His Congregation

Congregation 2018 Edition

GREAT

EXPECTATIONS

2018

2 7 0 0Br o a dwa yBl v d Ga r l a nd, TX7 5 0 4 1 Te l : 9 7 2 6 7 5 8 8 2 7 Fa x : 9 7 2 2 7 8 1 7 0 5 www. r c c g b o l g a r l a nd. o r g

T h eEn a h o r of a m i l y

DUNAMIS2018:G r e at

EXPECTATION

O U R Expe c t at i on( s )i sawor dc ommonl ybandi e di n Chr i s t i anc i r c l e s , butac l e arunde r s t andi ngi s r e qui r e di fwear et os i t uat ei tpr ope r l ywi t hi n t hec ont e xtofourChr i s t i ane xpe r i e nc e .The di c t i onar yde f i ne sExpe c t at i onas ; as t r ongbe l i e f t hats ome t hi ngwi l lhappe norbet hec as ei nt he f ut ur e .Ant i c i pat i on, e xpe c t anc y , e age r ne s s , e xc t me pe dst es i i e ntands us ns ear ewor hatar mi l ari nme ani ng.

Cl l r om t heabovede i Expe c at on e ar y , f f ni t i on, t i i sabr i dget ot hef ut ur e , butnotonl yt hat , i ti s t hebr i dget ot hef ul f i l me ntofGod’ spr omi s et o t hebe l i e ve r .I ti st hepr ooft hatt hebe l i e ve r ’ s f ai t hi sope r at i onalandt hatheors hei se age r t or e c e i vef r om Godc onc e r ni ngapr omi s eGod hadmadei nt hepas t .

Thi ski ndofe xpe c t at i onunl oc kst hes upe r nat ur alPowe rofGodr e gar dl e s soft hes e e mi ngi mpos s i bl ec i r c ums t anc e sort heoddss t ac ke d agai ns ti t .

2.Wi l l i ngne s s : I st hepe r s onore nt i t ywi l l -

i ngt odowhatt he yhavepr omi s e d?Thi ss pe aks t ot he i rde s i r eandc ommi t me ntt owhatt he y havepr omi s e d.Al e pe ronc eappr oac he dJ e s us wi t ht hes t at e me nt ; “ I ft houwi l t , t houc ans t makemec l e an. ”J e s usans we r e dhi mi mme di at e l ys ay i ngaf f i r mat i ve l y , “ Iwi l l ; bet houc l e an” ( Mar k1 : 4042) .Thi sl e pe rwasc l e ans e di mme di at e l y .Thei nf e r e nc ei st hatGodi sal way swi l l i ngt ohe alt hes i c k, pe r f or m mi r ac l e s , de l i ve ron Hi spr omi s e s , e t c .

3.Abi l i t y : Nomat t e rhowwi l l i ngandhow

s i nc e r eape r s oni s , i ft he ydonothavet heabi l i t y( powe r )t ode l i ve ront he i rpr omi s e , t he ywi l l notc omet hr ough.He nc e , gr e ate xpe c t at i on l e ansont heabi l i t yoft hepr omi s e rt ode l i ve ron t he i rpr omi s e .Godi sOmni pot e ntme ani ngHe i sal l powe r f ulandabl et odobe y ondal lwec an as kori magi ne( Ephe s i ans3: 20) .

Re c e nt l y , Ide c i de dt oc omet ot heUni t e dSt at e st os e e k f ormi ni s t r yoppor t uni t i e s .Thi swasbas e ds ol e l yona wor dGodhadr e ve al e dt omepe r s onal l ywhi c hIwai t e d onunt i lIf e l tt het i mi ngwasr i ght .Thepol i t i c ale nvi r onme nti nt heSt at e spe r t ai ni ngt oi mmi gr at i oni squi t e hos t i l e , butIhadr e c e i ve dawor df r om God, andIwas c onvi nc e dt het i mi ngwaspr ope r .SoIpr oc e e de donmy ne t hee t at ont hatGodwi lmakeaway . j our ywi ht xpe c i l Toc utt ot hec has e , Godl e dmet oc e r t ai ni ndi vi dual s andIf i l l e doutmyi mmi gr at i onpape r s .ToGod’ sgl or y , t heappr ovalc amet hr oughi nr e c or dt i me .Godi ske e pi ngands us t ai ni ngt heuni ve r s ebyHi si mmut abl e , al l powe r f ulwor d; c e r t ai nl y , Hec ans us t ai nourl i ve s andc omet hr oughonHi spr omi s e , he nc eoure xpe c t a t i onoughtt or e mai ns kyhi gh.

