Greetings, My Ladies!
I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello before I head off to my first day of classes. I’ve been in new student orientation the past several days but today is the real deal and I can’t wait! For those of you who care to know the details, I am working on a Th.M. (Master of Theology) in Biblical Studies at a local seminary just outside of Atlanta limits. This particular Th.M. is a one year advanced Master’s program for students who have already completed a Master’s degree within the field. There are only five of us in the Th.M. program! The program was right up my alley because it is primarily research oriented and I was looking for something that would help me really grow in my research and writing skills. Not to mention all of my Bible classes assume knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, so I will also grow further in my knowledge of the languages as well. Can’t beat that. My classes are the following: Romans, Th.M. Research Seminar, Exegesis of Mark, Christology, Theology of Isaiah and the Exile, and Song of Songs. Pretty sweet schedule, right? Oh, and did I mention that Columbia Theological Seminary is about ten minutes away…? That helped, too. Columbia is Presbyterian and since I am from a different denominational background it will make for a new kind of atmosphere for me. I am really looking forward to being a tad bit out of my comfort zone. Already I have met people from a very wide array of denominations.
We had chapel during orientation and so many things were different about the service. We had a liturgical reading and sang hymns I had never heard of and we did all this in a chapel with beautiful stained glass, a center aisle, and hard wooden pews. I took a few shots of the chapel yesterday because I thought it was so delightful.
But amidst all of the differences in the service, I couldn’t believe how many things were exactly the same. First off, the President of the seminary welcomed us during our chapel service with that old and very standard joke, “Welcome to Columbia Theological Cemetery!” If you have been to seminary, you know well how this joke is completely predictable and yet it works every time. Because, unfortunately, it is true. Seminary often ends up being a spiritually dry time unless a student is intentional about not letting it be so and this was exactly what Dr. Hayner preached about. His text was John 5.36-40, a text that has become so very dear to me over the years.
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
The part that really gets me is “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.” There was a long stretch of time during my first several years of theological education that I did not pray. At all. I sat in classes and sermons and rather than receiving the word of God, I listened for leaders to make a theological mistake. And then I would sit around with other students and we would talk about the theological mistakes and whatnot. And we did and said all of this in the name of piety. We would “humbly” explain how we revered the word of God and we didn’t want anyone distorting it or tainting it or mishandling it. Now, don’t get me wrong, those kind of statements are appropriate and noble but when you add a very hard heart, a critical spirit, and a lack of intimacy with God to it- well, it simply isn’t authentic and things go downhill. Very fast. Now this is not everyone’s experience but it was mine. For a season. Thank God He allowed me to live on. My Mom was the most instrumental person in my life in helping guide me out of that dry season. She would often say to me “this is not bearing good fruit in you, Darling… have you spent actual time with the Lord today?” I no longer had the love of God in my heart and it was starting to surface in the way I criticized and looked down on other people and in the way I neglected time with Jesus Himself (see John 5.42).
But the catch here is that during that dry season I was studying Scripture more intensely than I had ever studied it before. Yet I was no longer engaged with the One to whom Scripture points, Jesus. I was no longer receiving life itself. This is a good reminder for all of us who love to study Scripture and my heart leapt for joy when Dr. Hayner preached on this very issue during orientation. Those of us who tend to assume that our spiritual maturity is directly equal to how much Scripture we read on a particular day would do well to keep this verse at the forefront of our minds.
Now, I am not saying that a person can be spiritually mature without reading Scripture but what I am saying is that a person can study Scripture rigorously and not be spiritually mature. Indeed, Jesus said that a person can “diligently study” the Scriptures yet refuse to receive life in Him altogether. The difference here is profound and chilling. There is a right way to read the Scriptures and a wrong way- the wrong way is to read them spiritually detached from the One to whom they point. So, all this to say, I am looking forward to a year drenched in study of the Scripture but I am grateful for the warning and all I know is that I don’t want to go back to that dark place again.
