Well, I just left the Schmul Center and arrived back at my room. The reason for my later (or early, depending on your point of view) arrival? The first major term paper of the semester. It's due Tuesday, and is...intense. I'm at 16 pages right now, and am not yet a third of the way through the outline. You see that beautiful picture above? That's where I'm heading! See yah!

Ryan

Tags: Homework

Alright, I like to read, usually, and I like theology, so it would seem to make sense that I would enjoy reading a commentary. However, I must admit, that after an hour straight of plodding my way through the depths of information overload (namely in the form of a commentary on Acts) I find myself, how shall I say this, stymied. I've just about reached the end of my hoarded resources. I can feel the information beginning to seep out around the edges. However, there is a silver lining, as I write this I sit in a Panera Bread, and earlier enjoyed their wonderful broccoli and cheddar soup, along with half of a chipotle chicken sandwich, both of which were, placidly perfect. Alas, they will be closing soon, and I must needs depart for another location not yet known (perhaps Starbucks). So, to thee, I bid adieu!

Ryan

Tags: Homework, Reading

I was just getting into bed yesterday morning (12:30am) when my friend Shane called me and asked if I wanted to go on a trip to IHOP. It seems that he and my other friend, Brandon, had tons of homework to do for the next day, and thought IHOP would be a conducive place to do it. It sounded good to me, so off we go, traipsing through the night at 1 in the morning to IHOP. You know, you see some interesting sights at IHOP at 1am...most of which you wish you hadn't...'nuff said. What better way to spend the very early hours of a Friday morning than eating pancakes and laughing with friends? You would be amazed at what you find amusing at 1:30-2:00am So, after the food, we got down to homework, and hacked away till about 3:00 when our adrenaline began to wane. We looked a sight. We finally headed back to GBS a little after 3, and made the unduly laborious trek up to the colossal height of the 5th floor. I crashed around 3:30, and got back up at 6am for my 7am class. It was a most unique feeling. I went through the class in something akin to a stupor. Perhaps, "languid" or "lethargic" would be a better adjective (well, technically, a better object of a preposition, right? No. Any English majors?). It was a strange experience. Thankfully, I was able to power nap right after that, because I didn't have a class for another 50min.. But, all things considered, it was worth it. It's like my Mom said, "Enjoy it while your young, because if you do that when you get old, it'll mess you up for three days."








No wonder everybody was looking at us funny

Ryan

p.s. In case you can't tell, I haven't yet recovered from my depravation of sleep, hence my scatty prose. Mr. Profitt would not be impressed...

Tags: Homework, fun, Friends, IHOP

Today was the annual Fall Picnic here at GBS, and it was a gorgeous day for it! It was nice and sunny, but not too warm. I started off with my camera permanently enmeshed with my hand, but eventually broke away from that for some fun of a differnt nature. Frisbee was a highlight of the day, as well as sand volleyball (we dominated ). The food was good, as always. However, I am now being plagued with angst due to my lack of completd homework. It's really beginning to pile up. So, I stand at the scales so many college students face. Was the social enrichment worth the shortfall of completed homework? Do you create good memories, or get an A? I guess it all comes down to a balance between the two (how did you like that cop out ). Oh well, I guess I will stop philosophizing about it, and just do it. If you would like to see some photos from the day, I have posted some here under "Fall '08 Semester".

Ryan

Tags: Relax, fun, Picnic

I was forced to make an extremely unexpected trip home yesterday, due to a massive storm partly caused by Hurricane Ike. As the massive front caused by Ike moved north, a massive front from the north was heading south. They met near Cincinnati, causing a severe storm. Cincinnati got 45mph wind with gusts up to 75mph or more. Now, I'm a good size guy (6' tall), but it about knocked my feet out from under me on a couple occasions, and really battered you about. It caused severe damage across the entire city. GBS sits right on top of a hill (Mt. Auburn), and so was particularly susceptible to the strong winds. It knocked down at least three trees and branches too numerous to count. It knocked in a window in the girls dorm, and a staff members house. Siding is missing everywhere. Multiple roofs will need to be replaced. Power lines will have to be fixed, and that's on GBS' campus alone. We lost power (along with the 600,000+ other residents in the area). As I drove home, I nearly ran out of gas because basically everything from Cincinnati to Dayton is shut down (including gas stations). The lack of power has caused no small dilemma on campus. With nothing to keep the freezers and refrigerators going, they were quickly running out of food. So, they cancelled school until at least tomorrow (Wed.), and asked us all to go home because they could not sustain us, and there is also the element of safety, now that there is a blackout in the area. So, I'm home. For now. This really throws a kink, scholastically speaking, into the mix. Hopefully it will not bury me. Here are a few pictures that I took during the storm. I will try and post more later.

