Baccalaureate 2014 #1

We have completed graduation week and I have a lot of pictures to post. Since this is the highlight of the school year you will get to see as many of them as I can post. The blurry ones are from my phone (sorry). The really good ones are from Billy Edwin and from Joyce. I also snatched a few from students’ Facebook pages. This year our baccalaureate was held at Bayview Church and our thanks to them for donating the facility for our use. I think the graduates did a great job organizing the service.It was a very nice evening.

 

Pastor Kevin Elwell from Bayview was the keynote speaker

The student body sang for the graduates

Shelter Alokoa read the senior verse Colossians 2.6

PIU student Frankie Lake was the master of ceremonies

We had a good group of family and friends out for the service

Chuuk Trip

Last week Dr Sam Mabini, PIU Provost, and I were back in Chuuk to continue work on our program to help Chuuk Department of Education teachers with degree completion. The US Department of Interior has mandated that all public school teachers there have an AA degree by the end of 2015 and a BA by 2018. We are planning to have a summer intensive session for the Chuuk teachers on the Guam campus and then follow up by providing ongoing classes at the Faithwalk Christian College campus on Tol island and in the Chuuk capital on Weno. We are also excited about the plans to offer PIU classes again at our teaching facility at FCC. I was able to get a couple pictures of the islands from the air as we prepared for landing in Chuuk (one of the scariest landings I have ever experienced, by the way).

Our main purpose in going to Chuuk this time was to offer our PIU entry test to the Chuuk teachers for the summer program and meet with Chuuk DOE administration to plan the program. We tested 14 teachers and 15 Chuuk High School seniors on Thursday morning.

On Friday afternoon we headed across the lagoon to Faithwalk Christian College on Tol to see the campus and meet with the seniors there.

We enjoyed meeting with the seniors at FCC. Most of them told us that they plan to come to PIU this coming Fall

Saturday morning we tested two more teachers and three seniors from Mizpah High School.

On the left is a picture taken from my room at the Truk Stop Hotel and, on the right, the Truk Stop boat dock. We are thankful to Bill and Kiki Stinnett, owners of the Truk Stop, for their support of PIU.

Staff Appreciation Dinner

Last Tuesday night was our annual staff appreciation dinner. We are so thankful for our staff and faculty who go above and beyond to serve our students. This year we held the event at the Delmonico’s Restaurant in the Bayview Hotel. The food was excellent. We specially recognized our people that will be leaving us after this year: Larry and Sharon Bock and Anne Stinnette. We also recognized our volunteers. About 40% of our staff are volunteers. We could not accomplish our mission without them. It was a fun night and a good way to say thank you to everyone for a job well done in 2013-14. (sorry about the fuzzy pictures – I think my phone camera may be dying)

Last Class of the Semester

The Spring semester is officially over. May 3rd was the last official day of the Spring 2014 semester. The scramble to get all the assignments in and get all the final exams done is completed. My seminary class and undergrad class had their last class meeting last Monday night. As is our tradition we met at my house and shared a meal together. This semester I taught Old Testament History at the 100 level and Old Testament Survey at the 500 level. When the material in the class overlapped both classes met together. I enjoyed both classes. I think the students learned a lot and I always get something out of their discussions and papers too. I am looking forward to teaching Exegesis in Hebrews in the Fall.

We finished the evening with a lively discussion about the main themes of the Old Testament. We talked about how the basic worldview of the Old Testament impacts our lives and answer the big questions about who we are, what we are supposed to be doing, and what are the solutions to the problems we face. All the students shared about the personal impact the class has had on their lives. It was a fun evening.

This Week in the Psalms #4 (82-105)

Many of the Psalms this week highlight the truth, that though humans have messed up this earth with their sin, violence, greed and oppression; its beauty, order and variety still reflect and give testimony to his greatness and glory. They reflect on the seeming disparity between the promises of God and the experience of suffering we have now as the people of God. But these Psalms assure us that God rules now and will complete the return of his righteous kingdom to earth. We wait for his kingdom now by faithfully serving the Messiah (King Jesus) and bringing a “preview” of his kingdom, by our actions, to the world in the power of His Spirit.