I want to end this blog post with a poem that was also a part of our chapel service but coincidentally is a poem that one of my dear Professors from Wheaton used in his classes on the first day. It made me feel at home. You’ve probably heard it before but it blesses me anew each time I read it.
Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.
[Sir Francis Drake]
The Library… where I’ll be spending the bulk of my time. It is a pretty nice sized library for a small seminary. The Librarian told me that almost all of the shelves are Bible and Theology!
The side view of the Library…
Have a great Thursday! It’s almost the weekend! Don’t you love four day weeks…?
Love to you,
Melissa
Yay that you get to go to seminary!!! (Again! "Dear Lord, help me remember the 10th commandment"). You are a smart girl to go have fun working hard on this BEFORE God blesses you with little ones – because, while not impossible, it's tricky managing things like Christology and Sam I Am.
I can't wait to hear what fabulous things God has in store for you – so please don't be a stranger to Siestaville. I love your occasional Theology For The Laundry Laden posts (I obviously shouldn't speak for anyone else in Siestaville – but I can say for myself that laundry is my daily nemesis).
Have a blast and write often ~
Warm in Alaska.
(and please, esp. let us know how your SOS class proceeds)
Melissa, Thank you for sharing this warning with us…I needed to hear it.
What a blessing to be able to attend seminary in order to study God's Word! I would love to have that opportunity myself one day.
Plus…I LOVE libraries, too…have fun studying there.
Thanks for the testimony, Melissa! I too went through a dry period of time as a religion major in college, when I delighted to debate and discuss theology but not the one who gives life! Praise God, He doesn't leave us in the darkness of our sin, but continues to search us out! 1 Timothy 6:18-20 was an eye-opener for me at the end of that time.
I loved the pictures as well… they totally remind me of my beloved alma mater.
And to this I say, "You're mother must be so proud."
First of all, your words brought light. Second, I look at my young daughters growing up so daggone quick that I am begging time to slow itself….and I imagine as my days are filled with bras and training bras, friends and ex friends, panty liners, cell phones, text messaging and forward boys who call my house too often, "do I look fat in this" and "why is so and so at school so bratty, Mom?," lockers and lunches, grades and zits……..I imagine the day that I will have to let them leave our nest (the one whose carpets I DO like to vacuum lines in–and no Beth, I have never pointed a gun at any poor worker who came to ruin those lines with their shoes in innocent refusal to take them off–and the same house that ONLY my Lord God can hold together). I can't believe there will be a day when they will get to leave and make the choices you young adults get to make. I worry that I will be nominated "Biggest Whiner To God Cause My Kids Are Grown AND Had The Nerve To Move Out Award" and will be the woman who talks incessantly about grand babies and When they heck are my kids going to call so that I know they are fine?
But, should the day come that I open my laptop, to read a blog from my own daughter–whose fingers touched each key from her very own beautiful heart……………………………….that, my friend, is the day that my knees will go numb from the weight of my body on the ground as I cry out to our God in grateful adoration for the way He has held onto her when life told me I had to "let her go on her own."
Praise God for what it must feel like to your mother to read those words dated, "Thursday September 10, 2009." If not for the rest of us to be enlightened……you could say it was all for her. And, if it isn't obvious in your eyes and heart today why I would make the aforementioned statement, Melissa, some day when your arms hold a child of your very own–you will GREATLY understand….
May our Father continue to bless, hold and teach you, and may you continue to pass it on. Always be permeable to Him…………
With TOTAL love in Christ,
Becky Cain
I’m listening to your mom on Oneplace and the lesson is entitled “Wrestling with God.†She just made the statement, “has anyone lost their wonder?†I think if we dive too much into the Scripture that we miss the wonder of Him, then we’re missing Him. It reminds me of when you’re mom wrote about eating the seed and sowing the seed. I’ll never forget that as long as I live because too many times I was just eating the seed thinking that would satisfy this hungry soul. Thank you Melissa, for your incredible testimony of God’s faithfulness in pursuit of us.
