Tag Archives: Faith

A Different Sort of Investment

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By Maria Dillman

finance-classes

In my finance class on Monday, we spent the whole class period (over an hour) discussing a Bible verse.

Can we talk about how strange that sentence is? My finance professor taught a whole lesson based off a parable from the Bible. First of all, most college students in America wouldn’t be able to say that in general. And second of all, I understand if this scenario would have happened in a religion class for example. But finance – isn’t that supposed to deal with numbers or debt or equity or stocks? But it was relevant to business, the economy and the financial world we live in.

I won’t preach the discussion to you because I wouldn’t be able to do it justice. But the conversation dove in and out of fiscal management, being a good steward and obeying the Lord’s will as our number one priority. Our professor didn’t get on his soap box, but rather sat down with us, shared his story and listened to ours. That is an example of true teaching.

As this semester comes to a close, I am reminded yet again how thankful I truly am for the professors and community at Baylor. I couldn’t ask for a better experience in and out of the classroom during my four years in undergrad. Here at Baylor, you can learn all the facts, make the A’s and get a nice little degree, just like any other university. But the true lessons are learned from those around you. That one class period taught me a lesson that will stick with me for the rest of my life. And it was arguably the most important thing I have yet to learn at college. All because my professor cared and he took the time to show it.

P.S. If you want to check out the parable for yourself, it was Luke 12:13-24. 

The Importance of Coffee

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By Aaron Harder

Pic 1If you don’t drink coffee right now, that’s awesome. However, that will probably change by the time you graduate from college. During my first two years of college, I did not partake in the consumption of this wonderful drink. But by my junior year, I had developed a lovely habit of drinking coffee. So why should you care about whether or not you drink coffee…well, the truth is you shouldn’t.

I love coffee – not just because of the taste, but also because it is something that reminds me to slow down and rest. The times I love to drink coffee are not necessarily the times when I need caffeine. I love to drink coffee during my quiet time, when hanging out with friends and while with my family on holiday or vacation.

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For me coffee is a reminder to forget the stress of life and to enjoy the moment. In college, both the past and future are constantly on students’ minds. We tend to dwell in the past when reflecting on previous mistakes or life experiences. Plus, college students always tell funny stories of things they did freshman year or crazy moments in high school. At the same time, everyone is always asking your about your future plans after graduation. You only spend roughly four years at college, so thinking about what comes after is somewhat natural. So trying to be present while in college can be difficult.

So for me, relaxing and drinking a cup of good coffee helps me slow down and enjoy where I’m at in life. It is a way for me to be present in life, not focused on the past or future. It is similar to how God designed the Sabbath – work, work, work, then rest and refocus on the present and on God.

Therefore, “coffee” is actually incredibly important in college. Not only is it delicious and stimulating, but having time for “coffee” is really about being present in a world that blurs by at times. Whether or not you drink coffee, find your way to spend time being present and content in the moment. If not, college life will pass before you ever enjoy it.

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The Second Coming

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By Jaziah Masters

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Don’t look now, but lining the shelves of your local store is Baylor University in its full glory. The cover of this month’s edition of Texas Monthly is, in my opinion, the best magazine cover in recent memory. The iconic Baylor campus graces the cover, adorned with the title “God, Faith, and The Second Coming of Baylor.” Could there really be a better title?

Written by Baylor alum Tom Barlett, the article takes an honest and candid look at Baylor University in its entirety.  Even though Barlett graduated in the mid-nineties, it is a night-and-day difference between Baylor then and Baylor now. The Baylor of his day, which he describes as feeling “like holdovers from a more innocent era,” has transitioned into a University embarking on its most ambitious plan in the school’s 169-year history. This plan includes a multitude of factors that will help to reshape and strengthen Baylor, such as more competitive academics and athletics.  However, the university is determined to maintain its long-standing tradition of being a faith-based institution, even as more and more universities continue to move away from their heritage.

History is a major topic of the article. The reader is given a glimpse into Baylor’s transitional years. Much of this period was marked by challenge and difficulty, particularly faculty and administration strife. I believe the article does a wonderful job of telling this story. Through the highs and lows, Baylor has consistently tried to maintain and improve the things we love most about it.

