What+SAU+Has+Taught+Me...

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 * (Note: Having intellectual and actual mentors has been essiential to my life, obviously)**
 * For me these "mentors" personify the lessons I've learned at SAU. Below are the people I think of when I think of each of these things I have learned while at Spring Arbor**

__**1. It is extremely important to have a global perspective.**__ His wife still carries on missionary work with the same tribe. || My Friend Jade- Missionary to Sudan. || opens his home to the poor or others, who want to come stay with him in an effort to foster real sense of community. || Matt- "Daily Leader" at school in Fort Myers, one of the best examples of living out the Christian life I know. He led us students by example in the way we should be like Christ. ||
 * [[image:jim_elliot.jpg width="206" height="240"]] || [[image:jake_2_(2).jpg width="367" height="224"]] ||
 * Jim Elliot- Missionary to unreached people group who was killed.
 * __2. Sharing your faith is not just part of the Bible, it can be and should be lived out in real life.__**
 * [[image:shane_claiborne.jpg]] || [[image:mattbeal.jpg width="238" height="177"]] ||
 * Shane Claiborne- Christian Author/Activist, who
 * Shane Claiborne- Christian Author/Activist, who

__**3. Our faith is based in reason, we can use our brains as Christians. (its really helped keep my passion for apologetics going).**__ author of my book. I believe he always does an excellent job of showing how Christianity is based in rational fact. || Pastor Dan Betzer, my Senior Pastor while in Florida. A truly brilliant man a real role model for me on how to use speaking the truth in love and reason in combination with each other to present the Gospel to someone. ||
 * [[image:Ravi_Zacharias.jpg width="240" height="240"]] || [[image:danbetzerapologetics.jpg width="335" height="233"]] ||
 * Ravi Zacharias, Author/Apologist, the

I am truly inspired by the life he lead and his willingness to put others first through a selfless life of service. || Pastor Art, Director of my Bible college in Florida. To me he is a perfect example of a servant-leader, the type of leader I want to be, putting the needs of others first always || __**5. Knowing that you don't know everything is probably the most valuable lesson one can learn, so remain humble**__ but always claimed to be just a "layman." Although, I consider Lewis to be one of the most brilliant Christian thinkers of all time and many would agree, if you read his writing he often exhibits genuine humility. || Abe- Probably, the humblest guy I know, as a house mate of mine in Florida I got to spend a lot of time with him and discovered he is probably twice as smart as I am, but you'd never know it by his demeanor. Through his actions he taught me the definition of humble. || Through reading his book Soul Survivor this semester has once again reminded me about the importance of mentors || Carl, my first spiritual mentor taught me how important mentors really are to one's spiritual life. || __**7. Continued discipleship is key to Christian growth (and may be an area where the church is lacking currently, especially in the American church).**__ Bonhoeffer is one of all-time intellectual heroes. I think his writings on both discipleship and community are unparalleled || My current pastor, Steve. Never have I seen a man so passionate to raise up true disciples of Christ who are continously growing spiritually. His heart for true discipleship inspires me. || __**8. You have to be a well rounded student to succeed, it isn't wise to constrain your knowledge to one area**__ While it is true that Nouwen is best known for spiritual knowledge and writings, as one reads him it becomes easy to see passions for other disciplines woven into passion for the things of God. e.g. Music || My wife Nancee, is a very wise and humble woman. She knows a myriad of things about a lot of different subjects. She is a good reminder to me not to put all my "knowledge eggs" in one basket (yes, I put this statement in here of my own power, under no duress) || __**9. Don't take myself too seriously**__ Chesterton, Christian Author/Apologist/Debator. To me Chesterton represents a person who took his work seriously and yet could have fun while doing it. So while I think balance is important, it is also important to bring joy into what one is doing. Chesterton embodies that for me. || In a story to keep myself humble, I used to go often down to the interfaith shelter to volunteer. One week while climbing into the van to leave my pants fell down (it was me and a van full of girls, so I was pretty embarrassed) seeing I was embarrassed the above ex-SAU student, SAU started the whole van off telling embarrassing stories. Point: Learn to laugh at yourself at times, its important. || __**10. Think critically and evaluate yourself and the ideas in the world around me.**__ Giesler, has authored authored several excellent books on apologetics, specifically on Critical Thinking and Logic. He's other Christian like so many others that prove Christians use their brains in their faith || Dr. Brewer, Dept Theology Chair. Taking classes with Dr. Brewer really requires you to develop high critical thinking skills. He is excellent at teaching you how to defend the positions you take in logical discussion. || __**11.SAU has really enstilled in me a sense of discipline.**__ One name always pops into my head immediately that is the name of Fr. Antony, who was one of the desert father's (monks) who retired to desert caves to live and focus wholly on God. Now, I don't advocate that all Christian's go out into the desert, but it is clear from reading accounts of his life Antony did lead a disciplined life, very focused on God. || My roommate Sam from Florida. When I was going through a particularly hard time in Florida, was homesick and wanted to leave, Sam showed me some of the spiritual disciplines he uses to get closer to God I have never forgotten those and whenever I need a refresher I give Sam a call. || __**12. SAU helped me to cement my calling or passion in life.**__ kind of cliche, because everyone, including non-Christians are inspired by her character and life story. However, she really did influence my calling. I feel like if I can just help people in a small way to compared to what she did than that is what I want to do. If God grants me a bigger opportunity than the small one I have in mind, so be it. || Taking Dr. Laura's class Exploring Ministry really helped me further define and cement what area of ministry I want to be involved in, which is discipleship. Of course a lot of prayer and Scripture reading was also involved but im very thankful for that class. ||
 * __4. The minister who does not serve as well preach the Word is not worth his weight in anything__**
 * [[image:Dr.-Paul-Brand.jpg width="201" height="308"]] || [[image:PA.jpg]] ||
 * Dr. Paul Brand, a man filled with compassion.
 * [[image:CS_Lewis_copy.jpg]] || [[image:abe.jpg width="216" height="288"]] ||
 * C.S. lewis one of the smartest men of the Christian faith,
 * __6. Having mentors to learn from in various areas of life is the key to survival as a Christian.__**
 * [[image:Philip-Yanceyjpg.jpg]] || [[image:carl.jpg]] ||
 * Philip Yancey, Christian Reporter/Writer.
 * Philip Yancey, Christian Reporter/Writer.
 * [[image:dietrich-bonhoeffer-web.jpg width="197" height="286"]] || [[image:steveb.jpg width="416" height="219"]] ||
 * Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pastor/Writer/Martyr.
 * [[image:Henri_Nouwen.jpg]] || [[image:nancy.jpg width="320" height="209"]] ||
 * Henri Nouwen, Pastor/Writer/Teacher
 * [[image:gk_chesterton_wide-300x185.jpg]] || [[image:sarafriz.jpg width="232" height="315"]] ||
 * Again, a person recognized from Yancey's book, G.K.
 * [[image:geisler.jpg]] || [[image:kenbrewer.jpg width="276" height="306"]] ||
 * Norman Giesler, Christian Apologist/Writer
 * [[image:St._Antony.jpg]] || [[image:samvdiscipline.jpg width="215" height="303"]] ||
 * When I think of discipline in the context of the Christian life.
 * [[image:Mother-Teresapg.jpg]] || [[image:drlaura.jpg width="221" height="280"]] ||
 * Putting Mother Teresa on here may seem


