A Reflection on My First Semester thus far...

Roxie Lewis
Freshman
Spartanburg, SC

This semester has been a very interesting one. When I first set foot on campus, I have to admit I was really scared and nervous, like any other freshmen like me would feel; but as time progressed, I have met a lot of interesting people. I have gotten back into chorus class and even joined the yearbook staff, which is something that I never thought I could be in. In high school, I was just another student trying to get by. I never saw myself as someone who could grow and be a part of something, but now that I am in college it is like I am free to be who ever I want to be.

Mid-terms were a little rough. After seeing my grades, I know I have to work extra hard to achieve the grades I want, especially in statistics. I have always been not so good in math!

When I first came to SMC, my adviser told me to make sure I didn't get involved with people who are not in my best interest. When he said this, I thought to myself , "Oh boy, I hope I make some good friends." Thoughts of people who do drugs and get into trouble for fun started to run across in my mind. I started to freak out a little, but I don't think my adviser noticed my reaction to what he said (thank goodness he did not see my face). Since then I know I have made some good friends. They are always there for me and help put a smile on my face when I am frustrated about my personal life or school. I thank God that I have great friends. So far this year is going amazing, and I hope that it keeps going amazing.

Who God Calls Us to Be

Phillip Cox
Sophomore
Spartanburg, SC

In today’s day and age, people are looking for something. Something that when found is priceless. That thing is a leader. Leaders are simply people who choose not to be followers, but decide they are going to be the ones who lead those who also have the same desire. Without leadership, it is very difficult, if not impossible to achieve a goal or overcome adversity. While God is the one true leader in our lives, he has called us, as His children, to also be leaders.

Take, for instance, the story of Joshua. Joshua prepared himself by being around other leaders. When his leader, Moses, disobeyed God, Joshua was ready, willing and able to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. The problem that many of us face is we simply do not know how to be a leader. Many think that a leader is simply a person who bosses everyone around. That assumption could not be further from the truth. A leader is someone who listens to everyone, then decides to go forward with a decision that he or she has made based on others suggestions or opinions. It is up to the leader to ensure that what he has decided on succeeds.

Some of the greatest people in history were leaders. From the Bible: Noah, Joseph, Esther, Ruth, David, and Nehemiah were all great leaders. In modern history, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King all demonstrated great leadership. God has called us to be leaders, not followers. Wherever you are in your life, there is some way that you can lead. Whether it be taking responsibility for something, heading up a club or organization, or just doing what someone asks you to do, go over and above the call of duty and you will become a leader.

God's Love

DeShawn Clement

Greenville, SC

Freshman

On Thursday nights, students gather in the chapel on campus for a worship service, an initiative organized and supported by the various campus ministry organizations represented on campus. This gathering is called Overflow. This week, the sermon was great. Before the sermon even was preached though, there was a short skit about how God takes or better yet washes us of our sin. Then, to top it off the Dean read one of my most cherished verses, John 3:16, probably one of the most important verses!

I nearly started crying. to be constantly reminded that our father in heaven sent his ONLY BEGOTTON SON to die for us, "sinners" at that. Sinners that don't deserve to be relinquished from sins, sinners that don't deserve to be forgiven, sinners that don't deserve Gods grace. How powerful that is when you know even though we are not perfect that God constantly loves? Just imagine, could you give your only son or daughter up for a stranger? Probably not, but the strength of that verse, overwhelms me every time. It's just WOW! We will never be able to repay God for His gift to us, but it's crazy how we are so quick to disobey God when He did all this for us. God asks nothing in return besides the fact He wants us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

It gets to me each time how we have a God that's understanding, gracious, loving, patient, unfailing, and a God that tells us don't worry for he is all that we need. Pray for me guys, that I will learn to put God first.