Not entirely dedicated to the past, the article does discuss the current state of Baylor.  Barlett interviews current President and Chancellor, Judge Ken Starr, who provides incredible insight into not only the current state of the University, but also gives us clues to what the future may hold. Though I cannot speak for everyone, I believe Judge Starr is a great person. In the few times that I’ve interacted with him, he has always been cheery and a pleasure to be around. His interview shows just how much he truly cares about Baylor and all the faculty, staff and students that he leads.

Overall, this is an article that discusses Baylor: the good and the bad, the past and the present, the ins and the outs. Barlett provides an account that portrays a side of Baylor that even I as a student hadn’t realized existed. The article is a great read and an even better chance to gain a lot more information on facts about Baylor that you wouldn’t normally run into. Also, one of my current professors is quoted in it, which is pretty awesome. Faith, football and Baylor, what more could you possible want? Pic 2

“Baylor People are God’s People”

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By Micah Furlong

“Baylor People are God’s People” – this is the thought that keeps running through my head as I try to understand my own situation.

I’ll spare you all the gory details, but it seems like my best friend has abandoned me after eight years, and my relationship is coming to an end after four. These pillars of who I am are suddenly gone, and in this moment, it seems as if I’ve lost my foundation.

But I am not abandoned.

When I first realized what was going on, I felt so alone. Very quickly, I was asked what was happening, but not in some fake “I’m only curious – I don’t really want to listen” kind of way. I cried alone, and when I felt more stable, I was invited to come and cry with friends. In that place, I was welcomed not as some victim to be pitied, but as a brother to be comforted. We stayed up until four in the morning, crying, talking and running over innocent civilians in Grand Theft Auto. My friend had classes the next day and an exam worth 30 percent of his grade, but he gave up those precious hours of sleep to be with me.

Now, I can’t guarantee that if you come to Baylor, you’ll have as good of friends as I have been blessed to receive. But, honestly, these are some of the best people I’ve ever been around. At Baylor, the Christian mentality is not a “holier-than-thou” routine – although there certainly are those folks. It seems as if this community is made up of people still learning what it means to even be a Christian and trying to practice that conviction.

I don’t know where I heard the phrase, “Baylor’s people are God’s people,” but it keeps reverberating in the echoes of my mind. This change and potential loss of hugely important people in my life has been horrible, and I might have been able to stop it if I was at home. But I know that I am supposed to be at Baylor. Now that I’m here, in the midst of this community, I have found a loving group of people who are just as lost as I and yet who seek Jesus in all of their actions.

I hope that, if you come to Baylor, you can experience the same blessing.

Dare to Question

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By Micah Furlong

In the life of every person, there comes a time when you wrestle with the major questions of life, “What is my purpose? Why am I in this particular place at this particular time? Who or what is God?” These inquiries form the basis of an intellectually honest and curious person. My own life has been a continuous struggle to find the median between a life of pure reason and one which embraces the emotional and spiritual gaps often left by austere living. And, to be honest, I can’t think of a better place than Baylor in which to continue this investigation.

Even in the heart of the Bible Belt, Christian faith can be a serious burden on the life of one who dares to ask (or better yet answer) these questions. Often times, you hear the voices of those standing at the extreme who declare that anyone who eats this type of sandwich or wears that type of shirt is sentenced to Hell. To me, its very difficult to reconcile those positions with a loving God. But, with a few exceptions, that isn’t the type of Christian message you receive here at Baylor. The people of this community are seriously engaged in pursuing truth, which means that you may be poked and prodded in unusual ways.

If you happened to be raised in the tradition my family practiced, then coming here will be strange. For example, my professors don’t believe in Biblical literalism. Instead, you will be challenged to search within the nuance of the Scriptures to discover their whole meaning. Many students are disturbed by this idea and refuse to believe anything their professor tells them. But you’ll quickly learn that the majority of academia, quite possibly including your pastor at home, don’t interpret the Bible in a literal sense. To my father, that was a horrifying thought. In my opinion, this understanding of the Bible allows me to dive more deeply into a pursuit of truth in its teachings. In short: it helps me answer the question of who God is and what He is doing.

