Written throughout the spring semester as a reflection on Revelation 22:3 “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.”
Sabbath Small Groups
I’ve been learning this semester. Really learning. Not the type of learning you do when you memorize grammar charts in Spanish or German, but the type that changes the way you think and act. Ever since Breathe Retreat I have been challenged with this idea of Sabbath. I realized after Breathe that rest was a foreign concept to me. There was never a day where a chose to rest in Christ, pushing everything else out of my schedule and I wanted that to change.
After Breathe, several Sabbath Small Groups were created to provide accountability and encouragement for those of us who were practicing Sabbath, many for the first time. Each week we talked through a section of Sabbath Keeping by Lynne Baab and talked about our experience with Sabbath that week. Honestly, some weeks were discouraging, telling my group that Sabbath hadn’t gone anything like I’d wanted. But the accountability that came through the small groups was incredible. It was so wonderful to hear the stories of what God was doing in each person’s life.
Every person approached Sabbath differently depending on their personalities, but God’s provision was evident in each person’s experience. For some of us, Sabbath was baking cookies for our friends and throwing the Frisbee. For others, it was reading or taking a nap. Whatever the method, I so appreciated the accountability that came from sharing about my attempts at Sabbath keeping and the encouragement that came from hearing other’s experiences.
Sabbath small groups are over and the semester is coming to a close, but for most of us Sabbath will continue and we will continue to learn what it means to rest in Christ.
—Emily Wood
Yesterday, six students gathered to tell their story. Real stories of the struggles, challenges, victories, and joys in their life. And for the hour meeting, all masks were off.
These students are the six story tellers for next week’s “God Stories” event. As each story was shared, I couldn’t help but get a small glimpse of what real community looks like… maybe even a glimpse of what heaven looks like. Because, for that hour, God got all glory.
It’s this whole idea of storytelling. The often terrifying idea of having to be real with someone. For whatever reason, I think we as Samford students feel like we have to paint this perfect picture of ourselves. I know I’m guilty of it. I find myself being “okay” or “good” all the time. And honestly, sometimes I’m not…. And I don’t think I’m alone.
But something beautiful happens when we share those stories that we so often try to keep covered up. Something beautiful happens when we rest in our stories, our struggles, and become okay with not being perfect. Something powerful happens when we recognize that maybe, just maybe, our stories aren’t even ours in the first place.
What I saw yesterday, was God’s bigger story of Hope. His story of redemption, love, and rescue. What I’ve come to realize is that when we withhold our stories, we rob God of his glory. Essentially, we cover-up and hide what he’s done. We diminish his work in our life, and selfishly avoid the potential discomfort of actually being vulnerable.
So I challenge you to come to God Stories. To listen to the stories of friends and peers, and watch as they courageously take off their masks. My prayer is that you might leave, wanting yours off too.
—Hanna Weaver
The end (of our study of Revelation, that is) draws eerily near. This week, we reached the climax of the book in chapter 21 as Matt described for us the creation of a New Heaven and New Earth in the end of time. All things will be joined together and nothing will be the same.
It’s important to note here that in the end, we will not escape the “bad” things on earth to go to a new home in heaven…God is preparing a place for us here. The Earth we have will be made new and good and joined with Heaven like it was intended. So don’t spend your life here trying to escape—spend it trying to prepare it for that day when it will be new. Make it beautiful. Clean it up. Your work is not in vain.
As you listen to this podcast, whether alone or with a group, meditate and pray upon the renewal of God you’ve seen in your life as well as the renewal you’ve observed in the world around you. It’s there…and this is just a preview.
Enjoy and come back next week for the last Shiloh of the semester!!!
Revelation 21.
The new heaven and earth.
*photo by Drew Young
Rev. 19:1-10
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
*photo by Amy Lucas
Last night, Shiloh was blessed by awesome guests, “All Sons and Daughters,” as well as the chapel full of people that came to see them and worship with us. The band led us through the night with some great songs and incorporated our key elements of worship (a painting, prayer for the nations, Matt’s preaching, and communion) into their groove. All together, it flowed very smoothly and the presence of God could definitely be felt in Reid Chapel. Point noted—its good to change things up every now and then.
Aside from the music, we continued our study of Revelation with Revelation 19, the marriage supper of the lamb. Matt reminds us that marriage is a big commitment and is something that takes a lot of planning beforehand. Work to prepare yourself for that marriage, and see your relationship with Christ in this light—give Him the time, the honor, the exclusivity He deserves.
And enjoy His presence.
Join us next week as we begin to wrap up the study of Revelation. You won’t want to miss it.
*art by Alicia Alexander
As we headed off to East Lake early this Saturday morning full of chicken biscuits, the humility of going into a community and learning from them and what they’re doing in Christ set in. Samford Gives Back gave us the opportunity as painters to go to East Lake United Methodist Church and use our skills in a way that will stay with the community beyond our short time there. Seeing the youth that came to help in the projects we did, the budding Farmer’s Market outside in the beautiful sunshine, and the feeling of community that permeated the atmosphere was such a blessing to observe for the four hours we were there.
If you haven’t heard of East Lake, I urge you to check into the programs they have set up and see if there’s a place for you to join the fantastic work that’s happening there.
Also, any other groups from Samford Gives Back or other community outreach projects feel free to contact me at jsouder@samford.edu and we can show the work of God happening outside of Samford!
Be the change you wish to see. Grace and peace.
We are all called to a location,
Called to station ourselves in the midst of a place,
Called to fill in the spaces with what we have to offer.
We are not the authors of this story,
But we’re called to a community for his glory.
So go—
Give up your time,
Bring love into the battle against crime,
Look beyond the hate that exists,
Persist through rough edges and pain,
Chain yourselves to your fellow laborers—
And grow.
Your community needs you.
So trudge through the darkness as one,
Allow people into your life
Let vulnerability be your language.
Don’t just be friends,
Be family.
Together, tend the crops, and the shops, and the blocks.
Open your eyes to the lack of education—
And attempt to right the wrong.
Commit to working hard for success,
View your address as more than a number.
It is your home.
Let love in.
Repair what is torn and broken,
Start within,
And work without falling into bitter distrust.
Dust off the old deck of cards,
and invite people over.
Allow laughter and harmony to sprout,
Send ahead messengers and scouts,
to discover fields that need work,
And together roll up your sleeves and cultivate the dirt.
Help with chores in the yard,
Play a round of cards,
Discard all disagreements between,
You are all from one deck.
Trust.
Do not fear,
Instead, clear that place of fright to grow faith,
Facing death and destruction,
Lace it with visions and love,
And enjoy as the Lord grows beauty from dust.
*written by Nicole Smith
