Faith | John Brown University Student Life Blog

God’s Proximity In Our Adversity (Part Two): Suffering

Apr 18 2019

1,578

Disaster, disease and death—there are infinite instances every day that cause suffering. Because we live in a broken world, we all experience suffering in different ways. Something God has really shown me is that sometimes we grieve for those who are suffering. In other words, when those we love are in pain, we hurt, too. God has placed in each and every one of us a heart of empathy for those we care about. We especially experience this grief if we have an emotional connection with someone who is afflicted. The stronger that connection is, the stronger we are[…]

Apr 03 2019

2,054

Coming into college, I expected to immediately make amazing friends without putting in a lot of effort. I dreamed of evenings exploring Siloam Springs, hiking local trails on Saturday afternoons and having late nights with lots of laughter and long conversations. I made plenty of friends my first semester at JBU, but I only had one friendship that went beyond the surface level. I struggled to find anyone else that I really clicked well with. As a result, I found myself sitting in my room, lonely many afternoons and throughout my weekends when she wasn’t available. I couldn’t figure why[…]

Mar 04 2019

1,481

As JBU students, we are inundated with the gospel, which is a huge blessing. Chapel is held three times a week. Professors pray in classes. Core Bible classes are required for every major. Not to mention the Bible studies, spontaneous prayer/worship sessions, and general Jesus talk that takes place all over campus every day. Our minds are never far from the Word of God, but where are our hearts? My first semester at JBU, despite being constantly surrounded by God’s truth, I found it difficult to draw near to God. When you’re talking and thinking about God so much as[…]

God’s Proximity In Our Adversity (Part One): Loneliness

Mar 03 2019

4,994

In my life, I have struggled over and over with feelings of loneliness. Throughout these dark times, God has taught me about Himself. I have learned that He is understanding, He is caring, and, perhaps above all, that He is lovingly present, especially in the refining fire of hardship. During a time when I was young, and before I had actually accepted Christ, I remember one night I felt so alone that I started talking to myself. Trust me, I know, it is weird but at that time it was the only thing I wanted: a simple conversation with someone[…]

Jan 01 2019

When I think about how this university has been operating for 100 years now, I can start to question my place in it all. One hundred years is a long time. How many students just like me have experienced this place? I am just one of thousands. It’s an overwhelming thought that can lead me to wonder if I, one Iowa-born girl attending JBU for four years, am contributing anything to this centennial legacy. In another hundred years, will my picture be up on whatever is the future form of Power Point as the woman who accomplished such and such[…]

Oct 03 2018

2,035

Deciding what to do with your life is a challenge for everyone coming out of college. It’s your first step into the “real world” and whatever you do could easily shape the next 3-to-5 years of your life. But there isn’t any pressure, right? As a senior at JBU, I’m often asked the age-old question, “So, do you know what you’re doing after school?” A fair question, but unoriginal if you ask me. “I don’t know yet,” I reply confidently. The key word in my reply is “yet,” because not knowing what is ahead of me is natural. If someone[…]

Oct 02 2017

2,418

This weekend was one for the books. Let me preface by saying that my favorite band by far is a group called NEEDTOBREATHE. I have been following them and their music for a long time, and have always loved it. Some controversial businessmen-politicians might refer to my fandom as being “YUGE.” So one could infer that I was pretty ecstatic to see them live in concert for the first time last Friday night in Oklahoma City. The trip down was an adventure in itself. After rushed astronomy tests, missed gas stations, hazardous U-turns, and fine dining at Raising Cane’s Chicken[…]

Sep 20 2017

1,422

Late last night, I sat down at my desk to finally complete an assignment for my Old Testament class that should have been done much earlier. The assignment was to read the Abraham story (Genesis 12-25) and the accompanying textbook pages, and then answer a few reflection questions over them. My plan was to get this done quickly and move on with my day. Fortunately, God had something else in mind. Although I have read this story many times in the past, I think I have often failed to fully grasp it. I have always viewed Abraham as a hero,[…]

Sep 05 2017

4,977

At two a.m. on Thursday morning, it finally set in. I typed the last word on my English homework, snapped my MacBook shut, and felt relief rush over me with the thought, It’s over. This relief lasted a full two seconds, replaced quickly by the realization, I have to get up and do it all again in 5 hours. At this moment, college became real to me. And not a good real. The pomp and circumstance of Orientation were over, and the grind had begun. As I thought it through, my predicament only became worse. There would be no end[…]

Jun 25 2017

1,788

“Your grades don’t define you.” The words were written on the whiteboard of my advanced composition class the morning after we turned in our first assignment. The professor explained that we were all defined thousands of years ago by God and our grades shouldn’t define us. I immediately agreed with this statement, though it’s still hard to completely accept. I don’t let my grades define me, but I know that these letters are an important part of how I view myself. I see myself as the person who always gets straight A’s and, if I don’t achieve that goal, it[…]

Category - Faith

God’s Proximity In Our Adversity (Part Two): Suffering

Making Friends at JBU

Stagnant Faith and the Christian College

God’s Proximity In Our Adversity (Part One): Loneliness

Part of a Legacy

How NOT to Worry for what’s Next

Concerts and Kingdoms

Faithfulness to All Generations

Beauty in Monotony

Your Grades Don’t Define You