Likewise, you may be led away from the path you think you’re following. Unlike high school, which tries to drive you toward a career, college is a lot about figuring out who you are as a person. In this long and difficult journey, you will asked to make decisions that will literally direct the rest of your life. And I’m not even using the word “literally” in any ironic way. I know that at 18, asking that much of you is painstakingly hard, but you don’t have to know the answers immediately. Maybe you come to college thinking that you want to become a doctor and leave studying law, psychology or sociology. Please don’t be afraid of this happening! It’s totally natural. If you make it through college without switching your major, you’d be in a tiny minority.

Little do you know that the next four years are going to be the best roller coaster ride you’ve ever ridden. You’re going to realize how little you really know, and be challenged to learn so much more. I’m incredibly lucky to be able to attend Baylor University, which has already in my short time here transformed my understanding of so many things. Now, I get the supreme pleasure of inviting you to come here and join me in this wonderful, and quite often insane, joy ride.

A Healthy College Life is a Happy College Life

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By Emily Martin

Being sick is never any fun, but being sick in college is even worse. In general, college students have extremely hectic schedules. On top of being a full-time student, I am also involved in Waco Young Life (which includes two weekly Bible studies, intramural sports once a week and a College Life club on Sundays), I work at Baylor’s Visitors Center, I write for the Baylor Admissions Blog, I manage a small business called Calligraphy By Emily, which is currently helping me raise money for a mission trip I am going on in January, and I volunteer in the Pre-School Ministry at Highland Baptist Church. Life is pretty crazy for me, and I know that many other students have even crazier lives. When life is this busy, you are bound to wear yourself out, which eventually causes you to get sick. That’s exactly what happened to me last week. I overworked myself and ended up with migraines, a sore throat and an awful cold.

I promised myself that I wouldn’t let myself get to this point ever again, so I made a list of things I am going to do to prevent stress and sickness. Here are my five tips on how to stay healthy in college:

#1 – Find time to work out!

I am usually a pretty active person. I love running, yoga, hiking and pretty much anything that gets me moving and active. However, with a schedule that is this busy, my workouts are typically the first thing I cut. In an attempt to better my health, I have tried to schedule specific days and times of the week to work out in some way. Whether this means going to a Bearobics class at the SLC (Student Life Center) or running the Bear Trail, I am going to make sure that I work out at least five days a week. You can do the same! Find something you love to do that keeps you active! It will help you to stay healthy, AND it will relieve stress!

#2 – Maintain a balanced diet!

This is a great way to ensure that you are staying healthy in college. It is so easy to pick up some Chick-fil-A on campus (something I am frequently guilty of doing…) or to grab five of Ms. Mei’s cookies at Memorial Dining Hall (Also guilty…). If you start thinking more about eating healthier foods, then you will be less likely to become sick. You can do this by incorporating more fruits and veggies into your diet. The next time you make a trip to the grocery store, try to substitute some of your junk food purchases with apples or carrots. Something that I have tried this year is buying miniature bags of carrots. These are so convenient because you can grab one and walk right out the door. It’s not messy, and it’s healthy! You can also try to drink more water and less caffeinated drinks, such as sodas and coffee. I drink two to three cups of coffee a day, so I could definitely replace one of those with a glass of water. Decreasing your caffeine intake will also help you to sleep better at night!

#3 – Sleep sleep sleep!

I am pretty good about doing this one, but I figured I would keep it on my list so that I remember to keep doing it. Everyone makes fun of me, but I usually go to bed around 9:30 or 10 p.m. every night. Sometimes I have a lot of studying to do so I stay up later, but normally I try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Everyone’s body needs different amounts of sleep, so try to listen to your body and give it the rest it needs for you to stay healthy. Sleeping enough at night also helps you to remember all of the information you learned that day, so when you have a big test make sure to get enough sleep the night before!

#4 – Find time to de-stress!

