to then. The most shocking one that I read was this one: “Relationships between man and women should appear casual even if they aren’t.”  To me it seems like the student handbook was basically asking students to live out a lie for the sake of appearance.  Yet, I do believe these rules and regulations, like today, have their time and place. Despite the fact that we are all adults, we do not always act like it all the time. The thoughts behind some of the rules were for students to focus on their academic studies and not be distracted by other things, which make some sense seeing as we have all paid to be here to learn.

So to end, I will repeat what I began with and that is, be thankful.

Wesley Hague

On Friday eight people from our Student Leadership Team along with the Associate Dean of Student life Marjorie Hopkins, and Tim Grace went to Redeemer University College, for a Leadership Seminar there. While it was a simple message to leaders it did bring a challenge, to lead from our experiences and by being vulnerable as we share part of our story. While the message was simple, the food was good, and the night still was a lot of fun as we were able to end it off with a concert which was probably why half if not more than half of us were there for anyway. The concert had two names on stage; the first was a surprisingly good but unknown band Isobelle Gunn. The second was Jacob Moon, a very familiar name her at EBC. While Jacob was amazing a usual I definitely enjoyed the first band, and almost all of those of us that I talked to, thoroughly enjoyed the first band even though Jacob Moon probably was there reason for being there.

All in all, it was a good night, something that I do not regret going to for a moment.

Wesley Hague

Editor’s Note:  EBC Will be hosting a series of musically based chapels the week of November 3rd – 7th including Jacob Moon, Jay Calder, Dale Nikkel, and student musical offerings with the MCC Coffee House on the Friday evening.  More details to come in the near future.

    Tuesday September 23rd Blue Jays were crushed by an astounding loss to the Yankees. Okay, maybe not THAT astounding, but it was still a sight to behold. Some of Emmanuel Bible College student’s favourite Jay’s players include: Jason Giambi, Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells. When confronted with the question of the Jays playing decently David Dunn said “NO! Scutaro got thrown out at third and Listch couldn’t even block the plate!” John Hamill concurred stating that “they should’ve kept Matt Stairs”. All in all it was a good trip with many fond memories that allowed people from all dorms to “connect” as Angel Taylor put it. Some of the highlights include “seeing the people in the next section wearing robes and red bandanas”, the group yelling “Shave your moustache!” and David Dunn “smuggling a toy gun into the stadium”. How he got through security we’ll never know, but what we do know is that Emmanuel Bible college students “had a blast”, said John Hamill “overall a 10 out of 10 experience”.

Christie Heemskerk