Comments on: Essay Contest and College Guides http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/ reb•e•lu•tion (reb’el lu shen) n. a teenage rebellion against low expectations Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:29:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Betsy http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-143828 Betsy Sat, 03 Nov 2007 05:46:33 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-143828 After I graduated from homeschool high school, I had a good job and solid work experience that would help me continue in that field. But, I also began to realize that there were many things that I wanted to learn that I simply couldn't learn while working or staying at home. I also realized that as a single young woman with relatively few obligations, if I wanted to go to college, now was the time! I attended a wonderful, non-christian, conservative liberal arts school thousands of miles from my home. The experience I had there - sitting and learning from people who are experts in their field - was simply wonderful, and opened my eyes to many aspects of the world that I'd never considered, or even knew existed. Here are a few thoughts: 1) I attended a college with professors whose worldview was generally similar to mine. Though my school is not "Christian," most of my professors were. This was very important to me, as I wanted to be able to trust what they were saying. In fact, several of my professors have published books through ISI. 2) I chose a small school with a very low student to faculty ratio (more like homeschooling!) The professors were invaluable, but I also learned much from my fellow students as we wrestled with hard questions and hard midterm exams together. We had a camaraderie that would have been very difficult to create in online classes. 3) As a young woman, I stayed under my parent's authority even though I was thousands of miles from home. My parents are huge fans of the education I received at my college, and encouraged me to attend. I don't believe you need to be in the same physical location as your dad to be under his authority. God has called many women out of their homes and comfort zones to follow and serve him (Amy Carmichael, Elizabeth Elliot, Mary Slessor, Mother Teresa, Gladys Aylward, and many, many others). 4) Being at school forced me to make decisions for myself. What kind of church to go to? Was I going to go to church? What kind of friends should I make? My faith was strengthened as I wrestled with these decisions far from familiar circumstances. 5) Now, two years after graduation, happily returned to my parents home, I can wholeheartedly say that my life is richer than before I went to college. I also believe that should I have children someday, I will be able to offer them a sound education because of the knowledge I gained. I know this was long, but I hope that it will encourage you, and give you a few things to consider. In his perfect time and plan, God provided me with a wonderful (debt free!) education and I'm grateful that I was able to attend and graduate from college. After I graduated from homeschool high school, I had a good job and solid work experience that would help me continue in that field. But, I also began to realize that there were many things that I wanted to learn that I simply couldn’t learn while working or staying at home. I also realized that as a single young woman with relatively few obligations, if I wanted to go to college, now was the time! I attended a wonderful, non-christian, conservative liberal arts school thousands of miles from my home. The experience I had there - sitting and learning from people who are experts in their field - was simply wonderful, and opened my eyes to many aspects of the world that I’d never considered, or even knew existed.
Here are a few thoughts:
1) I attended a college with professors whose worldview was generally similar to mine. Though my school is not “Christian,” most of my professors were. This was very important to me, as I wanted to be able to trust what they were saying. In fact, several of my professors have published books through ISI.
2) I chose a small school with a very low student to faculty ratio (more like homeschooling!) The professors were invaluable, but I also learned much from my fellow students as we wrestled with hard questions and hard midterm exams together. We had a camaraderie that would have been very difficult to create in online classes.
3) As a young woman, I stayed under my parent’s authority even though I was thousands of miles from home. My parents are huge fans of the education I received at my college, and encouraged me to attend. I don’t believe you need to be in the same physical location as your dad to be under his authority. God has called many women out of their homes and comfort zones to follow and serve him (Amy Carmichael, Elizabeth Elliot, Mary Slessor, Mother Teresa, Gladys Aylward, and many, many others).
4) Being at school forced me to make decisions for myself. What kind of church to go to? Was I going to go to church? What kind of friends should I make? My faith was strengthened as I wrestled with these decisions far from familiar circumstances.
5) Now, two years after graduation, happily returned to my parents home, I can wholeheartedly say that my life is richer than before I went to college. I also believe that should I have children someday, I will be able to offer them a sound education because of the knowledge I gained.
I know this was long, but I hope that it will encourage you, and give you a few things to consider. In his perfect time and plan, God provided me with a wonderful (debt free!) education and I’m grateful that I was able to attend and graduate from college.

