Student Devotion Week 7: Physical Opposition: Peter, John, and the Sandhedrin

Key Verse: "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39 At the entrance to the Colosseum in Rome stands a huge iron cross. It was erected to commemorate the countless number of Christians who were killed for sport in that place and throughout the Roman Empire. Scary as it may seem, throughout history people have given their lives just for claiming to be Christians and refusing to deny Jesus. And while the Colosseum may seem millions of miles away from your daily life, persecution and death are a present-day reality for many Christians around the world today. Peter and John knew this kind of persecution. In Acts 4:1-12 they were thrown in Jail just because they were preaching the gospel. And that was just the beginning. Our lives may never be at risk simply because we're Christians. But one of the things we'll have to deal with is opposition. Jesus said that since people hated him, they'd also hate us for no other reason than because we love God. It seems odd, but it happens. You've probably already experienced people excluding you or making fun of you just for your beliefs. This week we're going to look at some responses to physical threats and how we can best use these situations to be witnesses for Christ.

Hey everybody...

Hey Gang...this is Phil Smith '94 and I have finally got the blog thing to let me in and let me post. I can't make the dinner on Feb. 3 but hope to attend or maybe even host an event in the near future. I am living in Burlington, NC and work at Elon University in the position of Assistant Chaplain & Director of Religious Life. I have been here since August, after about 9 years in Georgia. It's great to be back in the Tar Heel State! Big thanks to Christy for setting this up. I'll be back to post more and catch up on everybody.

BSU Update - Carlene

Finally learned how to get on this thing! :) I have enjoyed catching up with all of your stories and look forward to staying in touch with you before our next reunion in 2009! Most of you know that I have been with BSU for over 19 years and I wouldn't trade one minute of it. I have been blessed more than I deserve just from knowing you guys. BSU had a really good Fall semester. We sponsored a Christian recording artist by the name of Shawn McDonald and 750 people showed up at Kenan Auditorium! It took a lot of work but the BSU group didn't seem to mind the hard work. It was a good Christian testimony for the campus. For those of you who have not seen the new student center (they closed down the University Union)...the Fisher Center has a huge movie theater in it and we publicized our concert over the pre-movie commercials. We had a very nice Fall retreat to Fort Caswell with the theme "Listening to God". Most of you remember our Fall retreats....they continue. Our Winter Retreat will be at Holden Beach again, close to home for me. We continue to be asked back to lead one of the coveted Spring Flings at Fort Caswell. This year will be April 13-15. I have fond memories of each of you listed on this blog. I hope more will join in. Thank you for what you meant to BSU and thank you for what you mean to me. In Christian love, Carlene Evans Holden

If you're ever in Nashville

It is so Great to read about what is going on with you guys. I'm still in Nashville. I e-mailed Christy last week and mentioned how hard it is to recap so many years in one e-mail. But, it is good to take a moment to look back where you've been. I moved to Nashville June of '95. I didn't know a sole. Luckily I found a friendly Church to plug into and made friends. The first few years I worked for Una Baptist Church's before and after school program and Summer Camp. Also during that same time I held internships at Magnaton Records, Moriane Music Group, and EMI Music. At EMI I worked for Mark Bright, who at the time was BlackHawk's producer. I never told him about singing BlackHawk songs Karaoke style a Hieronymus Seafood. After that I began working for the YMCA as an assistant sports director. Then in '99 I recorded a CD called "No One Wants To Be Lonely." When I received them from the manufacturers they had abbreviated the content of the box "Griffin, No One Wants....." Fortunately that wasn't true. For the next two years I toured around the Southeast playing coffee shops and bookstores. It was fun, but didn't pay much. After that I started working at Lowes home improvement and also back at the YMCA on weekends. I'm currently waiting to hear back for a position working with Active Older Adults at the YMCA. I do a lot of writing and I'm STILL pursuing a writing deal. I've had the good fortune to collaborate with some #1 songwriters over the years. In 2005 I was awarded "Song of the Year" in New Zealand for a song recorded by and co-written with Great American Country's Kylie Harris. And no, I didn't get to go. I got a new computer for Christmas and now have songs up on myspace if anyone would like to check them out. Hope this will be a great year for everyone and I look forward to hearing from you all soon. Love, John Griffin

www.myspace.com/4johngriffin

Angie's Update

Hi!!! This is Angie "Collier" Narron. I was in BSU from 1992- 1996. I currently live in Sims, NC. I am a Systems Analyst at BB&T in Wilson, NC. I just celebrated my 7 year wedding anniversary. We have a 4 year old "puppy" 8-) Thank you Christy for setting this up! To share something very special....my mom and dad got saved and baptised two years ago!!!! In 2003 my mom became very sick and was in and out of the hospital for 9 months. My dad made a promise to my preacher when she got better they would start going to church. He kept his word. 8-) As some of you know I love the outdoors and although my career path has lead me to a corporate desk job I still try to spend as much time on the water. This year I officially joined the Kenly Bassmaster's Club and competed against 45 men (yep...I am the only female member). We have one more Club Tournament and right now I am ranked 4th overall. My husband is 2nd (and no we do not fish together 8), my dad is 3rd, I'm 4th and my Uncle is 5th. I have qualified to fish the Top 10 Championship at the end of the year. Wish me luck 8)

Jessica and Daniel Ward's Update

Hey everyone. I am Jessica Ward and am married to Daniel Ward. I was in BSU from 1994-1998 and he was in BSU from 1991-1995. We are living in Senoia, Georgia. Daniel is serving as Director of Students at Dogwood Church in Peachtree City, Georgia. It is a city about 25 miles south of the Atlanta airport. We have been serving here for almost 3 years. I am a stay at home mom. We have two boys - Joshua who is 4 1/2 and Caleb who is 1 1/2. Hope you all are well and would love to hear from you all soon! Love, Jessica

Folks Who Couldn't Come to Reunion

for you guys who couldn't make it to the reunion, can you post what you've been up to/update us on what's been going on with you, etc.?