The Azusa Pacific Blog
Thoughts, ideas, and information from APU students, faculty, and staff
Kevin Mannoia’s Archive
Broken Resolutions
Tuesday, February 19th, 2013
It’s easy to make resolutions that are full of good intentions for better behavior. Goals, projects, and great ambitions. Within a couple of months after New Year’s, though, they can become overloaded with the reality of daily living. Don’t be surprised if after a few weeks the luster of new resolutions becomes a bit dull. The one thing that does NOT need to grow dull, however, is the character that is in you. As you allow Christ to become a part of your life in every circumstance, each day, He will shape you more and more into His image. Your faith in Christ is not something that happens only when you make a resolution. It goes on. The effect of a transformed character will influence everything you do whether it is a new resolution, or an old circumstance you’ve been struggling with for months. Faith in Christ is a daily walk of trust and confidence that He who has begun a good work in you will keep doing it until it is complete. Trust Him!
If you have a prayer request, send it to me and I’ll will ask our Prayer Partners to pray for you.
Feel free to join other graduate and adult students atwww.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest
Blessings,
Kevin
Two People
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Everybody is looking at you in some way — what you are wearing, what you are doing, how you are speaking, how you interact with others, how you do your job, even what you eat. Everything they think about you is based upon what they see. There are two people, though, who see farther — you and God. An audience of two. The two of you are the only ones who know whether what others see is really a reflection of what is inside. And God is interested in helping you be sure that what is inside is strong, healthy, and Christ-like. If it is, then what everybody else sees will reflect that. Remember that who you are is more important than what you do.
If you have a request for prayer, let me know so our Prayer Partners can pray for you.
Blessings,
Kevin
www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest
Pause
Monday, February 4th, 2013
Moments of pause are often thought of as what follows a crisis. Something dramatic happens and it “gives you pause.” If often means something bad, or heart-stopping. Mostly, though, it is a break, a diversion, a moment when you can center your thinking, your emotions, your spirit and be reminded of what is truly important. Obviously life must go on, but don’t lose the opportunity to take a breath, do something different, and reflect on the love of Christ for you. Let that pause deepen you. It may only be for 5 or 15 minutes, but don’t overlook the power that it can have in your soul. Take 15 minutes and go to a park, sit in your easy chair, wait in your car, walk on the beach — something that is different. And in so doing let Christ fill the pause with His love for you, and the grace that feeds your spirit.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests. Our Prayer Partners are happy to pray for you.
Blessings,
Kevin
www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest
Goals
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
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
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
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