]]> By: Alyssa M. http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-142284 Alyssa M. Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:34:00 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-142284 I do believe that college is for some people. God has a plan for each and everyone of us. He has put a great calling on my life, and college is apart of it. I do not believe in putting down other people's point of views. Mariah (the one who left one of the comments up top) is my best friend, i have known her my whole life, we do not have all of the same beliefs, yet we get alone better than most people. I think that not going to college is fine, my mom and dad have never been to college, but they want me too! It all depends on what God has called you to do! Not going to college is not wrong. I hope that my point gets across. Blessings I do believe that college is for some people. God has a plan for each and everyone of us. He has put a great calling on my life, and college is apart of it.
I do not believe in putting down other people’s point of views. Mariah (the one who left one of the comments up top) is my best friend, i have known her my whole life, we do not have all of the same beliefs, yet we get alone better than most people. I think that not going to college is fine, my mom and dad have never been to college, but they want me too! It all depends on what God has called you to do! Not going to college is not wrong.
I hope that my point gets across.
Blessings

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-141045 Rebecca Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:23:29 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-141045 Penny, I have been watching the debate between you and Mariah and, to be honest, I'm a little concerned with a couple of things you've said. You seem to think you cannot interfere with God's plan for your life. I guess you have the belief that whatever ultimately happens in your life must have all been in God's will. I'm afraid that many people have the same opinion, but it's wrong. There is no question of God's omnipotence, but He did endow us with a free will. It's not God's will for us to commit acts of sin, but we do it everyday. Sometimes thoughtlessly, sometimes deliberately. We should be very careful when we choose to do something and then declare that it is God's will for our lives, just because He allowed us to do it. This can also apply to Lydia D. who said that if God didn't want us to do something He would take away our desire to do it. It's quite probable that He just wants you to submit your own desires to His will. If you have any other question as to God's omnipotence and our ability to interfere with His will for us, it can all be settled by reading II Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." Here we learn that it's not in His will that any should go to Hell, but, as we all know, many will, and do everyday. God is all powerful and all knowing. But could it be that what He knows about you, or me for that matter, is that we won't submit to His will? For that reason I'm glad He is longsuffering, but we really shouldn't be abusing His mercy. Society has done it's level best to tell us that college is "necessary". Corporate America has done it's best to ensure that college is "necessary". But does God really think college is necessary? What is it that God wants of us? I know one thing He does not want for us. He does not want us getting all bound up with things of this world, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." I John 2:15. College is a very worldly environment. We need to tread carefully. We need to seek God's will for our life. And we should not assume that everything we do must have somehow been a part of God's will for our lives. -Rebecca Penny,

I have been watching the debate between you and Mariah and, to be honest, I’m a little concerned with a couple of things you’ve said. You seem to think you cannot interfere with God’s plan for your life. I guess you have the belief that whatever ultimately happens in your life must have all been in God’s will. I’m afraid that many people have the same opinion, but it’s wrong.

There is no question of God’s omnipotence, but He did endow us with a free will. It’s not God’s will for us to commit acts of sin, but we do it everyday. Sometimes thoughtlessly, sometimes deliberately. We should be very careful when we choose to do something and then declare that it is God’s will for our lives, just because He allowed us to do it. This can also apply to Lydia D. who said that if God didn’t want us to do something He would take away our desire to do it. It’s quite probable that He just wants you to submit your own desires to His will. If you have any other question as to God’s omnipotence and our ability to interfere with His will for us, it can all be settled by reading II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Here we learn that it’s not in His will that any should go to Hell, but, as we all know, many will, and do everyday.

God is all powerful and all knowing. But could it be that what He knows about you, or me for that matter, is that we won’t submit to His will? For that reason I’m glad He is longsuffering, but we really shouldn’t be abusing His mercy.

Society has done it’s level best to tell us that college is “necessary”. Corporate America has done it’s best to ensure that college is “necessary”. But does God really think college is necessary? What is it that God wants of us? I know one thing He does not want for us. He does not want us getting all bound up with things of this world, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” I John 2:15. College is a very worldly environment. We need to tread carefully. We need to seek God’s will for our life. And we should not assume that everything we do must have somehow been a part of God’s will for our lives.