God, you have set things things right in heaven, but right now, your people on earth suffer from oppression. Come take charge and set things right for the poor and powerless and judge their oppressors. Psalm 82

As God has taken care of the enemies and oppressors of his people in the past, he will do it again. He is, and will be, Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83

The greatest possible blessing is the presence of, and relationship with, God. Everything else flows from that. Psalm 84

Ultimately good will come and will triumph because God is good. Someday all creation will reflect his character.  Psalm 85

We can be confident that God will rule and set things right. But we can also be confident that God is faithfully working in our lives right now in this broken world. Psalm 86

God's people, gathered from all over the world into one, are an eternal people. Psalm 87

In our hardest,darkest and loneliest times we can cry out to God and He hears us. Even when it feels like he doesn't, he does. Psalm 88

God's absolute faithfulness to his covenant and unmatched power that created the universe assure us that his plan to make his Messiah ruler of the world and bless his people will be successful. The sins and shortcomings of God's people cannot prevent this. Even the fact that everyone dies is no obstacle. Psalm 89

Wisdom teaches us that our lives are short, full of difficulty and we don't accomplish what we should. It is relationship with God that gives our lives meaning, beauty and purpose, even beyond this life. Psalm 90

The world is a dangerous place, but the one who trusts the Lord does not need to fear. When God is the focus of life, He is also the protector of life. All his kingdom resources will be applied to assure your salvation and kingdom blessing.  Psalm 91

It is good to take a regular time to focus on God and what he has done for us. It gives us a proper perspective on life and improves our health and well-being. Psalm 92

YHWH rules. He is in control of this chaotic world and we can trust what he says about it. Psalm 93

YHWH is a just God and sees what the wicked and oppressors do. He will judge them according to what they have done and rescue his people, who trust him, from their hands.  Psalm 94

God is ruler and creator of everything. The proper response is worship and submission to his ways. Rebellion brings strife and judgment. Worships puts us in tune with God's plan for the universe.  Psalm 95

Praise and worship God because of his character and actions. Let everyone know he is coming to rule rightly and judge justly.  Psalm 96

Give thanks and praise God because he rules over the spiritual world. His coming to judge this world should make us glad because he protects those who trust him and he brings joy to those who follow his way. Psalm 97

Sing to YHWH with all kinds of music to announce his amazing deeds and rule. Psalm 98

Trust and praise God because he has a track record of holiness, wisdom, forgiveness and deliverance in Israel's history. Psalm 99

Serve God enthusiastically. He made us and will take care of us. His character and promises guarantee it. Psalm 100

Because of God's love and promises I will live a life of integrity, honesty and service. Lord may I love the things you love and hate the things you hate. Psalm 101

Prayer: God, I am suffering, lonely and destitute. My life is short and difficult but you live forever. Make your promised kingdom come quickly. Set things right. I know you hear my prayer and will bless your people forever. Psalm 102

Everyone should praise God because we are his created children. He places us in covenant relationship with him based on his compassionate forgiveness of our sins. He rules and will extend this relationship into eternity. Psalm 103

God's glory is seen in the beauty, variety and order of creation. The world is created and sustained by God in a way that meets the needs of all his creatures. Praise God, enjoy his world and look forward to its renewal that will make this world even better. Psalm 104

Use all the means you have (song, spoken word, prayers, drama etc.) to remember the story of how God has worked in the past. Remember how he has brought you through trouble, given you joy and peace, sustained you in trial, shown his presence to you and to the world around you, kept his covenant promises and provided for you. Praise God. Psalm 105

Pictures From Courage’s 6th Birthday

I am just back from Chuuk and have not been able to post anything the last few days. (Internet is still very slow in Chuuk.). I had a great trip there and will post about it soon. In the meantime I need to get caught up on what has been going on here in the last week. Last Sunday afternoon we celebrated Courage’s 6th birthday with a party at Mike and Sam’s house. With all the rain and swimming pool activity it was a water themed party, although the official theme was “Hello Kitty.” We enjoy watching our grandkids grow up even thought it seems to happen too fast.

The house was decorated and the guests were arriving

The first item on the agenda was blowing out the candles on the cupcakes

This was accomplished successfully and the cupcakes were served

It was a rainy day, but that does not stop outside water play on Guam. This was the most popular activity of the day. The blow-up pool was one of our gifts to Courage. We pray the dogs don’t bite it this time!

Then it was time to open presents

Courage modeled each present for us after she opened it

I think everyone had a good time

PIU Graduation Activities

Please join us for our commencement exercises Monday at 6 PM at the Top O’ the Mar on Nimitz Hill. The baccalaureate service will be at Bayview Church at 1 PM on Sunday the 4th.