~Amy
Thanks so much for sharing, and I LOVE the ending…I wanted to be disturbed (and in a good way!)
🙂
Living vicariously through you…way to seize the time without lots of home responsibilities. Keep sharing your thoughts, they are such fun!
That looks like a beautiful place to spend your days studying, learning, and meditating on scripture. Good luck with everything!
Melissa, have a wonderful time in Seminary!! the campus is beautiful! Please share with us things you are learning, it sure would be awesome to get treasures alongside you!
Hope to meet you one day for real, you are a treasure!
I love school. I spent quite a bit of time there myself! When I finished and started working a part of me felt so empty. I missed the campus, the library, the pursuit of pure knowledge! Thank the good Lord above he filled that space–with himself. Now I fill up on him and fill the need to learn with tons of good bible study! Thank you for so beautifully articulating the need to learn, study, and gain knowledge as well as having that experience not just be acedemic, but drawing closer to him at the same time. May God bless you in your classes! Highlight, outline, and study all night for all of us who would love to be where you are at:)
I am so jealous (not of the homework of course) yet, also so excited for you. You are such a wonderful young woman. Jesus is evident in your life and your an inspiration to all of us. I hope your first day is great!
Melissa, what an awesome post! Thank you. I love hearing what God is doing and how He is at work in your life. Your pursuit of excellence is so encouraging. My middle daughter, Allison, just began her studies at Dallas Theological Seminary for a master of Biblical Counseling. She is loving her classes. I know she will want to read your post. She will be 23 tomorrow,9/11. You are a great witness and being a great example of 2Timothy 1:14 – guarding the good deposit that was entrusted to you. Thank you so much for all that you and your family do.
P.S. We loved getting to meet your mom and Michelle in the Albuquerque airport after the conference.
Hey there friend, I loved your post. That is so true and something I am challenged with in my seminary classes as well. But on a more trivial note, it is your first week of school…and that begs the question…did you get a new "school outfit" for that first day???!!!??
This is so good Melissa. Praying for an incredible school year!
(The pictures are incredible!! What a beautiful place to study.)
Blessings,
stephanie
Melissa, you probably get tired of hearing it, but thank you for sharing. The photos are beautiful but the poem WOW now that was amazing. Praying God's blessing on you as you begin this new venture.
Whoa—
you go girl!
Becky
I know you hear this a lot but I just love you girls and how real you all are! Your testimonies have tought me so much about being a Godly Christian woman. I can be real and not so religious or a legalist! Even if I didn't realize I was at first. I have been so inspired to seek after the Lord. Your passion for Him is contagious!
I know this is dumb but sometimes I would think, "man, if my mom was Beth Moore I would be SO much closer to the Lord." It's nice to know that you have struggled with the same things that I have.
Thank you for being so open!
This post was awesome! Loved that poem. And the campus is beautiful. So happy for you! Enjoy your studies!
What a poignant poem. Thank you for being so honest about the dry season and the critical spirit. That has plagued this sister too. Also wanted to say glory up for your heart to so diligently study God's word. You will be teaching us for generations to come. Thank you for being faithful. Happy semester to you.
i appreciate you sharing your heart about the legalistic study of God's word. i had a similiar experience (not that i know greek or hebrew) but i got very interested in theology to the point that i neglected my relationship with the Lord. thanks for the reminder that our "religion" can even become a god to us.
Melissa,
Thank you so much for your post. I, too, have been in a dark place even though I was "in the Word." In my experience, it was not a very loving place on my part. Since I love Bible study, my prayer is that I don't fall prey to becoming lifeless. Can't wait to see how your studies progress!
Melissa,
How exciting….the interesting part of your post to me was the fact that in the last 3 weeks you are the third person to comment on caution needed when we fall in love with Bible Study as opposed to falling in love with Bible Author….I know from all of your mom's words of wisdom that God is allowing me a big "heads up" right now as I hear the same POINT over and over, so warning taken and I'm on alert to be very cautious and keep the big picture in balance….isn't it so fun to share your excitement about school and find out God used it for something so serious in another's life…..He is SO AMAZING! I am in awe at how he takes a "sister/siesta" that I've never met and knit her words into the third red flag for me lately…your words were used greatly today for "such a time as this."
