One year ago, I was already pursuing graduate school, but truly had no idea what was in store. Although I did complete my application and did the research, I feel like God took me by the hand and led me through the dark. Now, I look back on the semester and see a little of why God took me to where He did. And I can only offer praise to Him. Some blessings in being at seminary are as follows:

- constantly hearing the Bible explained

- seeing God’s work in the hearts of others

- being challenged to share the gospel

- having time to read excellent books

- living real life with sisters and brothers in Christ

- building life-long edifying relationships

- growing in appreciation of God’s Word

- seeing myself as wretched and Jesus as wonderful

In four weeks, my second semester will begin, and I am completely excited about delving deep into my studies. My time at seminary will be short, and thus it is my desire to make the most of it.

As I consider resolutions for 2012, I can only think of one.

In all of my activities, I will seek to be reigned by the pursuit of knowing Christ and making Christ known.

The specifics will not, at the moment, be revealed on my blog. As the year progresses, I hope to contemplate ways in which the above resolution affects my daily life.

151. Special needs children.

152. Little children singing.

153. God-honoring Sunday School curriculum.

154. Rain.

155. God’s answers to prayer.

156. The power of a true understanding of grace in rejecting legalism.

157. An intact family.

158. Hardships of the Christian life.

159. God’s chastisement.

160. Ministries to international students.

30 days of thanksgiving:

141. Work at a Christian bookstore where I am surrounded by excellent resources.

142. Kind employers.

143. 12 years of involvement at Literacy & Evangelism International.

144. Opportunities to learn to speak comfortably on the phone.

145. God’s protection and provision surrounding the fire at LEI 8 years ago.

146. The everlasting testimony of God’s hand of protection over the primer archives during the fire.

147. Couples that are a testimony to God’s grace in their lasting marriages.

148. Theologically stimulating discussions with friends.

149. Photoshoot locations in my city.

150. The ability to sing.

30 days of thanksgiving:

131. The promise of eternal life, not death, for those who are cleansed by the blood of Christ.

132. A future filled with endless happiness for the people of God.

133. The truth that God is intimately acquainted with all my ways because He planned them.

134. The fact that all things are ordained by God before the foundation of time.

135. Small group time with my church family.

136. Colors

137. Clothing

138. Style

139. Eye doctors

140. Eyeglasses

121. Literacy workers all over the world

122. Literacy workers whose deepest desire is to bring people to love God’s Word

123. Cooperation among believers from various denominations toward the common purpose of making readers of God’s Word

124. The abundant availability of the Bible in the English language

125. The work of Bible translators to bring God’s Word to every language in the world

126. Today’s missionaries to deep dark places

127. Missionaries across the ages who demonstrate what it can look like to leave all and go for the sake of the gospel

128. Books that document the lives of God’s servants as an encouragement to others to live fully for Him

129. The variety of cultures in our world

130. God’s creativity in creating people

111. Space heaters

112. Music

113. Powerpoint software

114. Presentation projector

115. Kindle

116. Gifted women authors

117. Volunteers at LEI

118. God’s calling of workers into His harvest field

119. God’s guidance for college students

120. The prayers of a child of God for another child of God

30 days of thanksgiving:

101. Justification

102. The gift of faith

103. Access to God

104. Grace

105. Hope

106. God’s glory

107. Sufferings

108. The Holy Spirit

109. Salvation from the wrath of God

110. Reconciliation with God

30 days of thanksgiving:

91. Not experienced the death of a parent

92. Not experienced the death of a sibling

93. Never been without food

94. Never been without water

95. Never lacked clothing

96. Never lacked shelter

97. Never lacked employment

98. Never experienced physical persecution for my faith

99. Never had my heart broken by a guy

100. Never had severe physical affliction

Though I have not had much affliction in my life, I pray that that will not keep me from pursuing my Savior fervently. I am challenged by those who are severely afflicted yet intensely secure in the Lord. I want to be prepared for affliction if/when it comes by storing up treasures of truth in my heart during happy times. Help me, Lord.

81. One-on-one times of fellowship with sisters in Christ

82. The United States Postal Service

83. Homeschooling families

84. Parents who adopt children to the glory of God

85. Poetry that magnifies the Lord

86. Smiles

87. Laughter

88. Google

89. Trial versions of computer programs

90. E-mail

30 days of thanksgiving:

71. The fact that God’s Word so accurately describes the human condition and daily struggles

72. The apparent work of the Holy Spirit in guiding what passage of Scripture I end up reading on a given day, as it often ends up being exactly what I needed at that time

73. The fact that God’s Word describes not only the problem but the glorious solution

74. Bible-study aids that help to dig deep into the meaning of the passage

75. Those who have diligently studied God as revealed through His Word and written down their findings to be of benefit to others

76. Space-heater

77. Regular job at a local bookstore

78. New spiritual eyes

79. Glasses to improve my physical sight

80. Being required to learn ten-finger typing during my school days, a great benefit to me now