Abr aham, agai ns thope , be l i e ve di nhope( Romans4: 1 8a) .Thi shopewasbi r t he df r om t he Rhe mawor ds poke nt ohi m byGodi nt hef or m ofapi c t ur e .Godbr oughthi m outatni ghtand t ol dhi mt onumbe rt hes t ar s , whi c hi sobvi ous l y i mpos s i bl e .Thi spowe r f ulpi c t ur ebi r t he df ai t h i nAbr aham’ she ar t , i mpar t e dt heabi l i t yt obe l i e veGodandc ons e que nt l y , hi sf ai t hwasi mput e dt ohi mf orr i ght e ous ne s s( Ge ne s i s1 5: 56) . Thewor dofGodde c l ar e swi t haut hor i t yandf i nal i t y Thi swast hede f i ni ngmome ntt hati gni t e d t hat , s ur e l yt he r ei sane ndandt hi nee xpe c t at i ons hal l Abr aham’ se xpe c t at i ont hati ns pi t eofSar ah’ s notbec uts hor t( Pr ove r bs .23: 1 8) . bar r e nc ondi t i onandhi sownphy s i c all i mi t at i onsbe c aus eofage , God’ spr omi s ewi l ls t i l l c omet hr ough.Gr e ate xpe c t at i onf unc t i onsbe s t i nt hear e naofnat ur ali mpos s i bi l i t i e s .I tde f i e s s c i e nc eandal lknownnat ur all aws .I ti sbas e d I bukunOmot ay o s ol e l yont hewor dofGodr e ve al e dt oape r s on.

1 .I nt e gr i t y : Whe ny ouhaveane xpe c t at i on t hats ome onewi l lde l i ve ront he i rwor dor pr omi s e , t hef i r s tt e s ti st het e s tofve r ac i t yor c har ac t e r .Dot he yhavei nt e gr i t yorat r ac k r e c or dofde l i ve r i ngont he i rwor d?Thes c r i pt ur e s ay sI ti si mpos s i bl ef orGodt ol i e( He br e ws 6: 1 8) .Thi si sHi snat ur e .Hec annotl i e .

Pas t or Ki ngdom Embas s y m: 929231 0407 9800We s t ove rHi l l sBl vd, San Ant oni o, TX7 8251 www. ki ngdome mbas s e y s a. or g e :i nf o@ke s a. or g

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omi ngt oAme r i c awasahugej umpf orus .I C wasve r yr e l uc t antt oc omebe c aus et hatwasa

t i mewhe nt hi ngswe r er e al l yl ooki ngupf orus .

Iar r i ve di nt heU. Sont he28t hofFe br uar y 2002wi t hmyt woki ds , t he n2and6.I twasa hugec ul t ur es hoc k.

Wehadac hur c hofal mos t1 , 000c ongr e gant s i nNi ge r i a, andhe r eIwasi nAme r i c a, wi t ha c hur c ht hatdi dn’ tboas tof1 5adul t s !Asi ft hat wasnotbade nough, t hec hur c hwasi nas t or e f r ont , owe dr e nt , t e l e phone sdi s c onne c t e dand hadape ndi ngl aws ui t !

Thatwasmywar m, ( l i t e r al l ys pe aki ng) , we l c omet oAme r i c a!Myhus band, t hei nc r e di bl e opt i mi s t , ke ptas s ur i ngmet hi ngswoul dbeal r i ght .Ipr e t e nde dt obe l i e vehi m, buti twas har d.Wehadqui t eabi tofs avi ngs , s owepay e d t hec hur c hr e nt , andbe gant owor kourwayout ofde bt .

Thef i r s tf e wmont hswe r e bi t t e r s we e t .Whe nours avi ngs wasge t t i ngde pl e t e d, wede c i de dt os e tupanAf r i c ans t or ei n Bi r mi ngham.Ir ant hes t or ef or 5y e ar s f r om 2003t i l l2008.

Thede c i s i ont ogot ogr aduat e s c oi s t hoolwasf e donme .I di dn’ thaveac hoi c e .I nJ anuar y of2008, myhus bandde c i de di t wast i mef ormet ogot os c hool , ands owec l os e dt hes t or e , and Bol awe ntt os c hool .Thes t or y ofhowIgoti nt os c hooli sa l , buts i ei os ay ongone uf f c tt t hatGods howe dup, par t e dt he “ r e ds e a” , andIs t ar t e ds c hool .

Goi ngt ogr aduat es c hoolf or me , wasnotawal ki nt hepar k. me , wasnotawal ki nt hepar k.I tt ooks or r ows , t e ar sandbl ood.Ihadbe e noutofs c hoolf ora whi l eandgoi ngt os c hooli nAme r i c ai sdi f f e r e ntf r om any t hi ngIwasus e dt o.I twasnotj us t t hec our s ec ont e nt .I twase ve r y t hi ng-t hec ul t ur e , t hes out he r ndr awl , t hei mage r i e s , pe opl e t r y i ngt or e admyl i pswhi l eIs poke , ande ve n

