by Simon Akl (20)

This past semester I needed to spend a lot more time at school because of the scheduling of most of my classes. It has given me an opportunity to get to know some other students a little better, and vice versa. As we have talked more and more, our conversations have focused less on school material and more on general reflective questions, such as how to cope with stress, relationships, our goals and even our existence and purpose.

It seems like some students are confused or are searching for answers to questions, unable to find them. I feel that I should take the opportunities when they arise to live my life as an example to others around me. Being a pre-med undergraduate definitely requires a lot of studying, which has consumed some of my school friends’ time. Some have noticed that I am capable of living a more balanced life and that I am not just forced to study 24/7, and they try and ask me how I do it. I explain to them that I do my part in studying and let God handle the rest, saving me all the worry.

It has been an interesting process because it has given me the opportunity to see how others are lost in their approach towards life. They seem to let days pass, without really realizing why they are doing what they do. It makes me very thankful to be aware of God’s great plan, knowing that there is a bigger picture and more to life than just our daily routines. I feel that my actions can speak far more than any words I can share with them. Even though I fall short from time to time, I strive to set an example to my classmates, not just on things concerning school, but in everything that I do.

I am grateful that I have been blessed by God’s guidance and direction, while some others around me in school are searching for them. I try to focus on letting my light shine to others, hoping that by setting a good example, it might lighten up their perspective.

by Manuela Mitchell (25)

Sometimes, especially while I’m driving, I take the opportunity to think about my life. Outside of work and home, my routine is pretty straight forward and simple. Many surprises just don’t happen–at least not at this point of my life. Someday, in the near future, I know that will all change.

My husband and I have tossed around ideas together within the last few months regarding important steps in our lives. These include our jobs, further education, having a baby and raising a family out of the state in which we currently reside. Even though we have thought about ways to improve our well being, we have to be convinced that these plans are what God would like us to do.

I have always tried to never regret any big decisions that I have made in my life. I always intend to think things through. It is also not possible to do it alone. Ultimately, God will help my husband and me to make a final step, if it’s according to His plan.

by John Amorelli 
 
As of this youth forum, I will be in my seventh month of my first Third Tithe year. With these hard economic times and financial qualms, I was concerned initially about being able to save Second Tithe, much less pay Third Tithe. I was scrambling to find more work to increase my income, so Third Tithing could be possible. Although I was humanly determined, there were two important spiritual factors missing in my quest for this Tithing tale–Prayer and Faith!
 
Instead of praying to the Eternal and having faith in Him regarding my Third Tithe situation, I tried to solve this issue by myself. It was hopeless. From the look at my income (being the sole provider since my wife does not work due to her health condition), it seemed that there was no way I would be able to fulfill my Second and Third Tithe obligations!  Simply put, it didn’t look so good on paper.
 
I decided to pay Third Tithe, no matter what! After praying fervently and trusting in God that He will provide, the blessings started pouring in!  Much more than my wife and I could have imagined–being approved for free health care coverage; our neighbors giving us provisions; a complimentary stove and bread maker for my wife; and increased income/work for me. 
 
Yes, I was lacking spiritually when I entered my first Third Tithe year. I wanted to help the Work and the brethren by paying Third Tithe, but I focused on helping in a human way first, partly leaving God out of the picture. Yes, God has provided me to be able to save Second Tithe and to pay Third Tithe. I have learned in this lesson that the Eternal should be in the picture first, that I should pray to Him and have faith in Him (even though my human intentions are good), and He will provide!

by Kalon Mitchell (23)

I was recently listening to a podcast. The lady on the show was talking about assuming love. Now maybe this sounds very fishy to some of us, but the lady had a point.

She explained that many times when we are upset, we as human beings tend to just fly off the handle. We may also blow situations way out of proportion because we have a desire to want to be justified. But this is not right. Instead, she went on to say, many times we don’t have all the information or may not know or understand what is truly going on in another human being’s mind.

That being said, what if we could take any situation we are in and learn to put ourselves in that person’s shoes? If we tried to empathize a little more, and attempt to understand where someone is coming from, a lot of fights would not happen or continue.

For the last couple of weeks I have been trying to put this into action. At first it was hard and I would get mad at many of the things that go on in daily life! But the fact is that when I do assume love, I am more calm and can think more clearly about the situation at hand, instead of flying off the handle. This is the exact opposite of what Satan wants. He wants me to get upset with others and go for the throat.

When I feel myself getting upset, I need to take a deep breath. Rather than dwelling on something bad, I need to reflect on what is good. Rather than reacting with anger, I need to concentrate on “assuming” love. This helps to work out whatever it is that bothers me.

by Cali Harris

A recent Monday morning drive to work was on a highway covered by four inches of slick, slushy snow.  As the traffic moved at about 25 miles per hour, a car sitting at a complete stop in an exit lane decided to merge back onto the highway at the last minute—right in front of me.  I knew I would either hit the car if I couldn’t slow down in time, or be rear-ended by the cars behind me if I slowed too quickly.  As I compressed my brakes, the back end of my car fishtailed into the next lane of traffic. I slowed down enough to avoid hitting the car in front of me, and looked in my rear-view mirror to see how close the cars were behind me.  I watched a van, only about 4 feet directly behind my car, slow down and fishtail exactly parallel to my car; we moved in unison together, avoiding any collision.  The van then pulled around and passed me, and the cars behind me all slowed in time.  By man’s standards, avoiding an accident in this situation was highly improbable—in fact, the other drivers probably thought, “That was a close call!”

I was thankful for the protection I knew God had provided. In my thankfulness, something struck me: it was not a close call.  God is in total control of my life, and whether or not I had ended up in an accident, I know God would have provided the protection He promises.  Just this past Friday, my sister, Shelly, and nephew, Nicolas, were in a car accident that essentially totaled their car.  God intervened and protected them from serious injury—another example of what would be a close call by this world’s standards, but was confirmation of God’s complete involvement in our lives.

