The Azusa Pacific Blog » graduate students

It’s a cohort Christmas!

Nick Karim — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:58:46 +0000

When students choose APU’s MBA and MA, Management cohort programs for recent college graduates, they are choosing to be part of tight-knit community of about 20 students who go to every class together. This community is the perfect place to spend a year in between college and career. Not only do we do every class, for a year, with our cohort, but many of us work together as well. This is a picture of two of my cohort friends and myself at an office Christmas party.

Tomorrow, our MBA cohort is having a Christmas celebration together before we all leave for Christmas break. Many of us will see each other over break but will miss the others, i’m sure. I don’t know if any other MBA students in the country are like ours but this is family and why not celebrate Christmas with your family.

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bfast and worship during class?

Nick Karim — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:20:30 +0000

What an awesome group of people I am blessed to go through the Young Executive MBA program with! Last Thursday, we accepted the exclusive invitation to join Anaheim’s mayor, Curt Pringle, for a morning of prayer and worship with Chris Tomlin. Because the prayer breakfast was during class time. Professor Ogunji postponed class for a couple hours so that we could make it.

MBA students with Chris Tomlin after worship!

Are we crazy?

Nick Karim — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:23:49 +0000

With the start of a new graduate term comes new classes, new professors, tons of work, and sleepless nights. Starting an MBA program right after graduating. Am I crazy? Why would I want more of the same? Why wouldn’t I go get some work experience first? Am I ready for this? My name is Nick Karim and i’m in the Young Executive MBA program. The program started in June, right after May graduation and seems to have flown by so far. As we start this new term I couldn’t be more excited. Thats right, EXCITED! I’m excited to go through this life changing program with some amazing people that have become my closest friends. This summer, I got to meet the 25 people that i’ll spend the next year with. We did a retreat together, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia together, and some us got to study in Brazil together. Excited is an understatement, with my new family around me I’m ready for the next step!

Light Brings Hope

Kevin Mannoia — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:13:00 +0000

You’ve heard it a thousand times. A small light in a dark place does amazing things to drive away the blindness. A little flame can illuminate a large cave. When the darkness is greatest, a tiny light does a lot of good. But more than simply illuminating the dark room, a small light brings huge hope – especially if you are trapped or lost in the darkness. Suddenly that small source of light becomes your lifeline. It gives you hope that not all is lost; that you can get out; that there is a future beyond your current circumstance. Light brings Hope! You are not trapped. There is a way out. And Jesus Christ – the Light of the world is like a flame of light in a cave of darkness. Not only will He reveal the hidden darkness of the place, but He will give you hope – hope and a future. Because Jesus has been raised from death, there is no darkness, no circumstance, no burden, no cave that is completely hopeless where He is present. Hope in the Light!

An Adventure

Kevin Mannoia — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:01:41 +0000

At holiday times we usually have activities that promote fun, celebration, and joy. Christmas decorations and gifts; New Year’s parties and noise makers; Easter services and egg hunts. The problem is, you may be so focused on engaging in the activities you miss the joy and meaning of the holiday itself. Likewise, you may be overworking yourself in pursuit of your education, promotion, recognition – and in the process miss the meaning of why you began. All of it is a gift from God. All of it finds meaning in Christ. Seek Him first, and all these things will find their proper place. When you seek God with all your heart you will find Him in all those activities – and they will bring fullness, meaning, and deep joy. Your life will be like a new adventure as you discover wonderful new things on the journey of seeking God.

Life Or Death Choices

Kevin Mannoia — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:23:37 +0000

Every day you make life or death choices! The first thing that comes to your mind is a huge decision where someone’s life hangs in the balance and you must choose rightly to save them or lose them. Well, not every “life or death” choice is that obvious or dramatic. You see, every day you make choices about many things – especially relational things or factors related to your everyday job. Each of those choices leads incrementally to life or to death. When you make a choice that closes the possibility of God’s grace to work and bring healing or wholeness, that’s a choice for death. When you make choices that allow for grace to continue working, inviting improvement, opening the chances for growth – that’s a choice for life. Every time you make a choice like this, you move incrementally along a path to one or the other. That’s why every decision you make is important. Listen to the nudge of the Holy Spirit, choose life!

When God’s Grace is Not Enough.

Kevin Mannoia — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:17:00 +0000

The Haitian people are in deep need. Can you imagine if we simply said that “God’s grace will be enough for them” and left it at that? In a case like this we are compelled to become the expression of God’s grace – a touch, presence, a word, food, generosity. In reality there may be many people around you – or you may be that person – who is in need. It may not be as visible, but it may be equally hurtful. For that person knowing that God’s grace is available to them is nice. But it still may not be enough. You may be the one who should become the expression of God’s grace to them. Perhaps a hand on the shoulder; a word of affirmation; looking them directly in the eye with a kind expression; or simply presence. It may sound heretical, but sometimes God’s grace is not enough. What is needed most is another person who becomes God’s grace incarnate – God’s hands and feet. That may be your calling this week. Don’t overlook the moment.

No Lists This Time…

Kevin Mannoia — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:07:46 +0000

So it’s here…Thanksgiving. Seems like just yesterday we were having Thanksgiving. Time seems to stand still. And since the last time you celebrated Thanksgiving perhaps not all that much has changed. You’re still struggling with value in your work; can’t seem to find the ‘bulls eye’ that gives you a deep sense of fulfillment; circumstances keep rocking your boat; the only difference this year is that you feel more tired, worn, and incapable. So here you are again, trying to do what is expected of you and come up with a list of reasons why you should be thankful. Sometimes you can’t. Trying to list them all feels bogus, false, pointless. Well, at the risk of offending you may I offer a suggestion? Don’t try. Forget the list. Instead, try quieting your heart; still your mind; center your soul. Stop talking. What you just might find in the middle of that moment is a deep and rising presence of God’s Spirit. Let it rise. Embrace it’s flood. Allow it to overwhelm you. Sense the friendship of Jesus. Where you are incapable of making a list of things to be thankful for, allow Him to simply show up. That’s all He wants. I guarantee, if you do that there will be no other possible response than simple, basic, pure thanks. Be still and be thankful!