t hemul t i pl e c hoi c ee xams !Iqui c kl yde pl oy e d myc har m andmadef r i e ndswi t hc l as s mat e s , s c hool mat e sandpr of e s s or s .Ie xpl ai ne dmy“ s i t uat i on”andgotal lt hehe l pt hatIne e de d.That madet hi ngse as i e r , buti twass t i l ldi f f i c ul t …I s t i l lhadt odoal otofwor k.Looki ngbac know, ge t t i ngmymas t e r ’ swase as y …t aki ngt heAl abamabaral mos tknoc ke dmeout !Thebi bl e c ouns e l sust oc ountt hec os tbe f or ee mbar ki ng onapr oj e c t .Idi dn’ t .Notonl ydi dInothavet he f i nanc i alwhe r e wi t hal , Ial s ol ac ke dt heknowl e dge bas et ot aket hee xam.Wec oul dnotaf f or d t hef e e sf ort heBarpr e par at i onc l as s e sore ve n payf ort hebooks !Butt hankGodf orCr ai gs l i s t , wef oundaguyi nMobi l e , Al abamas e l l i nghi s us e dbooksf or$1 , 000.Wec ont ac t e dhi m and ne got i at e di tdownt o$500, onl yt of i ndoutt hat s hi ppi ngt hebookswoul dc os tal mos t$1 00.I t $1 00.I twasc he ape rt odr i ve4 hour sonewayt oc ol l e c tt he books , s oof ft oMobi l eIwe nt .

Be i ngt he“ nai j a”gi r lt hatIam, I madet heguygi veme$50f or gas !Ipi c ke dupt hebooksi n Apr i landt hebare xam wasi n J twasar ac eagai ul y , s oi ns t t i me .

Ide c i de dt ogi vei twhati tt ook knowi ngt hatIhadt hewhol e r e s our c e sofhe ave natmydi s pos al .

Pr e par i ngf ort hebarwashar d.I l e f thomeat6: 30am e ac h mor ni ngandwasatt hel i br ar y at1 1 : 00pm.I twasdi f f i c ul t , butI s t ay e donc our s e .Myhus bandi sve r yhands on andqui c kl yt ookove rALLt hehous e hol dr e s pons i bi l i t i e s , s oIc oul df oc usonpr e par i ngf or t hee xam.Is atf ort heJ ul y201 0Al abamabar e xam, andt hankf ul l y , Ipas s e donmyf i r s tat t e mpt .Thatputs omes pr i nti nmys t e ps .Igr aduat e df r om gr ads c hooli nt hes umme rof201 1 .

Godr ol l e doutt hec ar pe tf orme , andIbe gan

1 2

t e ac hi ngataf our y e arc ol l e gei nAugus t201 1 .

I n201 3, myhus bandbe gant opr e s s ur emeaboutge t t i ngaPhD.Ir e s i s t e df orawhi l ebute ve nt ual l ygavei n.

Ir e t ookt heGREt oge tabe t t e rs c or eandappl i e dt ot hr e es c hool s .UTDal l asof f e r e dmeadmi s s i onandIr e s i gne dmyj obandt ookt hepl unget ol i veandat t e nds c hooli nDal l as .

Thec ur r i c ul um wast i ght .Ikne wIwasi nt r oubl et hemome ntIl ande di nDal l as-t hel i vi ngac c ommodat i onIhadar r ange dbe c ameunavai l abl e ; Iwasnol onge rge t t i ngt hef undi ngIappl i e df or ; myde gr e epl anwas c hange datt hel as tmi nut e ; andIwast os s e di nt oac al c ul us bas e ds t at i s t i c sc l as s .Iwant e dt obai lout , butmy hus bandr e f us e d.I twasar oughf oury e ar s , butImadei t .Notbe c aus eIwass mar t , di s c i pl i ne dorc apabl e .But f ort heoppos i t er e as on.Dal l asmademeac ut e l yawar eofmyl i mi t at i ons .Ine e de dnoc onvi nc i ngt hatt hi ngs we r eove rmyhe ad.Idi dt heonl yt hi ngIkne wt odo.Ias ke dGodf orhe l p.Is e t t l e di nc hur c hknowi ngt hat myhe l pc ome yf s nt at s i st r e .The s sonl r om aboveandGoddi dnotdi appoi .If oundmat handSt i t c ut or sf orf e e we r ef e l l owPhD s t ude nt swhowe r ec ommi t t e dt omys uc c e s s .The yt ut or e dmewe e kl yandke ptmef oc us e d onwhatmat t e r e d.Idi dnothaveal i f eout s i deofs c hoolandc hur c h.Ibur i e dmy s e l fi nmyac ade mi c s .God pl ac e dmeunde rami ni s t r yt hatc ons t ant l ys pokei nt omyl i f e .Iwe ntt oc hur c hwe e kl yhungr yf orawor df or t hewe e k.Thepul pi twasmyl i f e l i neandIgotnour i s hme ntf r om t he r e .Idi dnotge the r ebymy s e l f .Ic oul dn’ t have , andIdi dnot .Godpl ac e dmei naf ami l ywhe r eIam l ove d, s uppor t e dande nc our age d.Myhus bandhasbe e nmygr e at e s tc he e r l e ade rf oral mos t25y e ar s .