Ryan








This photo was taken about 10-15 miles from GBS.

Tags: Ike, Storm

We had our first Greek 2 class today. It was...scary. I have forgotten a lot. I finished my Greek flashcard set of all the words used 30 or more in the New Testament. It was 4" tall. ugghh. But, I know that I can do all things through Christ (Phil. 4:13). It's also very fun to be able to work with the original language! You can gain so much. Yes, I am a little nervous and intimidated, but I am not despairing. If this is what God has chosen to place before me, I know He will help me through it.

Ryan

Tags: Greek

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things here at GBS. I got my room mostly in place, now I just need to hit Greek really hard to refresh me for this year. The stack of flash cards you see here are less than half of all the vocabulary words we need to have memorized. It's a lot of work. And that's not even counting all of the grammar rules we need memorized. Well, If you can't tell by my very lackadaisical writing style, I am tired. I believe I shall retire. Have a good day.

Ryan

Tags: Greek, School, Busy

I arrived back on campus around 7:00pm tonight. It was busy! A lot more people than I expected. I began the extremely laborious treks up down down the 76 stairs to my room. I'm guessing I made between 10-15 trips. Don't do the math, let's just say, I've never been so near to heaven! Neck bulging as I gasp for air in the sweltering stairwells. The asyphxiating smell of fresh paint and dry wall from some work recently completed added to the effect. But, you know what they say, what doesn't kill you....

My room is coming together. Here is a pic of the in progress unpacking/organization.




Well, back to the organizing. Have a good evening!

Ryan

Tags: School, Back

I head back to school tomorrow in Cincinnati. Summer went by WAY to quickly! I'm not ready...

Ryan

Tags: Back

Finals are over! I just finished up my last scholastic project today. Now all that I have left to do is work related. I still have two-three major projects left. But come Monday I'm going home! Ahhh, time to get some sleep!

See yah,
Ryan

Tags: Finals, GBS

Bedtime yesterday - 4:30am
Bedtime today - 3:30am

Hmmm... I think I see a pattern! Maybe by the end of the week I'll get to bed before 11:00pm!

Ahh.... Gotta love finals week!

Ryan

Tags: GBS, Finals, Busy

Well, it's almost over. Finals started last Thursday, and end (for me) this Tuesday. Oh....SO much to do! But, God will be faithful (Heb. 13:5). I had a fun weekend by going up to my grandparents and surprising my mom (who was visiting) for Mothers Day. I even got conned into to preaching Sunday (on very short notice I might add ).Travis (my cousin) and I had fun plinking around with a few of his guns. We are the bottle and dandelion kings when it comes to .22LRs Good times! Well, Monday is my biggest day, and I still have much to do. If you happen to think of it, pray for this busy college student!


The sniper Himself


Just me plinking around


Ryan

Tags: GBS, Homework, Finals, Weekend

I decided not to make excuses for my long absence from the blogosphere, but let me just say that it involves homework (well, I guess I just did anyway)... I just finished taking an assessment exam for Greek. Let's just say, better luck next time... Let me forewarn you, you may not see too much of me over the next two weeks as finals start Thursday of next week. But, hopefully after that I will have some time to relax, and blog, and sleep, and live!

May you have a peaceful, quiet, serene, slow-paced, lollygagging day
Ryan

Tags: Busy, Greek, End, Homework, GBS

Well, it's 1:24AM and I just got back from doing Lesson 29 exercises for Greek class tomorrow with Shane. I seemed destined to never get to before before midnight again. Let me introduce you to this wonderful language (and I mean that seriously, even though I don't always feel like it. Besides, you can't argue with God because it was His choice to reveal the New Testament in Koine Greek). Or maybe should I say, let me introduce you to the bane of 1st year Greek students. Infinitives, and participles.




