Because I’ve been far too lax in posting, I thought I would jump on board with the Facebook phenomenon of “25 Random Things” and catch up on chapels this semester. But I think fifteen should suffice!

1. The book that changed Dr. Cliff Foreman’s life is The Scarlet Letter.  I pulled it off my shelf for a re-read, after hearing him speak.

2. Rev. Ron Brown encouraged us to let our light shine for the world around us, and read from this piece: As an Atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.

3. Roger and Abi Lowther, who spoke in chapel last fall, returned to campus with their friend and colleague, Yoshimi Hirota to perform and speak to our music majors.

4. Chaplain Messner visited Philadelphia to teach and preach at a Simeon Trust Workshop on Biblical Exposition.

5. Mr. Robert Lawless, from McCormick & Co, shared some life lessons from his years in the business world for our annual Brock Lecture series.

6. We watched video of MLK’s I Have a Dream speech, as well as several other audio/video clips of his preaching and speaking.

7. Chaplain Messner reminded us of the need to have our eyes truly opened to who Jesus is. As he healed the blind man partially, then fully, Jesus showed his disciples their own lack of true sight. We continue to learn more of Jesus through our studies in Mark.

8. A student shared at a student-led chapel about his experiences fishing in Alaska last summer, where solitude and reflection took on new meaning. We are encouraging our students to take time away from noise and busy-ness as a regular discipline, particularly as we head towards the season of Lent next week.

9. Dr. Jay Green chose George Marsden’s Fundamentalism and American Culture as the book that changed his life. He spoke of his lifelong love of history and of Marsden’s role in shaping him as a Christian historian.

10. Dr. Mark Yarhouse, from Regent University, gave three lectures on sexual identity that were some of the most helpful I have heard. For some good resources for youth pastors, parents, check out this link.

11. 14 students joined several staff members for a retreat over Day of Prayer. We were graciously hosted by Grace Presbyterian in Dalton, GA, and put our cell phones, iPods, computers away for the time together. We all took several hours in the morning for a time of reflection and prayer. It was refreshing, and a great time to get to know people from different parts of campus. We included this article by Mark Driscoll for the students to read.

12. As our WIC lecturer this year, Dr. William Dyrness joined us from Fuller Theological Seminary, and spoke on Art and Worship, particularly in the reformed tradition.

13. Over 85 students, faculty and staff are meeting regularly to prepare for Break-on-Impact trips over Spring Break. Both the chaplain and I are traveling with teams–to Cherokee, NC and Brussels, Belgium. Other teams are heading to Madrid, Athens, and  Guanajuato, Mexico.

14. In tomorrow’s chapel, we’ll hear from Rev. Alfred Johnson and Rev. Joe Novenson as they share about their friendship and partnership between their churches, Lookout Mountain PCA and Church of the Firstborn.

15. Next week is our Marriage, Family, and Community Conference! Dr. Bryan Chapell, President of Covenant Seminary, is coming to campus to speak five times. All are welcome.