Mypas t or s , myc hur c hf ami l yi nBi r mi ngham andDal l aske ptmec ove r e d.Iam he r et odayonl y be c aus eGodmadeawayf ormede s pi t emy s e l f .Ic anc onf i de nt l ys ayt hatImadei tONLYbyHi sgr ac e ! byOmobol anl eFe nny , PhD

T heGr a ndCa n y oni sl i s t e da mongt hes e v e nwonde r sof t hena t ur a l wor l d, a ndi soneof t hemos t r e ma r k a bl eof t hes e v e n.

L oc a t e di nt hes t a t eof Ar i z ona , US A, i t i soneof t hede e pe s t gor ge sonE a r t h wi t ha na v e r a gede pt hof onemi l e( 1 .

6 k m) a nda n a v e r a gewi dt hof t e nmi l e s( 1 6 k m) .

T hec a n y onwa s c a r v e do v e r t hepa s t 6mi l l i ony e a r sbyt hea c t i onof t heCol or a doRi v e r a si t dr opso v e r 2 , 2 0 0f e e t ( 6 7 0 m) a l ongt he2 7 7 mi l e( 4 4 6k m) l e ngt hof t hegor ge .

T hec a n y oni s n' t j us t as i ngl egor ge , ho we v e r , but a l s oi nc l ude snume r ouss i dec a n y onsc r e a t e dby e r os i on.

Be c a us ema n yl a y e r sof r oc kwe r ee x pos e d dur i ngt hi spr oc e s s , t hewa l l sof t hec a n y ona r e c ount l e s ss ha de sof br o wn, y e l l o w, r e da ndgr a y .

As t hes unmo v e sa c r os st hes k yt hel i ght c ha nge s ma k i ngt hev i s t at r a ns f or m dr a ma t i c a l l yo v e r t he c our s eof t heda y .

T her oc kl e v e l sr e pr e s e nt a c r os s s e c t i onof t hege ol ogi c a l hi s t or yof t hee a r t h

wi t ht hes t o nene a r t her i v e r be i ngs o meo f t he o l de s t o nt hepl a ne t wi t ha na geo f ne a r l yt wobi l l i o ny e a r s .

Whe no nea t t e mpt st ode s c r i bet heGr a ndCa n y o n, i t i smu c hl i k et r y i ngt ode s c r i bei t sma j e s t i ca wes i nc ee v e nt hemo s t e l o qu e n t wo r dsf r o ma n yv a r i e t yo f l a ngu a ge sa r ei na de qu a t ei t ’ sv i r t u a l l yi mpo s s i bl e .

T he r ea r enowo r dse v e r wr i t t e no r o t he r wi s e s po k e nmo r ea bl et ode s c r i bet heGr a ndCa n y o n t ha nt hewo r dso f J e ho v a hGo dHi ms e l f , s ohe r ea r e j u s t af e wa sf o dde r f o r t ho u gh t …

Go dc r e a t e de v e r y t hi ngt hr o u ghhi m, a ndno t hi ng wa sc r e a t e de x c e pt t hr o u ghhi m.

J o hn1 : 3 e t t hewho l ewo r l df e a r t heL o r d, a ndl e t e v e r y o ne L s t a ndi na weo f hi m.

P s a l ms3 3 : 8

Hehol dsi nhi sha ndst hede pt hsof t he e a r t ha ndt hemi ght i e s tmount a i ns .

T hes e a be l ongst ohi m, f orhema dei t .

P s a l ms9 5 : 4 5 T hehe a v e nspr oc l a i mt hegl or yof God. T he s k i e sdi s pl a yhi sc r a f t s ma ns hi p.

P s a l ms1 9 : 1 F ore v e rs i nc et hewor l dwa sc r e a t e d, pe opl eha v es e e nt hee a r t ha nds k y .

T hr ough e v e r y t hi ngGodma de , t he yc a nc l e a r l ys e e hi si nv i s i bl equa l i t i e shi se t e r na l powe ra nd di v i nena t ur e .

S ot he ya r enoe x c us ef ornot k nowi ngGod. Roma ns1 : 2 0 L e tt hehe a v e nsbegl a d, a ndt hee a r t hr e -

S

j oi c e!

L ett hes eaandever yt hi ngi ni ts houthi s pr ai s e!

L ett he el dsandt hei rc r opsbur s toutwi t h j oy!

L ett het r eesoft hef or es ts i ngf orj oy .

Ps al ms 96: 1112 J us heani s , andt heywi l l t eac hy ou.

As k tas kt mal t hebi r dsoft hes ky , andt heywi l l t el l y ou.

Speakt o t heear t h, andi twi l l i ns t r uc ty ou.

L ett he s hi nt he s eas peakt oy ou.

F ort hel i f eofever yl i vi ngt hi ngi s i nhi shand, andt hebr eat hofever yhumanbei ng.

J ob12: 7, 8, 10.