They're bad enough in English, now Greek?! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Ryan

Tags: GBS, Homework, Greek

Ahh, it was another late night here at GBS for a certain college student (yours truly). It was about 2 am when I rolled into bed. Can I be done yet? I'm ready for summer. But, it's good for me, and I'm learning a lot. Well, on to Greek. Were working on aorist participles right now...the fog is pretty thick right now. And I'm taking 2nd year Greek when I don't have to?! I need my head examined! Or in the words of Festus, "much learning doth make thee mad" (Acts 26:24).

Ryan

Tags: Homework, GBS, Busy

We had blizzard conditions this weekend in Cincinnati. A snow emergency was declared and you could be arrested and fined $500 for driving on the roads anywhere in Hamilton County till noon today. It was pretty nasty! And, yes, I've lived in Michigan long enough to get a taste for what "nasty" is. Just when I thought Spring was around the corner! I have to preach tomorrow, I have a huge test Monday, I preach in class Tuesday. Ahh... I feel the crunch setting in. BUT "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:13) Remember this struggling college student in your prayers!

Ryan

Tags: Snow, GBS

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Choir Tour '08. It would take too much time out of a busy college student's life (with a huge Life of Christ test Monday, I might add) to narrate each of these pictures. So I simply post them for your viewing enjoyment. However, if you wish, you might try narrating them yourself, I'm sure that could be quite amusing

Ryan

Tags: Photography, fun, Choir, Friends, Concert, Crazy

Choir Tour 2008 is officially over. We returned Sunday night from our last service. It was hard, especially for the ones graduating or not returning. Everyone went around to each other and said their final goodbyes. Lot's of tears, lot's of hugs, lot's of unity. But, now it's back to the grindstone. I admit, it's probably going to take a small atomic bomb to get me moving again. I just feel like sleeping, and doing nothing for the next 2 months. Ah well, for God and country.

Ryan

Tags: GBS, Back, Choir, Break, End

It has been an action packed beginning for the '08 GBS Choir Tour. We left at 7:40 am Thursday morning under very cold conditions. I eventually fell asleep and woke up a few hours later to see the front window of the bus covered in a solid sheet of ice. So, the bus crept along at a the rate of a sloth before all traffic eventually came to a dead halt. The entire road was a solid sheet of ice! Ahead was a hill that under normal conditions was small, but, covered in ice, proved insurmountable. There was a semi in the ditch, a car in the other ditch, and traffic as far as the eye could see. A group of us actually got out and "ice-skated" down the I65 freeway in Kentucky.




We were stuck there for about 3-4 hours before we eventually turned around and headed back to a truck stop to eat. It was packed! There were all kinds of people. In fact, there was a group of people from Campus Crusades for Christ there. We got to talking to the representative, and he told me that he was traveling with Andre Cole, the Christian illusiionist, and that he was sitting in the back booth. I found this so ironic as I had went to one of his shows about 10 years ago at the Christian Family Center. He is the one circled in the picture below.



We barely got to the service in time. We actually didn't even have time to change or set up risers or PA equipment. And so we sang, just as we were. But, the Lord came, and we had a tremendous service. After getting all packed up after the service we got on the bus and headed out. Unfortunately, we never made it out of the parking lot. After cutting a corner too sharp the back passenger tire ended up in a ravine, suspended off the ground. So, out go all the students and the guys get on the back of the bus and tried (in vain) to push it out. Alas, we returned to the church, hopelessly defeated. It was fun though just sitting around playing games, and talking.


A wrecker was called in and eventually the bus was loosed and we were on the road again. We got into Pell City, AL about 2 am Friday morning. The good thing was we got to sleep in the next day. What a blessing! We left at 7 am this morning from Pell City, and we are headed to Ocala, Florida. We have very nice weather so far, and you certainly don't need a coat! In the words of Mr. Davison, "We're suffering for Jesus!" Well, we stop in 11 miles to eat at (what else...) McDonalds. It seems that's all we ever do on tour, eat, eat, eat. I will try and post more later. See yah.

Ryan

Tags: GBS, Personal, Photography, Relax, Choir, fun

It's been a pretty slow start so far this semester. Three of my professors are actually in another country, so I really haven't started in three of my classes. Although, I must admit, I have felt guilty about not compensating for this by pushing all the harder in my other classes. Oh well, maybe I can store up this relaxation for later in the semester.