ENJOY your time though, as you may have guessed, I'm envious of your experience and totally understand how exciting this must be. I would have to agree with your sister, your writing is quite excellent!
Be blessed in your pursuit of Him.
Leslie
Apple Valley, MN
I really enjoyed this post! I love how you are willing to get out of your comfort-zone. I'm glad God is providing you with this opportunity to enrich your mind and soul. Look forward to hearing more!
WOW! That schedule sounds CRAZY hard (but theology classes were the hardest for me when I went to DTS!) I hope you have a wonderful time!
Melissa,
What a wonderful post! You have opened my eyes anew in HOW I study God's word…. its not enough just to go thru the motions (and I knew that) but to have the 2-way conversations for the full benefit and JOY of study.
Blessings to you! You have inspired me…. again!
thanks!
PS…. I LOVED the pictures!
Thanks for posting this poem, and letting us have a peek into your first day – I agree with Amanda, you are indeed an excellent writer. Blessings to you as your dig deeper.
Thank you for that testimony. I too find myself sometimes so absorbed in the Scriptures I will realize I have not had a time with God where I am listening, praising, and thanking him. Blessings! I hope this semester you will find Him in unexpected places!
Your post is so timely Melissa. I love to study too, and more recently have been headed down that road you described. Thank you for your poem "Disturb Us, Lord" I needed to be reminded. Have a great time in your studies.
It looks like a beautiful place to be from your pics.
Melissa,
I live in North Alabama and I have been thinking and asking God about taking some extension classes offered in B'ham through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I've never cared much about studying God's Word until this past year when He totally lit a fire in me to want to know it. I'm still not sure if this is more a crazy dream of mine or if its His dream for me, but what you stated that happened to you is one of my main hesitations in going forward in it (not to mention that all the classes could be waaaay over my blonde head). I am so prone to know more ABOUT Him, than to allow what I know about Him to lead me to know Him for myself in a deeper and more intimate way. Its so cool that you gave this scripture that speaks directly to that. Thank you for telling your testimony about this, I needed to hear this…
Love you, KT
I could cry over that library….
Melissa,
Thanks for sharing from your heart – I can relate – when we're "all about God", yet not about Him at all! You touched a heart string in me. We can get so busy teaching, studying, reading, speaking and hearing about Him – yet fail to make Him the center of our lives and what we focus on. I will be thinking of you as you study and look forward to your "writings" – they do a body good!
Betsy
I loved this. I cut and pasted the poem "Disturb Me" and have sent that to my buddies. What an excellent reminder, that we can know the bible but miss out on the message.
Thoughtful post. And fantastic pictures! Praying that God uses you in amazing ways this year as you continue to seek Him with all your heart, as well as your mind. 🙂
I unfortunately am committing the sin of jealousy!!!! I am SO excited for you and your adventure. May you be like the man who inspired your mom….who cried while reading the Word of God because it was so very dear to him….may these classes cause The Word to continue to touch your very soul.
Thank you, Melissa, for sharing the poems, Scripture, your thoughts and pictures. I love the buildings. Best of blessings to you as you embark on your new educational and spiritual journey. May you grow more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.
Have a great year! I think your classes sound fantastic! A class on Romans! – is it appropriate for me to be a wee bit jealous?! I've started an in-depth Bible overview study this Fall and I am really looking forward to it. God's shown me that it's what I need right now. I'm feeling called into a season of more rigorous study myself right now and the Scripture you posted from John resonated strongly with me. I plan to copy it into the front of my study text so I can remember what exactly my purpose is in doing the class! blessings on your studies!
Dear Melissa,
Your enthusiasm is contagious and your love for God and His Word so evident. I can't wait to read more of your posts as you progress through your studies. Thanks for sharing the poem.