Whoi sl i key ouamongt hegods , OL or d-gl or i ous “ i nhol i nes s , awes omei ns pl endor , per f or mi nggr eat wonder s ?Ex odus15: 11

Te c hnol ogyhasnowt ake nove rs omanyas pe c t sof ourl i ve s .Fr om homet owor k, y oue nc ount e rt e c hnol ogy .Somuc hs ot hatpr i vac yi ny ourhomei snow ac onc e r n.Don’ tge tmewr ong, t he s ear ewonde r f ul andus e f ulde vi c e st hatmake sourl i ve se as i e r .I me an, manyf ol ksc ompl ai naboutnothavi ng e nought i mei n24hour st odowhatt he yne e d, t obe i ht e hnol , i spos pr oduc t ve .Nowwi t heai doft c ogy ti s i bl et odoawhol el otmor e .

i fy ouhaveoneoft he s ede vi c e s .Thei nf or mat i on pas s e st hr ought hei nt e r ne tands t or e ds ome whe r e ( c al l e das e r ve r )t haty ouhavenoi de awhe r e .I nf ac t , i tc oul dbes t or e di nmanyl oc at i ons , i nc as et he r ei s dat al os si nonel oc at i on.So, i fy ouar eapr i vat e pe r s on, be war eoft hede vi c e sy ouus eathome . sc l oudi dbypr vat ec s ’ ms ur Thi sowne i ompani e .I e y ouhe ar doft her e c e ntEqui f axdat abr e ac h, whi c h e xpos e dt hepe r s onali nf or mat i onofmi l l i onsof pe opl e .I fy oudon’ tknow, Equi f axi soneoft het hr e e bi gc r e di tr e por t i ngbur e aus .The ys t or ef i nanc i aland pe r s onaldat aaboutt hec r e di tofe ve r yadul ti nt he c ount r y .Thati sane xampl eofhac ki ng.

Cany oui magi nehowpe opl ec ommuni c at e d50 y e ar sago?Thee as i e s ti tgotwasahomeorof f i c e t e l e phone , buty ouhadt obewhe r et hephonei sl oc at e dt ous ei t .Today , y ouc anc al lf r om vi r t ual l y any whe r et oany whe r ei nt hewor l dwi t hc e l lphone s .

I tgoe swhe r ey ougo.I nf ac t , t hec e l l phonei snowa Howaboutaf aul yde c e nt hene wsr e l t vi ?I e c nt ywas mi nic omput e rbyi t s e l f . ar e por taboutanAmaz onEc ho( t hede vi c et hatc an l i s t e nt ovoi c ec ommands )r e c or di ngpr i vat ec onve r Howabouthous ec hor e s ?Wenowhaver obot i c s at i onsi nt heowne r ’ shomeande mai l i ngi tt oa c l e ane r st ohe l pwi t ht hec hor e s .Se l f dr i vi ngve hi r andom c ont ac t .Thi si sde s pi t eAmaz on’ sas s ur anc e c l e sar enowbe i ngt e s t e d, s oy ouwi l lnol onge rs t r e s s t oc us t ome r st hatt hede vi c edoe snotr e c or dc onve r whi l edr i vi ng.Buthe r ei swhe r eI ’ m goi ngwi t ht hi s s at i ons . ar t i c l e .YouknowhowwehadSmar tTVs ?Nowwe Wor s es t i l l , t hi si sapl ay gr oundf orhac ke r swhoc an nowhave“ Smar tHome s ” . gai nc ont r olofy ourde vi c e sandc aus ehavocs uc has OK!So, whati sa“ Smar tHome ” ?Thi si sahomet hat r e mot e l ydi s abl i ngy oural ar ms y s t e mf orbur gl ar sat hasde vi c e sc onne c t e dt ot hei nt e r ne ts oy ouc anc on- t her i ghtt i mewhe nt he yknowy ouwon’ tbehome . t r olt he m vi ay ours mar t phone .Byde vi c e sIme an c of f e epot s , a/ ct he r mos t at s , s e c ur i t ys y s t e msand as tge tmewr ong.I ’ i r y ngt Pl e edon’ ms mpl yt i omake c ame r as , l i ght se t c .De vi c e st hatc anhe l pke e py our y ouawar eofhowt he s ede vi c e swor k, s oy ouc an homes af e r , vi s àvi st heabi l i t yt os e ewhat ’ sgoi ng we i ght hepr osandc onsf ory our s e l f .Ibe l i e vet he s e oni ny ourhomeany t i meany whe r e .Al s o, y ouhave de vi c e sar eve r yus e f uland, us e dappr opr i at e l y , c an vi e , s uc hast one c hathe ar sc m de c s heAmaz ho, t omi mpr ovequal i t yofl i f e .Ipe r s onal l ydon’ tdabbl ei n mandsf r om y ouande ve nl e ar nsabouty ouandy our t e c hnol ogyj us tbe c aus ei t ’ savai l abl eandIc anaf f or d be havi or alpat t e r nsathome . i t , ori t ’ sf as hi onabl e .Ihavet oj us t i f yi t sus e .Fori nanc , Idi e ountunt i 6, s t e dnothaveaFac bookac c l201 The s ede vi c e sc anhe l py ouke e pt absony ourbi l l s andt he ni twasbe c aus eIs awabus i ne s spot e nt i ali n andut i l i t i e s , byi mpr ovi nge f f i c i e nc y .Somede vi c e i t .Be f or ey ous t ar tgue s s i ng, l e tmes ayi t , y e s , I ’ mi n s e ns or sc ande t e c twat e rl e aksandhe att hathe l p mye ar l yf i f t i e s .ButI ’ l lal s ohavey ouknowt hatI ’ m avoi ddamage , dange randwas t age , t he r e byr e duc i ng t e c hs avvybe c aus eI ’ mi nt het e c hi ndus t r y .Sof t war e y ourbi l l s .I nt hef ut ur e , t he ymi ghte ve nhe l pl owe r de ve l opme ntt obee xac t .So, Idon’ tHaveaphobi a i ns ur anc epr e mi ums . f ort e c hnol ogy .Ti l ldat eIdonothaveat wi t t e rorI ns ede c e or nf or mat oni n Someoft he vi shavet os t ei i s t agr am ac c ount .Knowi nghowt e c hnol ogywor kson or de rt ol e ar nandadj us taut omat i c al l y .Al lt hi si nt hef r ontandbac ke nd, Ij us tbe l i e vet haty ouus e f or mat i oni ss t or e di nt hes oc al l e d“ Cl oud” .I fy ou t e c hnol ogy , whe ni ts e r ve saj us t i f i abl epur pos e , not don’ tknowwhatt he“ Cl oud”me ansi nt hi ss c e nar i o, t ol ookc ooloroutofbor e dom. pl e as egoogl ei t .Buts uf f i c et os ay , t hatwhathapSo, t e c hj unki e s , be war e . pe nsi ny ourhomei snol onge rke pti ny ourhome

