The “Incident”

Take, for instance, 1981 alum Eric Rice, who went to legendary lengths to prove that he is MU through and through. On his way to the office one morning, he managed to swallow a 75th anniversary lapel pin along with a dose of daily vitamins (and some water for good measure). The shape and size of the lapel pin made it difficult to swallow completely, so it took some doing. Since no one was around to witness the act, he needed some way to prove that his tale was true and went to the doctor to get some x-rays.

Thankfully the doctor wasn’t impressed with Eric’s show of loyalty and insisted that the lapel pin be removed before it caused damage to his internal organs.

Does Multnomah deserve this kind of loyalty? Of course! Does it need to be taken to such extreme measures as swallowing a lapel pin? Absolutely not! (Nor does MU condone or encourage such activity).

Your Move

After reading this inspiring and (mostly) true story of fearless folly, you may be thinking to yourself, “I’m loyal to Multnomah too, and I sure can’t let this Eric fella show me up! If only there was a safe, MU-approved way to show my school spirit.”

I have good news for you, friend… There is!

Homecoming 2012

Register for Homecoming 2012 and join the ranks of people cheering on the varsity basketball team at the big game, listening to lectures by well-know faculty like David Needham and Rick McKinley, hearing special music from Wayne Watson, and picking up a copy of Dr. Dan’s new book (he’ll even sign it for you). These and many other activities ensure an unforgettable week of celebration, and the perfect way to prove that “MU is in You”!

Doesn’t that sound better than swallowing a lapel pin?

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20

Have you ever experienced a time of loss? The loss of a job, your health, a committed relationship, a marriage, a dream, a child, or a loved one? Throughout life’s journey the road is often met with hardship — difficult seasons that seem unjust and unfair. 

On Facing Loss

Dr. Rob Hildebrand shared with our student body in chapel this past week about his own journey of loss. At 24 years of age, he lost both of his parents in a terrible automobile accident. On the eve of what was anticipated to be a beautiful event — the wedding of a close family friend — Rob’s mother and father, along with the parents of the bride, were traveling home when struck by another vehicle that had failed to adhere to a stop sign. The impact was severe, taking the life of both his parents, as well as the father of the bride. As you can imagine, it was a pretty emotional retelling of events as he recounted this incredible time of loss in his own life.

He walked through what was described as being “a dark night of the soul” — orphaned and feeling more alone than ever before. He was wrestling with intense and weighted emotions while trying to discern the voice of the Lord saying, “I love you, and it is going to be OK.” All the while the enemy, not too far away, kept calling, “This is so unfair, and you don’t deserve this!”

Defining Moments

“These are life defining moments,” Rob said. In times of loss, when faced with difficult decisions, what we do with our pain matters. As Dr. Hildebrand chose to trust the Lord, he was able to forgive the man responsible for taking what was most precious to him. When wrongful things happen to us, we can either choose to hold on to bitterness and allow it to consume our lives, or we can choose to trust God’s sovereignty and experience the freedom that comes when we do.

Joseph’s story in the Old Testament reminds us of God’s power demonstrated through the act of such forgiveness. As one who had every right to hold onto bitterness — hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, forgotten in prison — Joseph chose to honor God and God used his life for the greater purpose of saving hundreds of thousands of people. “You intended to harm me,” Joseph said, “but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

Grief And Forgiveness

Closing our time together, Dr. Hildebrand read for us the letter he had written after his parents were taken in the accident. Below is a paraphrased portion of that letter:

“Dear Sir,… I’m told that you were the one driving the car that killed my parents on the night of September 8, 1995.… I’ve wanted to tell you since the moment I first heard of the crash…I forgive you!… I believe there is a God who sovereignly controls the course of human events.... He uses and guides these events toward some greater good.… I’m confident that this God is still at work despite the pain that this event has brought to me and my brothers. I also want you to experience this forgiveness because I am a man who has had his sins forgiven by this same God.… This path has not always been easy…but God has been faithful…. We have not allowed our pain and our anger to consume us. We have not harbored that bitterness in our hearts. We have found freedom from it and I hope that you can find this same freedom….”

While we may not always understand the reasoning behind our difficult circumstances, my prayer is that He would give us faith to stand firm in what we know to be true about Him. And as we do, may we grow in learning to trust a God who is good and sovereign while always at work in the lives of His children.