-Rebecca

]]> By: Carlin N. http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140630 Carlin N. Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:21:54 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140630 Amanda H. - yes, I do believe attending college is a calling for those who have truly sorted it out as God's will. It is a new mission field, a place where God has placed you to minister, an atmosphere where he desires his light to shine through you. Quite simply, a calling is something God is asking you to do - and I believe that could be either staying home or attending college. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to go to college at all until only about 2 years ago. I still may not go if the Lord closes a door. But I do believe I have experienced God calling me to minister in a small Christian college that's a 16 hr. drive from my home. I believe there are certain situations wherein God will call a young woman to leave her father's protection and live a single life of service. Look at Amy Carmichael! What if she had ignored God's call on her life and refused to leave home? I have been reading her biography... what an amazing woman of God! I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts... a lot to chew on! Blessings to you all, Carlin N. Amanda H. - yes, I do believe attending college is a calling for those who have truly sorted it out as God’s will. It is a new mission field, a place where God has placed you to minister, an atmosphere where he desires his light to shine through you. Quite simply, a calling is something God is asking you to do - and I believe that could be either staying home or attending college.

To tell you the truth, I didn’t want to go to college at all until only about 2 years ago. I still may not go if the Lord closes a door. But I do believe I have experienced God calling me to minister in a small Christian college that’s a 16 hr. drive from my home. I believe there are certain situations wherein God will call a young woman to leave her father’s protection and live a single life of service. Look at Amy Carmichael! What if she had ignored God’s call on her life and refused to leave home? I have been reading her biography… what an amazing woman of God!

I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s posts… a lot to chew on!

Blessings to you all,

Carlin N.

]]> By: Lydia D. http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140562 Lydia D. Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:38:32 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140562 Thank you Amanda for asking those questions. A couple of them are ones that I'm still working on answering. I was pretty much convinced I would go to college, but after starting to discuss this with you, I am not so sure. I'm now really trying to seek God's will on this, and thankfully I have a few years to answer that question. So far I am still leaning towards going to college. To answer your question about the benifits of college. Besides learning the basic teaching skills, you can also start to become independent from your parents. You will still want to stay in contact with them, and not be completely independent, because you still want your father's protection, but sometimes it is good to have a bit of distance so you can start making your own decisions. If you start having problems then you can very easily contact them considering all the technology we have today. I wouldn't suggest moving to California if your parents are in Florida, but do you see my point? Your very correct in saying that separating personal desire from God's will is very difficult, but sometimes that is God's way of saying that you should go. Now I'm not saying if you get the feeling to do something, that you should just do it. What I mean is that if you really want to go, but you think that God is saying no, then He will take the desire away. Anyone else considering going to college should definitly ask themselves these questions before making a permanent decision about college. Here they are: 1) What are the benifits of going to college? 2) Is college a personal desire, because of the adventure and excitement, and going with the flow? 3) Have you personally and seriously studied God’s Word accompanied by earnest prayer and then come upon the conclusion that God has called you to college? Thank you Amanda for these thought-provoking questions. I hope to be able to answer them truthfully, and come upon a decision that honors God. P.S. I'm still trying to get those books you recommended. Thank you Amanda for asking those questions. A couple of them are ones that I’m still working on answering. I was pretty much convinced I would go to college, but after starting to discuss this with you, I am not so sure. I’m now really trying to seek God’s will on this, and thankfully I have a few years to answer that question. So far I am still leaning towards going to college.

To answer your question about the benifits of college. Besides learning the basic teaching skills, you can also start to become independent from your parents. You will still want to stay in contact with them, and not be completely independent, because you still want your father’s protection, but sometimes it is good to have a bit of distance so you can start making your own decisions. If you start having problems then you can very easily contact them considering all the technology we have today. I wouldn’t suggest moving to California if your parents are in Florida, but do you see my point?

Your very correct in saying that separating personal desire from God’s will is very difficult, but sometimes that is God’s way of saying that you should go. Now I’m not saying if you get the feeling to do something, that you should just do it. What I mean is that if you really want to go, but you think that God is saying no, then He will take the desire away.

Anyone else considering going to college should definitly ask themselves these questions before making a permanent decision about college. Here they are:

1) What are the benifits of going to college?

2) Is college a personal desire, because of the adventure and excitement, and going with the flow?

3) Have you personally and seriously studied God’s Word accompanied by earnest prayer and then come upon the conclusion that God has called you to college?

Thank you Amanda for these thought-provoking questions. I hope to be able to answer them truthfully, and come upon a decision that honors God.

P.S. I’m still trying to get those books you recommended.