1 7

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS M Y PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND ADVICE FOR THE BOL YOUTH

20

TheTe xasSt at ut e spr ovi det hepe r s onmaki nga Wi l lwi t ht heopt i onofaddi ngas e l f pr ovi ngaf f i davi tt ot heWi l l .As e l f pr ovi ngaf f i davi ti s s i gne dbyt hepe r s onmaki ngt heWi l landt wo wi t ne s s e sbe f or eanot ar ypubl i c .

Whe naWi l li spr obat e d, t hes e l f pr ovi ngaf f i davi ts ubs t i t ut e sf ori nc our tt e s t i monyofwi t ne s s e sast ot heval i di t yoft heWi l l , whi c hs ave sc ons i de r abl et i meande xpe ns e .

I faWi l ldoe snotme e tal lt her e qui r e me nt ss e t f or t hbyt hes t at ut e s , i twi l lbede c l ar e di nval i d, me ani ngt haty oure s t at ec oul dbedi s t r i but e d ac c or di ngt oas t at ut or yf or mul ar at he rt hant he wayy ouwoul dhavepr e f e r r e d.

Rani aCombsi s anat t or ne ywi t h ac ompl e t e l y we bbas e dl aw f i r m whohe l ps Te xanspr e par e t he i rwi l l s , t r us t s , ande epl ans s t at onl i ne .She e ar ne daBac he l or ofBus i ne s sAdmi ni s t r at i on de gr e ef r om Bay l orUni ve r s i t y , i nWac o, anda l awde gr e ef r om Sout hTe xasCol l e geofLaw, gr aduat i ngmagnac um l aude .Rani ahasbe e nl i c e ns e dt opr ac t i c el awi nTe xass i nc e1 994.

Luker ec or dedt heepi s odeofChr i s t , Zac c haeusand t hes yc amor et r eei nLuke19: 110.

Thi spi ct ur eofas yc amor et r eewast akeni nJ er i c ho andi si dent iedt her east heact ual t r eet hatZac c haeusc l i mbed; however , i ti smuc ht ooyoung.

I t c oul dbeanoffs pr i ngoft heact ual t r ee.

Thes et t i ngf orChr i s t ’ si nt er act i onwi t hZac c haeus wasJ er i c ho, l oc at ed5mi l eswes toft heJ or danRi ver andabout15mi l esnor t heas tofJ er us al em.

Her od t heGr eatbui l tanewc i t yofJ er i c hos out hoft heol d c i t y .

Pr obabl yJ es uswasent er i ngt henewc i t ywhen Zac c haeusc l i mbedupi nt oas yc amor et r eet os ee hi m.

Zac c heauswasaJ ewbutf unct i onedast hec hi eft ax c ol l ect orf ort heRomans .

I nt heRomanEmpi r e, t ax c ol l ect or swer er es pons i bl et oc ol l ectandgi ves o muc hmoneyt oRomeannual l y .Moneyc ol l ect ed beyondwhatt heyt ur nedovert oRomet heykept .