God Bless!
Oh I love your classes…Romans and Isaiah, especially at the level at what you are studying. Yes, that is a pretty sweet schedule!!
Please share often….:)
It is so fun to hear your enthusiasm come through about studying and working on your Th.M.
W ell Ican't say that I perconally excited about going back to school but I do love understanding the Word better. That's why I love your mom's studies.
Are you sure you are not at ASU Mtn. Home, the campus looks very much like it!
Study hard, enjoy and take a break every now and then.
Enjoy this season in your life!!!! How awesome to have the opportunity to pursue an area that you are so passionate about….isn't it just like Jesus to give us the desires of our heart????
Melissa –
Though I absolutely love what the Lord brings to me when your mamma is speaking, and I so appreciate all that Amanda has done to create this wonderful place where we can be Siestas, you are my rock star! Your transparency about your walk with Jesus gives me great and awesome hope.
I have thought that studying the words in the Book was equal to relationship with the WORD! Whoa…big difference; but not exclusive! Now I won't have to fall into that dry well again.
Thank you! Thank you! You have lifted me up.
Love you all lots and lots!
Tam
Amen, Melissa. I have just come out of a very dry season requiring me to study the Scriptures as work, but not having my parched soul quenched because of my approach. Thanks for the great encouragement and may the Lord be with you in your studies.
Tear it up, girl! And I'll hold it down in Boston and we should make plans to convene at SBL in New Orleans.
I remember feeling the same way when my little Baptist self went into a Presbyterian church with my new hubby 13 years ago. Wow. There were a lot of differences, we now attend an EPC Presbyterian Church, which is a good blend for us. I LOVE the differences, as it pulls out the "same" things about all of us. We worship one God, one Christ, one Spirit, we are one body, you know the verse. I hope your days in seminary will be intriguing, challenging, and NOT spiritually dry. Hang in there, your classes sound HARD to me!
w
Girl…you spoke right to where I am TO-day! God is encouraging me at every turn and your post is no different. I'm printing out the poem for every nook in my house!
Wow-thank for sharing your dry season. You so clearly speak to the hearts of us all. The pictures are beautiful-I think I would love studying there myself!!
May God richly bless you this year in knowledge and growth in the King Almighty!!!!!!
Blessings,
Jennifer
what an encouraging post.
I don't get to learn or study like I want to; but to be reminded that actually knowing Jesus is worth so much more means a lot to me in my current season.
SO excited for you and this year. I hope your eyes of your heart become more enlightened and that you grown in knowledge and in depth of insight; and that we can all benefit from all you learn (is that pressure or a selfish request/statement?!?!)
Best wishes with lots of prayer!!
rachel
Good word Melissa! Knowledge by itself just puffs up us and makes us of no use at all. God always resists the proud and knowing the words of the WORD is not the same as knowing what it says. Jesus will say to some who think they know Him well, depart for I never knew you…… I am SURE this is not you, Jump in the deep end..the living water is fine!!! Oh how I wish I could afford formal training in Hebrew and Greek, learning on my own I am afraid there are many gaps in my knowledge. Shalom Don't you just love a beautiful chapel?
Blessings and STAMINA to you for this year, Melissa! It looks like a beautiful place to learn, grow and worship. Thank-you for your honesty.
Melana
My heart is so full. How our God can do a common work among people who are hundreds or thousands of miles apart overwhelms me. God has used this post very specifically. Oh my passion for an intimacy with such an infinite God. I too love His word, but I've been tempted by the increase in knowledge and understanding which at times begins to override the relational. How I praise Him for speaking to my heart. I am more aware at this point in my life than ever before the enemies efforts to pervert the message of love and relationship. The enemy is so cunning especially among God's children; he wants to stop the Truth. Let's keep on seeking Him with all our heart.
Striving to seek Him with all my heart.
My heart is exploding with a thousand feelings. Call me as soon as you leave class!