Renewed Perspective

At Youth for Christ, our ministry team meets every Tuesday morning for a ministry meeting where we dive into Scripture, talk about it, work on some business stuff, then end with a good time of prayer.  I cannot put into words how much I benefit from and appreciate this time that we have together on Tuesdays, particularly when we study the Bible. With what I have learned about Scripture from my education at CSB/SJU, I have a renewed passion and desire for this book we call sacred and I feel equipped to dig deeper into it.

Anyways, the purpose of this blog is to share the profound truth that I have come to be quite passionate about and it was revealed to me in 1 Peter, which is the most recent book of the Bible that our ministry team has been studying.  I had the privilege of guiding our team through the first part of our study, basically giving an introduction to 1 Peter and its purpose and context.  It is in the purpose and context of this letter to the Christians – particularly Gentile (Non-Jew) Christians living in Greco-Roman cultures in the Asia Minor – that God really opened my eyes to some profound truth.  This set the table for a better understanding of what I was reading and its relevancy. 

The author of this letter remains anonymous according to scholars.  Though the salutation states that the apostle Peter wrote and sent the letter, it was common practice in the Greco-Roman culture to sign letters with a name that may hold more authority to it then one’s own (This happens many times with the Pauline Letters).  Beside the point, this specific letter is being sent to the Christians of this community because there is much social tension and suffering for their faith.   In this Greco-Roman culture, Christianity is a strange, foreign, and detested religion, which meant there was a lot of negativity towards those who followed Christ, even within families.  Often times, Christians were misunderstood and slandered by those who did not understand their faith.  This letter is not calling the Christians to lash out at or condemn those who persecute them, but to remain faithful to their convictions and to stand firm in the midst of suffering.  “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence …” (1 Peter 3:15b-16).   Their example was Christ, who, being the Incarnate Word of God, suffered unjustly.  But what is significant and profound about using Christ as the example is the call to NOT ABANDON THE WORLD simply because it persecutes and doesn’t understand your faith.  This is what brought about a renewed understanding of my role as a Christ-follower. 

As Christians, we are called emulate Christ, and this means a refusal to abandon and forsake those around you, especially those who don’t believe.  This made me think of my favorite quote from John K. Falconer: “I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.”  To me, this parallels the call in 1 Peter.   This call is very applicable in today’s world and it is something that I am very passionate about because I see many Christians who get caught up in their safe box of Christian lights that their lights are not reaching in the darkness.  Now, I’m NOT saying the being apart of a Christian community is a bad thing; it is very needed to commune with our fellow sisters and brothers in Christ.  But it is so very easy to stay where we feel familiar and safe that we don’t shine the light of Jesus in the darkness, frankly because the darkness is out of our comfort zone.  This can be seen in how we choose the people we hang out with or the school we go to.  When something is familiar, it feels safe and comfortable.  But did Jesus’ ministry look like that?  No!  He was reaching out to the underdogs of society and to the sick and diseased.  He was burning brightly in a very dark place.  We are called to do the same.  Make friends with the person whose behaviors or lifestyle choices make your skin crawl or with the people who don’t understand you or persecute you.  Those are the individuals you should be making friends with.  And when I mean being friends with them, I don’t mean being on a mission to convert this person and that is your sole reason and purpose for the friendship… That’s not friendship.  Christ was vulnerable and not only exposed his divinity to the people he ministered to, but his full humanity.  By being open and honest with people, that is where true relationships are formed and that very authenticity is where the seed of Christ is best planted.

Now, I could rant on and on about how you should not shelter your light from the world, but that would get redundant.  I get feisty over it because I have seen so much of it in people.  I will simply finish by saying that those friends that I personally have that don’t believe the same as me or make specific lifestyle choices I don’t necessarily agree with are some of the most amazing people in my life because they keep me on my toes.  I have to be ready to stand up for my faith and convictions when they challenge them and that refines my beliefs and makes them stronger and all the more relevant.  So thank you to those who stir the coals up in my life.  Keep stirring … because I will keep burning.  This light, won’t abandon you.

-Pip Q

The "What Now?"

So now that I am all done with my undergrad, I cannot help but dream about the future.  I know ultimately that our future is in the hands of God, but I can't help my wishful thinking. :) So I thought I would let you in on my daydreaming!

As I stated in my previous posting, Riley and I are staying in St. Cloud for the next year or so.  He is looking for a job right now utilizing his Psychology or Biology degree (so please pray for that!) and I'm picking up more hours at the salon while starting a new internship with Youth for Christ for the summer.  This summer will fly by because I will be helping out with three of their camps: Leadership Quest (Northern MN), Kickin' It Cloudside (St. Cloud), and Rock Outdoor Adventure Camp (Wyoming).  As for this fall, YFC is hoping to be able to hire me on part-time (15 hrs/wk) as the BRAID Ministry Site Coordinator.  Even if they cannot pay me, I'll still coordinate and volunteer my time; the young ladies I work with are treasures and hold an important place in my heart.  I’ll also continue to work at the salon because I enjoy the women I work with, it pays the bills, and I want to keep my cosmetology license active for as long as I can.  While we are here in St. Cloud for this year, Riley is going to be trying to get some more experience/volunteering in to build up his application and resume.

