Anyway, pick the appropriate message below as a conclusion to my $0.02 for today . I've kept all of you in my prayers so if you've got something specific that you want me to pray for, just ask!
If you're not done:
Keep up the good work! The break will feel SOOOOO good if you know that you didn't give up and instead put in that big push at the end!
If you are done:
Congrats! You survived the semester! May you have a wonderful holiday and safe travel to and from your destinations.
Peace.
-AMR
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A True Test
by Krishana Kraft
(from 12/14/01 Christianity Today teen newsletter)
A fresh stack of index cards, a pile of textbooks and hand-written notes from the semester covered my desk. It was that time once again--crunch time for semester exams. The next few days would be focused on recalling what I had learned and trying to memorize everything I hadn't absorbed.
I had always started my school year determined to study a little each week, but somehow those weekly study times piled up into one big, blow-out study session. (Not something I recommend.) Counting down the hours till test time, I'd spend my moments filling out every blank index card I could get my hands on. Once I accumulated a good stack, I would take a break from writing and start testing my memorization skills. It was amazing how much information I could cram into my brain, in such a short amount of time.
I felt like my brain could breathe again after I had released all of that stored information onto my test. I could now resume normal sleeping habits, eating habits (something besides cold pizza and Oreo cookies) and limiting my intake of Mountain Dew.
Yet, once that stored info was released on the test a lot of it seeped out of my brain forever. Why? Because I didn't take the time to really learn the information, but instead just memorized enough to hopefully pass the test.
Semester exams aren't the only tests I've taken in my lifetime. I have little "tests" every day-- decisions about how to treat other people, spend my time, or even trust God's faithfulness. The only way to pass these life "tests" is to really learn about love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, stewardship and trust. And your best study source? God's Word.
Psalm 119 talks a lot about the importance of God's Word in our daily lives:
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word" (119:9). "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (119:11). "I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path" (119:104). "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (119:105).
God's Word shouldn't be something we memorize just to recite back the correct answers. Instead it should penetrate our hearts and change our lives.
You never know when a true "test" of your integrity, faith or even forgiveness will arise. Instead of carrying around a stack of index cards with memory verses on them, let's hide God's Word in our hearts and really learn it. So, at any time or place we'll be prepared to take those "tests" and pass with flying colors.
Seize each day in his presence!
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