Yoga is something I have found helps me tremendously when I am stressed about school or life, so I am trying to go at least two times a week. I can be stressing about a million things, but if I go to a yoga class, I am completely calmed and ready to take on the world afterward. I know that this might not be the answer to everyone’s problems, so find your own “happy place” to go to when you feel the weight of being a college student bearing down on your shoulders. You could also try taking a short nap, going for a run or going to a Zumba class at the SLC – anything that will get your mind off of your problems and will allow you to refresh and calm down. Staying healthy usually starts with living a stress-free life!

#5 – Give it all to God!

I start off every single day by spending 45 minutes to an hour with God. During this time I read my Bible and then reflect on what I read. Then, I talk with God about all that I have to do that day and ask Him to guide me through all of it and help me to stay focused on Him. It comforts me to know that in reality, all of our “big problems” are usually really small in the long run. Anything is possible through the Lord, and we just have to be willing to give all of our problems to Him. By doing this, you will be less stressed, healthier and happier!

I know that these tips won’t always prevent you from getting sick, but hopefully by making a few adjustments in your daily routines and habits, you will be able to live a healthier life!

 

Unexpected Blessings

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By Maggie Malone

It was far too early to function, but I knew I needed to give it a try. After all, they had coffee. Right?

A couple weeks ago, I dragged myself out of bed at six in the morning after only getting two hours of sleep to attend my church’s early morning prayer service at Common Grounds, the local coffee shop down the street.

I was hesitant to go at first. I’m not much of a morning person – meaning if I’m woken up too early, I can get mean. As my roommate and I walked in the dark hours before sunrise, I prayed for the capacity to be nice.

The coffee did help.

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But even more importantly, it was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had while I was at Baylor. It was so cool to stand outside with my fellow college students as we sang our hearts and souls out and covered each other, our campus and our city with prayers.

College is a place where trying new things can lead to all sorts of unexpected blessings, and I was truly at peace as I watched the sky get lighter and lighter. Who knows what can happen when you take that leap of faith, step out and do something out of routine?

Not only is it important to feed the body and the mind, but it’s also very important to feed the soul as well. And for the first time in a long while, my soul was comfortable and full. My weary soul felt rested, and after a delicious omelet from the Memorial cafeteria, I felt that I had started the day off right.

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Proverbs in Action

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By Jaziah Masters

Around this time of year, many in our Baylor student body make their way south to go to the legendary Austin City Limits Music Festival. I’m told it is a wonderful experience for all.  But this weekend, I found myself in Austin for a very different reason.

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Because I serve as a Peer Leader with the Office of Community Engagement & Service, I was given the opportunity to travel to Austin to participate in the No Need Among You Conference (NNYC). I had no idea that I was about to have an experience unlike any other in my collegiate career. Unlike every other conference I’ve attended, the NNYC revolved around the idea of service. During the weekend, we were shown how to become better service leaders, we became aware of the issues facing America and the world and we met some wonderfully inspiring people, all while being surrounded by a warm and nurturing Christian community.

This year, the Conference was held in East Austin at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  East Austin itself is a very beautiful and unique neighborhood (In fact, it reminds me a lot of Waco). When we arrived at the Conference, we all were presented with various workshops to go to. In the main room, there stood a big banner to remind us all why we were here.  It read, “’Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’ Proverbs 31:9.” Some of the workshops I got to attend were: “To Serve This Present Age,” “The Church’s Active Response to the Growing Phenomena of the Sex Industry” and “How to Dialogue to Bring About Racial Reconciliation.” All of the sessions were led by passionate and informed leaders in regards to their issues. We were shown ways that we could assist in their endeavors and given information we could take back with us.

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Overall, the Conference was a wonderful opportunity to grow in so many ways: my faith, my local, national and global awareness, my leadership capabilities and myself as a person. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity. It is something so special about being able to sit with likeminded people from all walks of life and work toward a higher, yet common purpose. I would strongly encourage everyone to go next year, so please mark your calendars – October 14-16, 2015!