Remembering a greater plan and a greater purpose,

Michelle M. Peel, BA ’00, MA ‘10
Director of Alumni Relations
Multnomah University

I came into the kingdom of God married and a mother of two. My salvation was the greatest moment of my life and I passionately pursued a relationship with Jesus. I couldn’t get enough of Him. It wasn’t long after I came to Christ that I hungered for more scriptural training and education, so I enrolled at Multnomah Seminary.

A Creative Balancing Act

I treasure my Multnomah Seminary days, but they were not all rosy. I had to balance school obligations with wife and mother obligations. Some of the more difficult days left me feeling as though I were standing on a ball with one foot in the air while juggling a variety of personal issues. One time, I was so overwhelmed that I thought about quitting seminary altogether. I had no idea what I would do with my MDiv degree anyway. Fortunately, God very gracefully eased my anxieties and impressed upon me the need to stay the course and complete my degree. I am so glad that I pushed through all the difficulties, because everything I learned at Multnomah filled my heart with so much love and gratitude for our magnificent Lord. As it turned out, my endurance and education became the foundation for a ministry I had no idea God was preparing for me, a ministry that took shape during my internship years.

The Fruit of Endurance

My internship involved counseling women, and it wasn’t long before I was inundated with requests from women in need. After seeing this great need in my church I asked my pastor if I could develop a class combining counseling with discipleship. With his approval, my “Walk Free” class was born.

By “walking through” my own difficulties and studying the Bible, I discovered that our troubles in life stem from a combination of emotional and spiritual brokenness issues. So I put together a few lessons that I learned from my studies of Scripture, theology and counseling, creating a class that examines many of these brokenness issues. I teach how to confront the issue so God can heal the heart. Scripture is used to reveal truth and educate individuals moving them into a deeper spiritual relationship with Christ.

Now 5 years later, I am teaching the class to both men and women. Word of mouth has spread, opening a door for people from other churches to attend these classes as well. I feel so privileged to be a part of what God is doing in the hearts of so many individuals. It all fell into place because I willingly endured some very difficult years while attending seminary. James says it best when he tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials, because in the end they produce a much richer faith (James 1:2-4). I heartily agree.

About the Author

JoAnne lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and two sons. She has a growing teaching and speaking ministry. She loves to help people build intimacy with God so they can maneuver the difficulties of life in faith. With great joy, she completed her first book, Walk Free: An Uncommon Cure for the Common Heart, developed from her Walk Free class. To learn more about JoAnne, visit her website.

Multnomah University's Homecoming Week is coming on February 14-18, 2012. For the first time ever, there is a full week of celebrations in honor of Multnomah's Diamond 75th Anniversary year.

Help us make this a new tradition to honor our alumni and encourage our students! Be sure to register for the big events on Friday and Saturday and check out other details at www.multnomah.edu/homecoming.

"Asante," which means "thank you," truly seemed to be the mission of their hearts as they sang worship songs like "I'm Trading My Sorrows" in both English and Swahili. Their spirits were transparent on their faces as their smiles and the beauty of their voices reached out to the audience. I was awed to witness what I believe to be a reflection of the joy and celebration of heaven. In my heart, I dearly wanted to jump up from my seat and sing with them.

In the spring of 2012, Michelle Peel, our Director of Alumni Relations, will have an opportunity to travel to Uganda where she, along with her team, will minister to the children of East Africa. We would appreciate your prayers for safe travels and for these beautiful children.

Quantities are limited, so read on to find out how you can get a free one.

But First, Pictures!

Get One For Free!

We'll give away one free calendar to the next 75 alumni homecoming registrations we get (one per household/registration). These are in high demand and we only have so many – don't wait!

Just go to www.multnomah.edu/homecoming to register today!

Homecoming, it's getting close. Reserve your spot today.

“Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119

I love the eager anticipation a New Year can bring. For me, it is often the feeling of a fresh start, along with the expectation of the unknown that makes this opportunity for reflection and the consideration of new goals so exciting. After a tough year, it is the hope of a better year ahead. Following a season of growth, it is the satisfaction of maturity observed both through pleasant, as well as difficult times.

As I spent time thinking about the year ahead and what I am most excited for, I was reminded of Dr. Lockwood’s message to our graduates during our recent fall commencement ceremony. Finding themselves at the end of a rigorous academic journey, feeling accomplished and motivated for the future ahead, his challenge to them was simple, yet powerful and profound.

