Where has the time gone?

Wow! it is March 5th and i feel like it was yesterday that I was deciding to come to the Institute and was incredibly nervous!  The last month has been so wonderful in that our class has really developed in friendships and community. Just got back from a walk with my roommate and suitemate, two of my closest friends.  It was beautiful today and so we walked around campus and then sat and prayed for one another.  It so encouraging to be around such godly men and women who are growing so much in their faith.   

Also exciting, we finished our Belief Statements today!  This whole semester, our class has been working on a project to develop a written statement of what we believe about certain issues, all backed up by Scripture.  Needless to say, it has been an overwhelming assignment.  I stayed up until 6:30 this morning finishing it and then slept for 30 min. before class!  haha, probably could have prepared better!  But, I think we are all so grateful for this opportunity to actually take the time and figure out what we really believe.  i’ve learned so much about the Trinity, Salvation, Church, Spiritual Warfare etc.  Things that before I had no idea how to defend and now, can at least say that I have a better understanding of what God tells us regarding those issues. 

I’m so sad to think about leaving this place in a few weeks but so excited to see what the Lord has next and feel so much more equipped to go out and change this world for the cause of Christ!

Much to Update on!

Sorry for the pause in my updates!  Life seemed to get a little crazy there for awhile!  We are now in our second semester of the Institute and time is flying by.  I can’t believe that I have been living in Branson for over 4 months now.  In looking back at the last four months together, I’ve noticed some defining characteristics of our class.  I can’t speak for previous classes, but I have seen the Class of 2009 struggle with some difficult situations.  And thanks to the Lord to whom we surrender, I think that we have grown and learned so much through them. 

In the beginning, our class seemed to struggle with unity.  Mid-fall, our class spent an entire class period discussing community and how we could do better at building each other up.  It was a difficult 3 hours and hard to face the reality that, as the body of Christ, we might be struggling in some areas.  That day was a turning point for us I think.  Even though we didn’t immediately have amazing fellowship, I believe our hearts were changed and our minds focused on the task before us, to love one another.  I cannot express how exciting it has been to watch my classmates on this journey.  Before Christmas break, community began to grow a little stronger.  But, in the last few weeks, there has been an undeniable change.  Our class has begun to stand as one body, working to be intentional with one another, and comfort eachother in the midst of pain. 

Two weeks ago, our class received difficult news about one of our own.  He had made some difficult decisions over the break that unfortunately, had grave consequences and won’t be returning.  As a class, we were then and still are completely broken over the hurting of our brother in Christ.  We continue to pray for him and for his future, that He would cling to the truth and promises of His Lord and Savior.  It has been a hard last few weeks.  But, I love that in the midst of brokenness, the Lord still chooses to teach us so much.  I have witnessed a group of 50 people who recently struggled with unity, come together as a hurting body of believers, ready to stand firm together for one of our own.  As a class, we have committed to praying for him and sending him encouraging letters.  Perhaps what the Enemy meant to use to divide us, the Lord is using to knit our hearts together. 

I can honestly say that this group of people has become such a source of strength for me in this year of Biblical training.  I’m so thankful for the building of community and unity and for the goodness of the Lord in the midst of struggles and pain.  He is completely good to His people, all the time, without fail.  Cling to that Truth friends!

Spirit Week

It’s been a fun and crazy week here at the Institute!  For the past three days, we’ve been celebrating spirit week.  Monday, students dressed up as Disney characters, some of which included The Incredibles, Cruella, Mary Poppins, The Jonas Brothers and many more 🙂  Yesterday, students represented their schools during class, all wearing their colors with honor 🙂  Today, has by far been the most fun.  Each student dressed as their roommate!  It was hilarious to see the interpretations of everyone’s personality and fashion style.  Our week will end in a football/powder puff football tournament and a homecoming dance, with an offical homecoming court of course.  Our group is getting close, learning about eachother and what God is doing in our lives.  We are praying for continued unity as we see the enemy desiring to create tension through our differences.  My prayer this week is that we continue to be a unified group of 52 who love one another, challenge eachother, and can have fun as a body of believers earnestly seeking Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Fun Times at the ‘Tute

Top 10 Most Fun Things We’ve Done So Far

(In No particular Order)

1.  Scavenger Hunt around Branson

2.  Fun games played at the Branson Landing (ex.  Blu Gnu, Sniper)

3.  Open Mic Night every Friday night-  Yay for Improv! 🙂

4.  Themed Parties- (ex.  Awkward Middle School Attire, Halloween costume)

5. Camping in Arkansas ( Rock Climbing, Hiking, Caving)

6.  All 52 of us spent a day on a house boat (yacht club style), dancing, cliff jumping, swimming

7.  Ultimate Frisbee

8.  Road Trip to Dallas for OU/TX

9.  Paint War during our Service Project

10.  Wake Surfing on Table Rock Lake

Just Call Me E.T.