Starting in August, Ri will be applying to Physical Therapy School.  He is looking at two schools in Colorado, two in Utah, and the U of MN.  If you have not noticed my recent postings about Denver on Facebook, it is our number one choice for relocation next year.  There is just so much to do out there and the city is full of opportunity for the both of us.  Denver is simply ideal. J 

As for myself, I am extremely interested in furthering my education in Theology, particularly in Scripture and Interfaith/Interdenominational Relationships.  I want to eventually get my Master and Doctorate and teach on a college level.  Here are just a few of the graduate schools I’m looking at:

- Regent University: School of Divinity

- Denver Seminary

- Liberty University

- Campbellsville University

- Southwestern College

- Luther Rice Seminary

All of these schools offer online Masters degrees in Theology and Divinity, which is something that I prefer.  Though I would love to get back into the classroom setting, online schooling would work best if I want to continue to work full-time.  I obviously do not plan on going back for my Masters within the next five years, but I have an ever-growing book list that will continue to engage me in Theology (My poor little book shelf is starting to overflow!).  I am also currently mapping out a reading/study plan for the entire Bible, which I am very excited about.  So though I may not be in formal schooling for a while, I will be continuing my education on my own :) 

All in all, this is what I dream about on a regular basis! What God has in store for my fantastic husband and me really excites me for our future adventures.  I thank you all for your continual prayers and thoughts.    

-Pippa Q.

Start of a New Journey

It is amazing to look back at these last two and a half years and see how God has worked in my life as I attended CSB/SJU.  I remember walking into my first Theology class not knowing what to expect; little did I know that in these classes I was going to meet God in a serious, real, and relevant way.  Going back to school was initially an intimidating thought to me since I had been out of formal schooling for three years.  But the timing was right.  I had recently went through a confusing and humbling life experience and only God knew that I needed a fresh start, a chance to grow and heal, and ultimately cultivate my relationship with God in a way I had desperately needed for a very, VERY long time.  Being unsure of what to expect in this new learning environment, I remember instantly feeling at home in the Theology program.  I knew that this was where God wanted me at that specific time of my life and in January of 2010, my theological journey began. 

I do not remember exactly when I was first introduced to St. Anselm’s definition of theology, but it defined my theological journey quite well: “Faith seeking understanding.”  I was not looking to be spoon-fed what to believe anymore, but to wrestle with and work out my understanding of God and my relationship with God.  In the Theology program at CSB/SJU, I found the challenge, the encouragement, and the openness I needed to flourish in my intellectual and spiritual journey.  It was not easy at times but I learned to truly appreciate what I believe and it opened my heart to what God was calling me to do.  It was evident that God was using my professors and fellow theology majors/minors in a mighty way in my journey at CSB/SJU.  I am so thankful for them and I know that is was by no mistake God brought them all into my life.  My fellow sisters and brothers in Christ from varying denominations opened my eyes and heart to a wider and clearer understanding of what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ.  The challenges and differences that we grappled through only made our unity is Christ stronger and for that I am so very thankful.  You all helped to paint a beautiful and colorful picture of the diversity of God’s people.  Thank you for getting me out of my theological bubble; I count you all as blessings in my life.     

Some may be asking, “What to do now?”  It is quite clear that God has called Riley and I to stay in St. Cloud for the next year.  God opened and closed doors and we believe that this is a year of waiting on the LORD for our next move.  The LORD has given me the wonderful opportunity to work with fantastic people at Central MN Youth for Christ and some amazing young ladies at BRAID.  I am excited to see what the LORD has in store for this year!  I know that right now God is personally calling me to ministry with these young ladies and I praise the LORD that I get to have another year with them.  When the timing is right, I know God will make it evident when I am supposed to go back to school, but for now, youth ministry is where my heart is at and CSB/SJU has fully equipped me for this vocational calling. 

Once again, I just want to thank all of my theology professors for the passion, intelligence, and vigor that you instilled into me as your student.  I pray that you know you are making a huge difference in the lives of many individuals.  Thank you to all my fellow theology majors and minors for learning alongside of me and being some of the most inspiring young adults that I have every met.  Thank you to the people at Youth for Christ for making me feel at home there and constantly encouraging me in my faith, work, and ministry; I look forward to our next year together.  Thank you to my wonderful husband, friends, family, and in-laws who have been supportive in my academic and spiritual journey.  Mom and dad, I know that you are proud of me and that means the world to me.  And last but definitely not least, thank you God for being forever faithful to me and for Your continual guidance in this ultimate journey called life.

-Pippa Quiram