Manyt axc ol l ect or s , i nc l udi ngZac c haeus , wer euns c r upul ous ; t heybec amever yr i c hf r om over t axi ng anddef r audi ngt hepeopl ei nt hei rt axdi s t r i ct s .

J ews as s i gnedt axc ol l ect or st ot hec at egor yof “ s i nner ” al ongwi t hadul t er er s , pr os t i t ut es , r obber s , et c .Zac c heausandhi sent i r ef ami l ywer eos t r ac i z edby J ews .

Zac c haeuswasaphys i c al l ys hor tman.

Bec aus ehe want edt os eeJ es us , Zac c haeusc l i mbedi nt oas yc amor et r eebyt hes i deoft her oadwher eJ es uswas wal ki ng.

T oZac c haeus ’ s ur pr i s e, J es uss t opped bel owt hes yc amor et r eewher ehewasper c hed, l ookedup, ands t ar t edt ot al kt o Zac c haeus .

WhatJ es uss ai dwass hoc ki ngnot

onl yt oZacchaeusbutt ot hecr owdwhowaswi t h J es us .

J es ust ol dZacchaeust ocomedownf r om t he t r eei mmedi at el ybecaus ehewasgoi ngt os t ayat Zacchaeus ’ hous et hatday .

Thes t or yofZacchaeusi s t heonl yBi bl i calr ecor dofJ es usi nvi t i nghi ms el ft oan i ndi vi dual ’ shous e.Zacchaeuscl i mbeddownf r om t hes ycamor et r eeandwel comedJ es usgl adl y .

Whenmember soft hecr owds awt hatJ es uswentt o Zacchaeus ’ home, t heymut t er edaboutJ es uswant i ngt obeagues tofaknowns i nner ; however , J es us ’ conver s at i onwi t hZacchaeusbr oughtaboutar adi calchangei nZacchaeus ’ l i f e.Fol l owi ngt hei rt i me t oget her , Zacchaeusvowedt hata)hewoul dgi ve 50%ofhi spos s es s i onst ot hepoorandb)anyonehe cheat ed, hewoul dpaybackf our f ol d.Zacchaeus ’ pr omi s eofr es t i t ut i onwasmor et hant heHebr ew l awdemanded( Exodus22: 4, 7; Levi t i cus6: 5; Number s5: 7) .

Wher eZacchaeuswascont r ol l edbygr eed, hewasnowcont r ol l edbyl ove.

Chr i s t ’ sr es pons et o Zachaeus ’ conver s i onwast odecl ar et hats al vat i on camet oZacchaeusandhi shous e.

I nI sr ael ,t hesycamor et r eesymbol i zedr egener at i on.Regener at i onr ef er st osomeonewhoi sspi r i t ual l yr ebor n.Zacchaeushadaspi r i t ualr ebi r t ht hor oughhi sdi scussi onwi t h ThesycamoretreethatZacchaeuscl i mbedi ntowastheFi cussyca- J esusi nhi shome.Levi ,knownasMat t hew,wasoneof morus,al socal l edthesycamore g.Someschol arsarguethatthe Chr i st ’ sor i gi nal12apost l es.Li keZaccheaus,Leviwasat ax Fi cussycamoruswastheori gi nalgtreei ntheGardenofEden,not col l ect or( Mar k2: 14) .WhenChr i stcal l ed,Levil ef thi st ax Chr i s t ’ sor i gi na l 12a pos t l es .L i k e theFi cuscari ca.

Za c c hea us , L ev i wa sat a xc ol l ec t or t heF i c usc a r i c a .I nI s r a el , s y c a ( Ma r k2: 14) .WhenChr i s tc a l l ed, mor et r eesgr owwher eunder L ev i l ef thi st a xc ol l ec t or ’ sboot h gr oundwa t eri ss ha l l owa ndi s a ndf ol l owedChr i s t .Pos s i bl yZa c mos tpr omi nenti nt hes out her n c ha eusk newL ev i a ndwonder ed I s r a el bec a us eofc ons t r uc t i on whyhi sc ol l ea guewhoc oul d a ndr a pi ddev el opment .

Under bec omev er yr i c hc ol l ec t i ngt a x es v er yf a v or a bl ec ondi t i ons , t he woul dgi v ei tupf orChr i s t . s y c a mor et r eema ypr oduc eup t os i xc r opspery ea r .

I nBe t hl e he m, wepur c ha s e dawr a ppe dpa c k a ge of s y c a mor ef r ui ta tar oa ds i dema r k e t .

Whe nunwr a ppe d, t hes y c a mor ef r ui twe r eha r d, s a l t e d, a ndma deat a s t ys na c k .

Dr .

Ca r ol y nA. Rot hi sar et i r edpr of es s or , ha v i ngt a ughta ts ev er a l uni v er s i t i esa c r os st hec ount r y .