These recent situations were good preparation for the times ahead, in which only God will be able to intervene and protect.  I now more fully understand that I don’t have to worry about “close calls,” because God is in close control. 

by Michael Link

During these times that we are living in, I notice how impatient most people can get. There seems to be a sense of urgency due to the rise of unemployment and the fear that more and more jobs will be lost in this new year. I get to witness this every day due to my job and the several people that I meet, especially those I work with. The mood has slowly changed from a content to a melancholy state.  I’m not saying that I notice this everywhere, since there are also several out there that act as if nothing is changing.  

The fact is, things are getting worse, and it is plain to see that. I may sometimes get caught up in all of this, as my patience gets tested due to my surroundings. I know, despite everything that we will be going through, that I have to remain positive and focus on what God has in store for me, realizing that He has a great deal of patience with me.

So why can’t I sometimes have that same patience?  There are certain things that I’m trying to accomplish, and through God’s Will, I have to have patience despite what happens around me or what others may say. I am truly grateful for the blessings that God has given me thus far. I need to continue to have faith that God will not cease to provide; and I must not cease to have patience to wait for what He has in store for my family and me. The most important thing for me to realize is that, without God in my life, my accomplishments are as good as gone.

by Shelly Bruno
 
Almost missing the Feast of Tabernacles this year, due to a sudden sickness of my son, has given me a new perspective about my church family. Frankly, I had been taking attendance at the Feast for granted. I am blessed with a place to attend services every Sabbath and fellowship with other believers. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fully appreciating that blessing until I was faced with the reality of observing the Feast alone. As much as I tried to have a “Feast spirit” over 1,000 miles away from the brethren—what I really wanted was to share that spirit with my church family—in person!
 
Spending time every Sabbath and on Holy Days with those who are led by God’s Spirit strengthens my resolve during the week and throughout the year. I know that my spiritual brothers and sisters also face trials or experience times of joy, and we can share that. Many times in conversation at church services, someone has said something to me that stuck. It might have been a few simple words of encouragement, or even some challenging words that helped me rethink my approach to overcoming a problem.

I’ve been inspired by others’ ability to tackle their trials, encouraged by supportive words, and simply been made to feel connected to God’s spiritual family. We don’t always know how we can affect one another, but we do. Thankfully, as it turned out, I was able to attend the second half of the Feast with God’s family. Although members of this family may not all share the same blood, what we do share is so much more important–God’s Holy Spirit. This blessing of family is something I now appreciate more fully, and as I look forward to Sabbath services each week, I’ll remember that family matters!

by Aaron Hooper

In the world of school and work that I often find myself in, it is sometimes very easy for me to lose the sense of urgency concerning the end times which are quickly approaching. Most people don’t really believe that we will see an end to the great United States of America or even that things could possibly get worse. Some, though, do have a sense that things may be coming to a head, but put their stock in the 2012 date of the Mayan calendar.

I was recently talking to a friend in my literature class, and he too felt that, for the most part, people just go on as if nothing is even happening in the world. He doesn’t believe in God or the Bible, but even though, he still realizes what is going on and that we are in for some tough times ahead.

I ask myself, what can I really do, though? In the Updates and during Sabbath services, I hear more and more about the troubled times in which we live. Does it become easier and less sensational the more I hear about it? Do I just “wait for it” and take it as it comes? The time is fast approaching when many will wish they were closer to God, as they will have absolutely no one to turn to.

I often wish that I was closer to God, and I know that I come up very short. The things that I need to do to learn about and draw near to our merciful Father are so very simple — they sometimes appear too simple. It is just a matter of doing it. As these days become shorter and the world becomes less stable, it is ever more important that I really make a conscious and daily effort to draw near to our heavenly Creator.

by Simon Akl

The Feast of Tabernacles has come and gone, and I am now back to my everyday life of school and work. The amount of school work that was awaiting me seemed to be insurmountable. With all the usual school distractions it is very easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out. However, the Feast was a reminder of the need to prioritize what should be important in my life.

It allowed me to take a step back and realize how many of the tasks that I view as large mountains are really a small drop in the ocean compared to God’s plan. Focusing on more important reasons behind my purpose and existence helps me put everything in perspective and reduces some of the daily obstacles that I am confronted with. I find that some of the toughest times of trials and tribulations tend to come right after the Feast. They tend to divert me and force me to forget about all the great lessons that I have just finished learning during the Feast. They tend to depress me when thinking about the tough time that I am about to face.

It is important for me to always keep the right mindset and focus to keep reminding myself of what truly is important. Satan does whatever he can to knock me off the righteous path and deceive me. That is why I constantly have to try and refresh my thoughts with lessons that I have learned while at the Feast, as well as trying to apply them in my everyday life.

by Laura Harris

Recently, I was cleaning out my “in-box” – a 12 inch pile of things to do and things to file — when I came across a card addressed to Paul Voss. I started to write Paul a note when he was first diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. However, I got preoccupied with other tasks and never completed my letter to him.  Now I will never have the chance to tell him in this life how much I missed him and that I was praying for his healing, or to encourage him to “hang in there” while undergoing treatment.

In hindsight, I wonder what was so important that I couldn’t take 10 minutes to write to an ailing friend.  How often do I neglect to tell friends and family through my words or actions how much I love them?  Do I overlook opportunities to help friends and neighbors in need because of other so-called pressing issues?  H. Jackson Brown, Jr., a New York Times best-selling author, is quoted as saying: “Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.” I need to constantly remind myself to seize the day–to do what is most important first and don’t let opportunities to show love pass me by.