The Azusa Pacific Blog
Thoughts, ideas, and information from APU students, faculty, and staff
Archive for January, 2013
Goals
Kevin Mannoia Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
When you began your academic program, you had some kind of goal in mind. A new job, a promotion, a larger pay check or some intrinsic desire to know more or develop personally. I suppose there are even some who simply like the idea of having letters after their name. That’s okay. It’s an image they seek to live up to. Whatever the reason, I do hope that your program and experience here at APU will help you to achieve those goals – whatever they were. More than that, though, I pray that you will be open to the possibility that in addition to goals that YOU have for your life, God may also have some goals for your life. I do not presume to tell you what those are, but I or any of our chaplains would love to explore that with you if you are not sure. In any case, I hope that you will consider the possibility that God has some goal in mind for you. What a wonderful journey to discover and embrace that too.
Please let me know if you have a prayer request. We will pray for you.
Blessings,
Kevin
www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest
Object of Your Affection
Kevin Mannoia Monday, January 14th, 2013
He went car shopping and found one that was absolutely cool! And to make things even better, it was actually within reach financially. From that point on for a few days he could think of nothing but that car, what it would be like to drive it, how it would shape his image, and what he needed to do to get the financing and buy it. It became the object of his affection. His daily routine revolved around the task of making it work; his conversations quickly slid into discussions of the process of purchasing it. His life seemed to revolve around his affection.
So what’s the object of your affection these days? Of course there will be times when it changes – perhaps today it’s your new job, or the pay increase, or the upcoming vacation, or even a new home. These are all temporary and one will quickly give way to the next. While they are wonderfully fun, they are only a shadow of the constancy of Jesus Christ. Above all the other passing things, set your affection on Jesus. Amazing how your conversation, schedule, priorities and thinking will soon point to Him – the object of your affection!
If you have prayer requests, send them to me and our Prayer Partners will pray for you!
Blessings on you today,
Kevin www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest
Kevin www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest
One Missing Piece
Kevin Mannoia Tuesday, January 8th, 2013
The mother and daughter spent part of their vacation time working on the 2000 piece puzzle. After the daughter went back to work, the mom completed it – except for one piece that she could not find anywhere! And the puzzle wasn’t finished without it. A few days later, the daughter texted her, “Oh, by the way, I hid one piece of the puzzle!” She proceeded to provide the last piece that finished it and made the picture complete.
Your life is like 2000 pieces of a puzzle. And at times you may wonder how it all fits together. And there’s a piece that seems to elude you. Then Jesus shows up and puts the one missing piece in place – and it all fits. Not that He’s hiding it from you, but perhaps faith is built in the times where the piece is missing. Can you trust Him to bring that one piece to connect it all? Whether you see the complete picture of your journey or not Christ is walking with you and in unexpected ways puts the one missing piece in place to make things come together. Keep walking in faith!
If you have a prayer request, please hit reply and our Prayer Partners will pray for you.
And join others in SoulQuest at: www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest
Blessings,
Kevin