]]> By: Shaun Connell http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140424 Shaun Connell Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:33:51 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140424 Ah, yes, college choices are a complicated and interesting issue. Great resources -- I'll try them out. I'm in agreement that college is a calling. Not all need a degree nor the specific experience that college gives. The Lord has His plan for each of us. Ah, yes, college choices are a complicated and interesting issue. Great resources — I’ll try them out.
I’m in agreement that college is a calling. Not all need a degree nor the specific experience that college gives. The Lord has His plan for each of us.

]]> By: Megan M http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140377 Megan M Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:52:07 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140377 Everyone has brought up such excellent points! It is good to seek the Lord's wisdom and the councel of other Christians! :) I think college can be very helpful to some, thought I agree it is not God's plan for everyone. I am a sophmore at a university one mile from my house. It is a very liberal college, which is difficult sometimes, but I am able to live at home under my father and still be involved at my church. Also, my church is invovled in campus ministry with international students which is a great opportunity! If I did not have those things, I probably would not be in college right now. The reason I wanted to go is that God has given me a love of learning and a gifting in math which I want to further develop to use to serve homeschooling moms who struggle in math as well as homeschooing my own children. For me, college is a gift from God. It is amazing how many things I have learned in the past year being in a non-Christian and sometimes anti-Christian environment and going home to discuss it with my parents. I am certainly learning more than just achedemics! God bless you all as you work through the decisions about college and God's will! Everyone has brought up such excellent points! It is good to seek the Lord’s wisdom and the councel of other Christians! :)

I think college can be very helpful to some, thought I agree it is not God’s plan for everyone. I am a sophmore at a university one mile from my house. It is a very liberal college, which is difficult sometimes, but I am able to live at home under my father and still be involved at my church. Also, my church is invovled in campus ministry with international students which is a great opportunity! If I did not have those things, I probably would not be in college right now. The reason I wanted to go is that God has given me a love of learning and a gifting in math which I want to further develop to use to serve homeschooling moms who struggle in math as well as homeschooing my own children. For me, college is a gift from God. It is amazing how many things I have learned in the past year being in a non-Christian and sometimes anti-Christian environment and going home to discuss it with my parents. I am certainly learning more than just achedemics!

God bless you all as you work through the decisions about college and God’s will!

]]> By: Amanda Howell http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140323 Amanda Howell Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:50:27 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140323 I'm back:) I haven't been able to spend enough time on the computer to respond. Lydia D., I would love to have the ability to homeschool my children (if I have any), but I don't think that I need to attend college to do that. True, teachers manuals might not have all the answers, but neither will the professors manuals in college. Other than learning basic teaching skills, how do you think college will, if at all, benefit you? Is college a personal desire, because of the adventure and excitement, and going with the flow? Or have you personally and seriously studied God's Word accompanied by earnest prayer and then come upon the conclusion that God has called you to college? I am learning to seperate personal desire from God's will, something that can be very difficult at times. I wish I could say more, but I need to go. God Bless, Amanda I’m back:) I haven’t been able to spend enough time on the computer to respond.

Lydia D.,
I would love to have the ability to homeschool my children (if I have any), but I don’t think that I need to attend college to do that. True, teachers manuals might not have all the answers, but neither will the professors manuals in college. Other than learning basic teaching skills, how do you think college will, if at all, benefit you?

Is college a personal desire, because of the adventure and excitement, and going with the flow? Or have you personally and seriously studied God’s Word accompanied by earnest prayer and then come upon the conclusion that God has called you to college?

I am learning to seperate personal desire from God’s will, something that can be very difficult at times.

I wish I could say more, but I need to go. God Bless,
Amanda

]]> By: Becky W. http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140309 Becky W. Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:08:05 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140309 My sister goes to Arizona State University (a very large public college with many educational offerings, research opportunities, and the other advantages of a large 4-year university) and commutes from home . . . best of both worlds, no? My sister goes to Arizona State University (a very large public college with many educational offerings, research opportunities, and the other advantages of a large 4-year university) and commutes from home . . . best of both worlds, no?

]]> By: Marie http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140306 Marie Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:03:23 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/10/essay-contest-and-college-guides/#comment-140306 I would like to add that besides going to a college and moving away, which may be less desirable for a young lady, there are plenty of other opportunities to further one's education, such as getting a degree online or attending a nearby community college. I would like to add that besides going to a college and moving away, which may be less desirable for a young lady, there are plenty of other opportunities to further one’s education, such as getting a degree online or attending a nearby community college.

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