I've had a few thoughts that have been pestering me lately. Do we really think that God is good? Do we really think He has our best interest at heart? Do we really rely upon "grace through faith" for our salvation? Or do we subconsciously strive to 'earn' our salvation. I know that we've been thoroughly indoctrinated with the concept of the "gift" of salvation, and would quickly check the correct answer if asked 'how to receive salvation' on a test, but has it truly 'sunk in' yet? Or do we strive and struggle in a vain, subconscious attempt to earn God's favor. Have we accepted the fact that God loves us for who He made us to be, and there's nothing further we could do to make Him love us more? He loved us enough to die for us, while we were still sinners, is there any better way for Him to show His love to us? ("But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8)

Dr. Phil was talking in class the other day about Nahum 1:1-7. You really owe it to yourself to read that passage! Did you realize that God is jealous of you? Not in the negative way that we so often think of today, but jealousy, at its root, is a desire, an intense desire. So God intensely desires you! And as you read through the first 6 verses of that passage, and you visualize just how thunderous and powerful this God is, it can be almost terrifying. He rebukes the sea, and it dries up. Mountains quake in His presence and hills literally melt. His wrath is poured out like fire. But then you come to vs. 7, "The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him." Visualize God as Nahum 1:1-7 describes Him. See as He walks and moutains quake, and hills melt before Him. See the ferocity in His face as He pours out His wrath, but look closer. There is a follower of God, running for all he or she is worth, being pursued by the enemy, but he or she is running straight toward this Being Who turns the world upside down with His presence, because they know, that if they can just reach Him, they will be safe. (Psalm 18:10) And as the follower nears God he doesn't slow down, but barrels straight into Him, and is swallowed up in a haven of safety, and the enemy is forced to abandon its chase.

If I serve a God Who loves me enough to die for me while I was yet a sinner; if He is jealous of His relaitonship with me, then I have nothing to fear. I can stand unashamedly, I can work uninhibited, and I can live in peace knowing that I don't have to worry about earning my right to God, because He has provided the way, all I have to do is walk in it. Why on earth should I fear and worry about situations that I might face? If I truly believe that I serve such a powerful God, and that He intensely desires a relationship with me, then I can simply relax, go limp, and allow Him to work out His will in my life. It's kind of like a swimmer who is drowning. They're thrashing and struggling for all they're worth, trying desperately to stay afloat, but all the time unaware that the life guard is right there trying to rescue them, but is unable to help because they will not simply relax, and allow themselves to be rescued. Help me, Lord, to live with reckless abandon to You, being completely dependent on nothing but your love for me, and your intense desire to have a relationship with me.

Ryan

Tags: Study, Random, Bible

I ventured into a new area tonight, carpentry (yes, I heard you chuckle as you saw my sorry excuse for an entrance project). The fact of the matter is I don't have enough space to hang my clothes so I am forced to build myself a "closet/closerack". It's going to be a double bar rack which will greatly help with the space issue! I got it about half way done tonight.

Tags: Carpenter, Clothes Rack, Build, Construction, GBS

GBS has been in Revival this week with Rev. John Manley. It has been an amazing week and God truly has been working among the student body! Praise the Lord for being faithful to His children.

Tags: Revival, Manley, GBS

Well, the fun is over and it's back to the grindstone. Well, considering I worked all summer, did I ever leave it? Hmmm, questions that have no answer. Anyway, I am back at GBS and moved into my own room! What a blessing! I started my new job working for Dr. Brown on Tuesday. Things are going well, but I'll feel better once learn all the ins and outs involved with the position. But, I guess that will come with time. Things have been extremely busy since my return, and even now I am pressed for time so I must cut this short. I will try and post more later. Have a great day.

Ryan

Tags: Room, Move, Return, Back, GBS

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School is officially over TOMORROW! And the student's of God's Bible School & College are getting a little stir crazy! We want to go home! Ahh, the countdown begins...13 hours, 41 minutes, 55 seconds.....54 seconds..... 53 seconds.....