Consider the disposition of your hearts!

He rehearsed for us three stories of well known kings: Saul, a man beginning well yet ending with a hardened heart of disobedience;  Solomon, a man seeking wisdom yet detoured by worldly pleasures and a divided heart; and David, a man who though far from perfect held fast to a heart of passion after God’s own.

Dr. Lockwood challenged us,

“God is looking for men and women with hearts after His own. Far more important than figuring out where your job is going to be, where you’re home is going to be, what your next steps are going to be, is how you can become a man or a woman after God’s own heart."

David was a man who had a passion to love God — “Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” In cultivating a heart after God’s own, let us imitate David in hiding His Word within our hearts — not as a mere feat of memory, but as a joyful act of affection. A passion to love God, a passion to hate sin, and a passion for His word, was Dr. Lockwood’s recommendation to our graduates for cultivating a heart after God’s own:

“My admonition to you is to become men and women after God’s own heart. You have cultivated a knowledge and a passion for His Word. You have cultivated a passion to love God and to deepen your relationship with Him, and you have cultivated a hatred of the things that God hates. Don’t let that drop when you leave Multnomah. Keep that passion strong as you continue to grow a heart that beats in tune with His every step of your journey from here.”

Don’t underestimate His Word

It is as we hide His Word within our hearts that we come to know Him and His desires for our lives in how we ought to live. As we treasure it, meditate upon it, memorize it, and pray it, we find that our desires become His and that sin no longer pulls us as it once did.

As Dr. Lockwood challenged our graduates, I would also challenge you — far more important than any goal or resolution you may have set for the New Year ahead is the pursuit of a heart that follows hard after Him. As you take time to hide His Word within your hearts this year, my prayer is that a renewed passion for God would grow within. May He give us all a heart like David’ s— dependent, surrendered, and beating first and foremost after His.

Cultivating a heart after His own,

Michelle M. Peel (BA ’00, MA ’10)
Director of Alumni Relations
Multnomah University
Multnomah Bible College & Multnomah Biblical Seminary

Video

Be sure to let us know your thoughts on how Multnomah partners with the church in the comments below or by e-mailing us at procom@multnomah.edu.

Larisa has traveled all over the world, ministering to youth and taking pictures on the way. Come see why we like her so much!

Larisa Warren

Hometown: Washougal, WA

Class: Junior

Major(s): Bible and Youth Ministry

What is your favorite class?
So far Acts-Philemon with Dr. Christiansen is my favorite class. I am still applying things that I learned in that class. It taught me to ask questions and search for answers to them in a way that no other class has up to this point.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
I hope to go overseas and work with MKs (Missionary/Military Kids) in some form or another. I love high-school students in general, but God has given me a passion for working with them full time in other countries. The exact location is still undecided, but I'm up for wherever God wants me to go!

What are some of your hobbies?
I love traveling! The further the better. I have been to Ireland, England, Nepal and Germany. I also enjoy photography, swing dance, white water rafting, and watching movies.

Any words of wisdom to incoming freshmen?
Don't waste your time when you get here. It is way shorter than you think and before you know it you will be registering for your last semester and wondering where all the time went? Challenge yourselves, take the “hard classes”, and ask lots of questions.

Meet More Students

See the rest of the series.

We've been publishing posts for our 75th Anniversary year featuring some of the goodies from yesteryear we've been finding...some of you actually sent us some old gear! We were especially excited to receive this letter sweater from an Alumna who still had her original class of 1951 class pin attached! Just look at that thing - something tells me that current students would really go for a true "throwback" style like this.

Current Student, Old School Uniform

In July, we published a post with pictures of MU's '80s Ambassador basketball uniforms beside and the current Lions uniforms. Here is more of that great Multnomah School of the Bible and Multnomah Bible College sports apparel!

Do You Have Anything To Share?

Just like always, but especially in this our Diamond Anniversary Year, we are hoping that some of you out there will be able to find it in your hearts and closets to send us some items for our archives (it's amazing how much we don't have here on campus!).

If you don't want to donate it, send us a photo of you and yours in your old MSB or MBC clothing so we can post it.

• 503.251.6452
• procom@multnomah.edu
• ProCom Department
  8435 NE Glisan Street
  Portland, Oregon 97220