Did you know that we, as believers, are aliens in this world?  That this is not our home?  Did you know that as followers of Christ we are called to live as ambassadors of a different country, of a heavenly one?  We aren’t called to set up shop here, hang pictures on the wall, get settled in and place our hope in this world.  On the contrary, God has purposed for us to fix our eyes on Jesus and focus on the eternal goal!

In the past 6 weeks, God has been taking me on a journey with Him in which He is revamping my entire view on life and how to serve Him.  For the last several years, I have had the opportunity to be a leader in some fashion, either in ministry or other activites.  I think through those experiences, I developed an unhealthy dependence on who “God had made me” and my abilities and strengths.  Unfortunately, pride began to creep in and without recognizing it, I think I began to put confidence in my flesh.  Not that I was running from the Lord, but rather I wasn’t completely relying on Him.   

In the first week at the Institute, the Lord began to tear down those walls of independence and pride and began to remind me that my confidence should be in Him, not myself.  In Philippians 3 Paul reminds believers that we are the true circumcision and we should place no confidence in the flesh.  Though Paul, in the world’s eyes, had so much to boast about, he pleads that nothing is worth it in comparison to knowing Christ.  In Ephesians 2, Paul again reminds us that we have saved by grace through faith.  It has nothing to do with us!

Keith Chancey, the Institute president said once, “The only part you played in salvation was sin.  Everything else was Jesus Christ.”  How great to remember that we as believers have nothing to be prideful about!  We must be completely dependent on Him!

So, as God is tearing down those walls of pride, He is removing my confidence in the flesh.  Instead, He is reminding me of where my citizenship really is, in heaven.  A few weeks ago, we discussed Hebrews and the heroes of the faith.  I love what the author of Hebrews says of these heroes. 

“13All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

As this semester continues, my prayer is that the Lord would continue to uproot my confidence in my flesh and instead, through complete dependence,  place it solely in Him .  That I might then begin to consider myself an alien in this world and assume my role as a citizen of heaven, fixing my eyes on a country that God has prepared for me.

It’s Alive! It’s Alive!

 

 

Well, it is hard to believe that we have been here for almost 5 weeks now! Crazy how time flies! 

In the last 4 weeks, we have had numerous professors and discussed several issues. I’ve been really encouraged by all the classes and the unique friendships I’m building.  However, I feel like above all else, God is developing in me an undeniable passion for His Word!

Before I came to the Institute, I struggled to spend quality time reading my Bible everyday.  Usually, I would try to schedule time whenever I could ”pencil it in.”  When I would actually get around to reading, I found myself lost as to what to read and how to read it.  I avoided the Old Testament.  I mean, who knows what all that stuff is about? 🙂  I’d have much rather stuck to the New Testament.  At least it made a little more sense.  Most of the time, unfortunately, the words seemed to be lifeless.  Don’t get me wrong, there were definitely good times in the Word when God would speak.  But, overall, I think I felt no passion to study and know the Scriptures.  I didn’t understand how it all fit together, how it all really made sense.  I was apathetic and though I hated that fact, I really couldn’t seem to change it. 

Now, the way I read the Word has changed completely.  I’m starting to understand how it all fits perfectly together.  I’m realizing that the Old Testament is such an exciting part of the Bible, full of stories of God’s sovereignty and continued mercy and grace.  How cool is it that the Old Testament stories are “pieces of the puzzle” that lay the ground work for the coming of Christ ?  How fun is it that we can learn about our God through His promises and interaction with His chosen nation, Israel. 

A few weeks ago, I was studying Isaiah for our women’s bible study and was initially frustrated with how confusing Isaiah’s prophecies seemed.  Slowly though, the Lord opened my eyes to the prophecy of a Savior to come.  Honestly, my heart literally ached with passion to read more and have a better understanding of my God. 

I have come to realize that the Bible is not just a book.  It is the living Word, spoken by the God of the universe.  The God that created the heavens and the earth and who has spoken scripture TO US!  Read it! It will change your life!

It’s Me, or maybe my Twin Sister

The First Week

Hey ya’ll,

Sorry it has taken me so long to get going on this.  We are in the 4th week of the Institute and it has been nothing short of amazing.  I have been blown away at the amount of Bible teaching  we have received over the past four weeks.  One thing that has been really cool is how we have become such a unified group.  We have been camping, played a ton of games, and dug deep into God’s Word.  If you have questions please feel free to post on my blog as I want to keep you informed.

The Kanakuk Institute Blogs

Hey,

My name is Beth Powell and I am currently a student at the Kanakuk Institute.  I am going to be blogging all year to fill you, the prospective student, in on the happenings here at the Institute.  Hopefully I will be able to answer many of your questions and give you a picture of what a year at the Institute is like and what God has done in my life through this place.

Beth

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