Champion Article: Fresh advice for Freshman

Fresh advice for freshman

• By Karin Thompson
• Published: August 28th, 2012

Words of wisdom from an upperclassman

If you have ever been on hold with one of our academic departments, you know that Liberty University is the “most exciting” Christian university. There are endless opportunities to choose from, and they are all offered in one place: right here.

With all these new challenges and choices right at your fingertips, time management has never been more crucial. Most people are never afforded the opportunity that you have in front of you. There are ways that you can make these years the best of your life!

Take the time that you have seriously. The odds are that you will not be a college student for the rest of your life. Make sure that you are able to give yourself the time to breathe and have fun, and also to bring everything into focus when you need to study. You are here for school, and you should always make it your priority. Recognize what you need to do in order to maintain the grades that you need to achieve and make that your goal.

Consider your work and your studies to be praise unto the Lord, and always give it everything that you have. The easiest way to get through life without having to look back at your regrets is to give your work the effort that it deserves. The people at Liberty earnestly seek after and love God with their lives, and there are plenty who would love to help you and walk with you as you journey toward that.

Always give new opportunities a chance. The days of being spoon-fed are gone. College is often not easy, and hard work is a requirement to make your way through and succeed.

Anyone on student leadership can tell you that there are times when it seems like there is no point, and that no one cares or listens. But the truth is that God has set about a purpose, uniquely for you, and His ways are higher than your own.

Less than a week ago, I was on my way to school when a semi-truck pushed my car into the median, causing it to flip. I have been asked repeatedly how I am able to have a good attitude about everything that happened. Why dwell on the scary possibilities when I can move forward and make the most of my final year of college? You cannot change what has happened, but you can choose how you respond to it and what you do about it.

Again, recognize the gift that you have to be going to Liberty. Go to Snowflex and ski or take in the beautiful sunset from the lodge.

Listen to the voices of those earnestly praising the Lord at campus church. Laugh at the corny jokes your teachers tell in class. Know that someone on this campus is praying for you every single day, just because they can.

You have been given a gift to be a student at Liberty University, and as Luke 12:48 says, “For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.” What will you do with what you are given?

http://www.libertychampion.com/2012/08/fresh-advice-for-freshman/

Champion Article: Making the case for adoption

Making the case for adoption

• By Karin Thompson
• Published: September 11th, 2012

Controversial comments concerning adoption have left adoptive families flabbergasted and upset

The blessing of adoption — The love of a child, whether biological or adopted, is one in the same. Photo credit: Jennifer Van Buskirk, Facebook

Outspoken televangelist Pat Robertson’s offensive statements regarding adoption exploded controversy among the Christian right.

According to Robertson, “You don’t have to take on someone else’s problems.”
His language in the interview seemed to demean those who adopt, and he went as far as to say that one of his friends adopted a son who “grew up weird.”

Robertson, who nowadays seems to be making a habit of vocalizing outrageous assertions, is still one of the most heard voices in Christianity due to the success of his program, The 700 Club. Despite this fact, a Christian who does research on the matter will learn that Robertson’s view on adoption does not serve as the final voice on opinion on the matter from our faith.

Those who adopt display many of the greatest values and principles found in the Bible. The generosity and compassion that adoption requires is extremely important for Christians to understand. Psalm 68:5 says that God’s heart is set upon being a father to the fatherless.

Jesus commands us to give everything that we have to Him, and to shelter the poor and those in need. In Luke 18:22, we are presented the conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler.

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”

We are called to have complete generosity, unrestrained by comfort. It is so important to Christ that he turned away the young ruler seeking eternal life because the man was not willing to sacrifice what he had.

The foundation of Christianity is new life in Christ through his resurrection and grace, completely undeserved by the receiver.

Ephesians 1:4-5 says that in love, God chose us to be adopted as sons. Adoption is principle made perfect by God and his salvation, not because we deserved it in any way, but because he decided to give it freely to us. We were dead in our sins before we were redeemed.

A friend of mine, Jaime Bailey, is a mother of four — two naturally-born and two adopted. One of her adopted children, Cruise, is autistic. Jaime and her husband knew that they were called to adopt, and there is no doubt in their mind that their adopted children are as completely theirs as their natural children are. Although Cruise has a disability, he is an even greater gift to them, teaching them new lessons on love and the value of life every day.

For Jamie, the key to their choice is that “we are trusting whatever God has for our family, and we are so excited for our future!”

The Bailey family recently decided to continue the extension of their love to foster children.

Adoption is one of God’s most beautiful creations. It is amazing that we are capable of completely loving a child that we have no biological connection to. There are not many relationships that more closely identify with Christianity than that of someone completely undeserving receiving unconditional love.

That extension of love is something that we should be excited to have the opportunity to give and learn from and should never be taken for granted because of inconvenience. Adoption is not taking on someone else’s problem, it is an answer to God’s command.

 

http://www.libertychampion.com/2012/09/making-the-case-for-adoption/

Champion Article: Daycare Fight Club

Daycare fight club

• By Karin Thompson
• Published: September 4th, 2012

Rule 1: You do not talk about daycare fight club

When a story hits the news of adults fighting, it is disturbing enough. But Aug. 20, reports broke of a daycare center that doubled as a fight club for children in Delaware. CBS Philly reported that three women working at the daycare were arrested for forcing two 3-year-olds to fist fight. One of the women shared a cell phone video, which eventually led to their arrest.

As Christians, we know the high value that God puts on the innocence of a child’s life. Their rights call out naturally to our hearts, and we should pursue justice in situations like this. To think that this “fight club” was happening in America is disturbing.

Stories like this raise concern about the level of child abuse happening in America. With the media constantly portraying the rights and wrongs of parenting, the line is sometimes fuzzy between what should be allowed for entertainment purposes, and where it needs to stop.

Television programs nowadays depict not only physical violence, but emotional abuse as well. Shows like “Dance Moms” and “Toddlers and Tiaras” are television staples for raising questions about the security of the children being filmed. In most situations, a mother’s lost dreams cause her daughter to have to live up to her view of perfection in a bubble of competition.

I remember distinctly the one time I watched “Dance Moms.” One mother, who was apparently the boss, seemed to physically unhinge her jaw while yelling at those in the room about an issue involving one girl’s behavior and abilities. The entire scene was in front of the mothers, dancers and the entire camera crew.

The women at the daycare company were merely seeking a laugh. According to the information provided, there were no children physically harmed by the incidents. There is clearly a difference between the intentions of those on television and the woman involved, but both were seeking to provide entertainment.

In each situation, there was emotional strain put on the children. From frequently watching their parents yell to having their parents forcing them to behave in absurd ways, the damage to the children is done. It is appalling that the parent’s dangerous obsession with entertainment is causing the lives of children to be devalued.

Yet it is also true that parents are human and will make mistakes. They cannot be expected to be perfect. It is within our freedom as Christians to determine what we will or will not watch or support. We are not called to judge the hearts or intentions of those around us. We are simply called to care for those who are weak, and the victims of oppression.

As Christians, we must always recognize the high value that Christ has given to children and our call to love them and take care of them. Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.” Situations such as the one in Delaware are disconcerting and should persuade us to want to protect our precious youth, regardless of the situation. We should always be on our guard and ready to respond when injustice is taking place.

http://www.libertychampion.com/2012/09/daycare-fight-club/