The Azusa Pacific Blog
Thoughts, ideas, and information from APU students, faculty, and staff
Archive for the ‘Student Life’ Category
Peace Be With You!
Kevin Mannoia Monday, April 22nd, 2013
A lot of times you hear people say “peace be with you.” You may even pray or wish for peace in your own life or someone who is a close friend. Of course it’s easy to assume that the peace you hope for is simply a smooth day or a week without trouble. In fact, peace is a whole lot more than the absence of hardship or hurt. In reality peace at its best and fullest is the presence of Christ. Where Christ is, there is perspective, there is wholeness, there is fullness. There still may be hardship, but you still are able to live in peace — because Christ is with you. So, my prayer for you this week is simple — peace be with you!
If you have prayer requests, please feel free to send them to me. Our Prayer Partners are praying for you each week. I will include your request for them.
Blessings and Peace!
Kevin
Response
Kevin Mannoia Tuesday, April 16th, 2013
The patterns that you set in motion for your academic program are now well underway and in most cases cannot be substantially changed. Like a lot of things in your daily life, it requires more response than direction. You respond to the expectations of your professor, other students, and the syllabus. So while you are walking through your day today and your week, be reminded that one way or the other, you will pass through the events that are occurring. The question is, how will you respond? You can chafe and strain, or you can release and absorb. One will raise your anxiety, lower your tolerance, and close your life down. The other will reduce frustration, increase learning, and open you to deep growth. Embrace the moments and allow the quiet peace of Jesus Christ to settle your own heart and salt the moments as they approach.
If you have any prayer requests, please feel free to send them and I will share them with our Prayer Partners who pray daily for you. And join other graduate/adult students at: www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest.
Blessings on your day and week,
Kevin
One Piece at a Time
Kevin Mannoia Monday, March 18th, 2013
The homeowner began his project. He was putting trim molding around the ceiling of his family room. He had to measure and cut small pieces to fit around the large beams, corners, and angles of the room. He began with one piece that fit just right into a small space and nailed it in place. Then he cut the next, and the next all around the room. Each piece was cut to fit perfectly and nailed in place connected to the previous piece. One piece at a time he worked his way around the room until it was complete. And it looked great. Can you imagine what would have happened if he had tried cutting all the pieces at once? What a mess it would have been.
Every experience you have is like a piece of molding that is being fit to frame your life. You can’t jump ahead. Tomorrow’s experiences will be based upon today. If you let Christ measure your attitude and fill your behavior with His grace, one moment will build on the next. One piece at a time the Master Carpenter will frame your life in grace, kindness, effectiveness and wholeness so that you will reflect His vision for you!
If you have any prayer requests, please send them to me and I’ll ask our Prayer Partners to pray. And feel free to check in with other students at: www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest.
Blessings,
Kevin
Tapestry of Wholeness
Kevin Mannoia Monday, March 11th, 2013
You’ve probably heard the phrase a thousand times, “you never know!” With all the variables that are at work surrounding your daily choices you may always wonder, “Is it right?” “Did I choose well?” – Whether you are deciding how to use your time, how to respond to your daughter or son, or even how to react to hard news from a friend or employer. You may try to anticipate the outcome and attempt to shape your action to control it. May I urge you, however, to treat each moment as a gift from God. Embrace it fully and act authentically in it. Don’t be distracted by attempting to second guess your decisions and manipulate your circumstances. Your goal is to reflect Christ well in each moment trusting that the Lord of your life will weave those authentic moments together in a beautiful tapestry of wholeness that gives your life meaning.
If you have any prayer requests, our Prayer Partners would love to pray for you. Just send me a note and I’ll invite them to pray. And I hope you will connect with other graduate and professional students at: www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest.
Blessings,
Kevin
Scattered Showers
Kevin Mannoia Monday, March 4th, 2013It may be pouring rain at your house as you leave for work or school. And it’s hard to believe that the sun is actually shining anywhere nearby. But as you arrive at the campus or in your parking lot at work, you look around and suddenly realize that there is no rain; everything is dry, and the sun is actually out! It’s what the weatherman calls “scattered showers”.
Your life is much more than the isolated shower you might be living under right now. Sure, school might be particularly tough; a relationship at work may be challenging; or anxiety about one of your children has gripped your heart. But that isolated shower does not mean that everything in your life is gloomy. Think about the blessings God has put in your path – your job, the encouraging word from a friend, the reminder of Jesus’ proximity to you. All of those things are God’s way of reminding you that His grace is at work all around you – even though you may be under an isolated shower for the moment.
If you have a prayer request or you would like a Chaplain to contact you, please let me know. Our Prayer Partners will be praying for you and our Chaplains stand ready to encourage you with the good news of God’s love.
Blessings,
Kevin
Visit: www.facebook.com/groups/apusoulquest
Embrace the Moment!
Kevin Mannoia Monday, February 25th, 2013
I trust your week is beginning as beautifully as the weather! Have you even noticed? Don’t miss it. With all you have going on, you may be breathless just trying to keep up with your schedule — work, kids, home, school, social life. In it, you may find your mind is one or two steps ahead of your body, always anticipating what you need to do next. May I urge you to find God in the present. Let your mind be where your body is. In that moment, God wants to give you abundance. If you are with family, savor it. If you are studying, embrace it. If you are at work, throw yourself into it. Let the Present be sacred, for it is a gift of God to you.
If you have a prayer request, please feel free to send it to me. Our Prayer Partners will pray for you!
Blessings on you today,
Kevin
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