 * A note on calling:** I think to realize one’s true calling in life is vital and SAU has helped me to do that, I hope it has also helped you to do the same. Discerning one’s call is often an arduous process that can take a great amount of time to work through. Your calling may even be intertwined with someone else’s for a season as David’s was with Saul’s (hopefully your story doesn’t end like Saul’s) but in the end God is always faithful to those who seek to follow His will and for me that has been the greatest lessons learned at SAU.

I feel this quote from C.S. Lewis is relevant to my calling:“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” (2003, p.97). Application: I want to a person that helps people realize it is God who they hear shouting when they are in pain.

Abe Afinison. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551300292#!/media/set/?set=a.532691915953.2039817.178201333&type=1]
 * References:**

Father Antony. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|www.vultus.stblogs.org]

Matt Beal. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551300292#!/media/set/?set=a.10150256678185068.523302.785425067&type=1]

Dan Betzer. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.1314904287440.38810.1675697336&type=1]

Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Picture Accessed: 12/2/2011. eardstapa.wordpress.com

Dr. Paul Brand. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. jhs.sagepub.com

Ken Brewer. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551300292#!/media/set/?set=a.532691915753.2039817.178201332&type=1]

G.K. Chesterton. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. fallibleblogma.com

Shane Claiborne. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. www. congressonurbanministry.org

Jim Elliot. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. disjointeddisciple.blogspot.com

Sara Friz. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551300292#!/media/set/?set=a.532696142283.2040599.178201758&type=1]

Norman Geisler. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. []

Lewis, C. S. (2003). //The Problem of Pain//. San Francisco: Harper.

C.S. Lewis. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. andhedsvidne.blogspot.com

Henri Nouwen. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. www. yale.edu

Schaeffer, F. A. (1976). //How Should We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture//. Old Tappan: F.H. Revell Co.

Carl Schneider. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551300292#!/media/set/?set=a.532691915853.2039817.178201333&type=1]

Stott, J. R. (2007). //The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor//. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity.

Mother Teresa. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|www.turnbacktogod.com]

"This is Discipleship." Video. Accessed:12/2/2011. []

Sam VanDynHoven. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.469232547813.258369.561982813&type=1]

Art VanZanten. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551300292#!/media/set/?set=a.10150274115675293.498011.551300292&type=1]

Laura Widstrom. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. [|http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551300292#!/media/set/?set=a.532691915853.2039817.178201333&type=1]

Philip Yancey. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. www.godsbreath.net

Zacharias, R. K. (2010). //Has Christianity Failed You?//. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Ravi Zacharias. Picture. Accessed: 12/2/2011. www.hislambsonline.org