Ryan

Tags: Last day, GBS, Crazy, fun, Break

Yesterday (Saturday the 26) was the graduation service for GBS college and high school seniors. There was a large crowd! The auditorium was packed. I must admit viewing the ceremony with an ounce of envy, wishing it was my turn to walk across that platform, and have the next few years behind me. Ahh, well, this year has flown by, and I guess the next few will as well.

Ryan

Tags: Graduation, GBS

Camp Meeting started tonight here at GBS and will continue through Sunday. There are three speakers, including tonight's speaker, Dr. Paul Kaufman, and Dr. Wingrove Taylor, who is a regular speaker for the meeting, and Rev. Chris Cravens. Dr. Kaufman did a fantastic job tonight! I have a feeling we are in for some good preaching over the next few days!

Ryan

Tags: Camp Meeting, Kaufman, Taylor, Cravens, GBS

Yesterday was GBS' Concert on the Lawn where the Symphonic Wind & String Ensemble performs works from a plethora of sources. Some of the music this year included the National Anthem, selections from The Phantom of the Opera, and Oklahoma. They did a superb job! It was well attended, and I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed it!

Ryan

Tags: Concert, Symphony, Music, GBS

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I just took my last exam, and, as far as school work goes, my freshman year of college is over! Thank the Lord for helping me through this year! It feel funny not to have to worry about doing homework tonight for classes tomorrow. I think I can get used to this....

Ryan

Tags: End, Last day, Exams, GBS, Break

It was a sad day last week as we finished up our last D Group (Discipleship Group). It was a good year, and we shared a lot of good times. Out last meeting consisted of a lot of food, and just talking. It was a lot of fun. Hopefully we can be in the same group next year.

Ryan

Tags: D Group, GBS

Tonight was officially declared a study night into the cafeteria for exams tomorrow. They had snacks and a lot of students with worried, stressed out, bleary eyed, crazed looks on their faces incoherently chanting things like "T.S. Elliot wrote The Wasteland....T.S. Elliot wrote The Wasteland...T.S. Elliot wrote..." As I write this I am sitting by the British Literature table, remind me not to take that class, it sounds like a lot of work. The snack pile has been depleted, the caffeine is running low, the students are dropping like flies. Keep the GBS students in your prayers this week, they're going to need it!

Ryan

Tags: Exams, GBS, Study

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There are only three days of school left! I am now finished with four classes, and have two more to go. I finished my Doctrine of Holiness class today. I actually don't have any exams tomorrow! So my next exam will be Discipleship/Small Groups on Wednesday, followed by Principles of the Christian Life II on Thursday. Then, the push on through Camp Meeting and then... FREEDOM! I can make it, I can make it, I can make it....

Ryan

Tags: Exams, GBS, End, Break

We had two choir performances yesterday, drawing to a close choir for the 06/07 school year. We have one more performance at camp meeting in a couple weeks, but that's it. We basically no longer have choir practice the rest of the year. The first event was for the National Day of Prayer, in which we sang on the steps of the court house. They had various people gives prayers on a plethora of topics. It was a really neat experience. That evening we had our most important performance yet, oratorio. We performed Handle's Messiah at a large church downtown. We were backed up by the orchestra, in which several professional musicians were hired to play as well. It was a really neat experience!

Ryan

Tags: Choir, GBS, Music

Tuesday was the annual GBS Spring Picnic, in which there are no classes for the day and all the faculty, staff, and students go to a nearby park. It was a beautiful day! There were many activities. From softball and footbal to unicycling and rowboating, we had it. I spent a long time out on the lake with Megan and a couple of friends rowing around. We were occasionally 'attacked' by some fellow GBS'ers who were the 'pirates' of the lake and went around stealing peoples shoes off their boats and delivering them to other GBS'ers. It was a lot of fun! If you would like to see some pictures of it simply go here. Enjoy!

Ryan

Tags: Picnic, fun

Friday evening the drama club at GBS put on an amazing production centered around the life of the great missionary Lottie Moon. It was not only phenomenal from a technical standpoint, but it was spiritually impacting as well! It was carried out with great precision and everyone was thoroughly impressed. I really hope they travel with it!

Ryan

Tags: Play, Drama

I arrived back from IHC Thursday night to go straight into shooting picture for VIP Day at GBS. VIP Day is simply a time when people interested in coming to GBS can come and look at our school and gain some information. It was a very</