Herl a s tf ul l t i mepos i t i onwa sa sa Di s t i ngui s hedPr of es s ora tt heUni v er s i t yof T ex a sa tEl Pa s o.

Cur r ent l y , s hel i v esi nRoa nok e, Vi r gi ni a .Dr .

Rot hi saVi r gi ni aMa s t er Ga r denera ndaT r eeSt ewa r d.Shees pous esadeepbel i efi nGod, bel i ev i ngi nt hei ns pi r ed, wr i t t enwor dofGod.

Cl i mbi ngt heSy c a mor eT r eewa sr epr i nt edbyper mi s s i onf r om Dr .

Ca r ol y nA. Rot h.

Pos t edonOc t ober13, 2013ht t ps : / / goda s a ga r dener . c om/ 2013/ 10/ 13/ c l i mbi nga s y c a mor et r ee

Me di c at i onsar eus e dt ot r e at , pr e ve ntandr e l i e vet hes y mpt omsofdi s e as e s .The yar ec he mi c als ubs t anc e st hatac tont hebodyt oac hi e ve t hede s i r e de f f e c t sandmayal s opr oduc es i dee f f e c t sorunt owar de f f e c t s .Si dee f f e c t sar enot ne c e s s ar i l yl i f et hr e at e ni ngbutt he yc anbemi l d ors e ve r e .Al l e r gi cr e ac t i onswhi c hmayormay notbel i f et hr e at e ni ngc anal s ooc c urwi t hme di c at i onus e .

Whe t he rani ndi vi duali spr e s c r i be dame di c at i onorhe / s het ake sanove rt hec ount e rme di c at i on, i mpor t antpoi nt st oc ons i de ri nc l udehowa me di c at i onac hi e ve st hede s i r e de f f e c tandhow s af et he me di c at i oni s .

The r e f or e , i ti si mpor t antf ore ve r y onet oknow t heme di c at i onst he yt ake , whyi ti sbe i ngt ake n, howi ti st obet ake nandi t sr e c omme nde dus e .

Ones houl das khi m/ he r s e l fwhe t he rt he yhave e noughi nf or mat i ont ode t e r mi nei ft heme di c at i oni ss af et ot akeandwhe t he rt hemanne ri n whi c ht heme di c at i oni st obet ake ni smos tbe ne f i c i alt ohi m/ he r .

Knowl e dgei spowe r-I mpor t antt hi ngst oknow: 1 . As ky ourhe al t hc ar epr of e s s i onalaboutt he pos s i bl es i dee f f e c t sofy ourme di c at i ons .Thi s wi l lhe l pt ode t e r mi nei fonei se xpe r i e nc i nga s i dee f f e c tf r om ame di c at i onoranot he rs y mpt om.Fori ns t anc e , s omeme di c at i onsc aus e naus e aandbe i ngawar eoft hats i dee f f e c twi l l pr e ve ntunne c e s s ar yi nve s t i gat i onort r e at me nt ofnaus e a.

2.As kaboutme di c at i onandf oodi nt e r ac t i ons .

Notal lme di c at i onsc anbet ake nt oge t he r .Some i nc r e as ewhi l eot he r sde c r e as et hee f f e c t sof ot he r s .Someme di c at i onsar eme antt obet ake n

Mori nga( Mor i ngas pp. )i soneoft hewor l d’ s

mos tus e f ulpl ant swi t honeoft hehi ghe s tnut r i t i onalc ont e nt sofanypl antknowni nt he wor l d.I ti saf as t gr owi ng, dr ought r e s i s t ant t r e et hati snat i vet ot hes out he r nf oot hi l l sof ti sa t heHi mal ay asi nnor t hwe s t e r nI ndi a[1].I f as t gr owi ngt r e eandi sgr ownt hr oughoutt he t r opi c s .Themos twi de l yc ul t i vat e ds pe c i e si s Mor i ngaOl e i f e r a, amul t i pur pos et r e e , andus ual l yc al l e dt heMi r ac l et r e ef orgoodr e as on.

Commonname si nc l udeMor i nga, dr ums t i c k t r e e , f r om t heappe ar anc eoft hel ong, s l e nde r , t r i angul ars e e dpods , hor s e r adi s ht r e e , f r om t he t as t eoft her oot swhi c hr e s e mbl e shor s e r adi s h, be noi lt r e eorBe nz oi lt r e e , f r om t heoi lde r i ve d f r om t hes e e ds .Us e df orhumanf ood, l i ve s t oc k f or age , me di c i ne , dy e , andwat e rpur i f i c at i on.

Mor i ngaol e i f e r at r e ehasbe e nc al l e dt het r e eof l i f ei nmanyc ul t ur e sar oundt hewor l d, i nc l udi ngNi ge r i a.I thasvar i ousl oc alname si nNi ge r i a; i t sname si nc l ude“ EweI gbal e ”i nYor uba,

Congregation 2018 Edition

GREAT

EXPECTATIONS

2018