Construction Zone

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By Diana Cates

A certain peace filled my heart as I made the 75 mile trek back toward Fort Worth for Fall Break. It was my drill weekend for the Marine Corps. Unlike most Baylor students packing up their cars to go on mini vacations or settling in for a weekend catching up on Netflix, I was readying my uniforms to report in for three days of training. It was exciting to get off campus and get back to my military roots. During my seven years in the military, I gained a family only comparable to my flesh and blood. The bonds and ties that I formed with my brothers and sisters in arms is something I still cannot explain to civilians, but it is unbreakable. And the truth is that ever since getting off active duty, my heart has been aching to be with them again. We all crave that comforting sense of familiarity, but I think it is when we are out of those zones is when we truly discover who we are and what are our passions. Being at Baylor has opened my eyes to career goals I haven’t had since I was a teenager, and I have to say that is from the untarnished, thriving optimism and faith that radiates from the campus.

My relationship with Christ has grown so much stronger, and with every passing day, my path gets more aligned with him. Consequentially, my relationships with others are more genuine and healthy. Through fellowship with God, I have begun to open my heart in love and acceptance, and this has transformed my life to an abundantly rich one. During this weekend, I witnessed just how different I was from fellow Marines . . . a difference that wasn’t present two months ago. It was amazing how my leadership capabilities and skills had already evolved. So much of my life has changed, not because of Baylor but because of the core morals and values associated with it. Christ is glorified here on campus, and whether you are a believer or not . . . you too will have a sign on you that says “Construction Zone.”

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Let God Take the Wheel

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By Emily Martin

Sometimes, we don’t get what we asked for in life, which can really suck. But I have learned something really important since becoming a student at this great university: God’s plan for your life is so much greater than your own. Yes, I know that this is not new to many of you. However, lately I have been seeing more and more of how true this statement really is.

I came to Baylor thinking that I was going to fit right in and automatically have a ton of friends. In high school, I was never the most popular girl, but I did have a good amount of people that I could always count on to do things with. All of my best friends decided to go to UT Austin and A&M, so coming to Baylor was a courageous move on my part. I didn’t know a soul at Baylor. Even my roommate was a girl that I had only met a few times.

Because I didn’t know anyone yet, the first few weeks of my freshman year were rough. The only friend I had was my roommate, and we felt excluded and invisible to the rest of the freshman class who seemed to have college life figured out.

Eventually things got easier, and I started making more and more friends. But then Rush week came along. I decided to go along with all of the other girls living in Collins and go through Rush week. I honestly thought that I would easily get into the sorority I wanted, and I didn’t prepare myself for if I didn’t. Because of this, Bid Day was a train wreck for me. I remember thinking to myself, “God, why in the world would you do this to a girl like me? Am I not good enough to be a part of what all my friends seem to easily fit into?”

Looking back at these thoughts now, I know that I was being completely ridiculous. Of course God didn’t think that I wasn’t good enough! He just had something better planned for me that I was too blind to see at the time. Sororities are great and that is how God chooses to use some girls, but He has a different plan for some of us.

I didn’t know it at the time, but God was calling me to be a Young Life leader. Young Life is a Christian organization that is dedicated to bringing the Good News of the Gospel to high school students. I had been involved in Young Life for all four years of high school, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I worked at a weekend YL camp right after Rush Week. It was then that I realized God was calling me to put all of my spare time and energy into ministering high school students.

Immediately, I called Sharon, a woman who helps out with Waco Young Life, and we started hanging out. Sharon is probably the coolest and most loving human being on planet earth. When I told her my story and about how I felt God calling me to come back to Young Life, she instantly invited me to go with Waco YL to Colorado that summer.

Long story short, I went to Wilderness Ranch in Colorado last summer and had the time of my life. I am currently in the process of training to become a leader here in Waco, and I am loving every minute of it. The people are so inviting and caring – I genuinely feel at home every time I am with all of them.

My point of telling everyone this story is not to turn girls away from Greek Life or to convince people to join Young Life. My hope is that students know how important it is to follow the path that God has paved for you. I tried to go off and do my own thing, and it did not turn out well for me. There are so many incredible organizations to be a part of here at Baylor, so there is bound to be one that you will fit perfectly into. Don’t limit yourself to doing what everyone else is doing. Whatever God calls you to do in college may not be the coolest or the most glamorous thing in the world, but it will definitely make you a lot happier than just following your friends. Pray about what God wants to use you for during your years here at Baylor, and then get out there and do it.