Mercy Triumphs

Though the summer slows down for some students- most are still taking classes at school, working or away from home and their "normal" life. Senior, Renee Johnson, has been living on campus and taking classes while attending the CSF Women's Summer Bible Study (along with 12 others). The study, "Mercy Triumphs" by Beth Moore (on the book of James) has been a great platform to dive into deep issues of law and grace. Each girl has homework throughout the week- then they come back to discuss it with one another. At the end, Moore teaches on certain texts, and then we pray for needs and give praise for the joys. Of course, there is usually some form of chocolate. It wouldn't be a women's bible study without it, right? The study has been very convicting and as you can see from Renee's statement below, very powerful in her walk with God and with others.

I've never studied a book of the bible completely through, let alone in this sort of depth. I'm not sure I would have committed to participating if I had known it was going to be so convicting, almost painfully so, but never in my life have I felt such a warm, penetrating touch of God in my life. It wasn't until the fourth chapter and over a month of study that I decided that I actually wanted to follow through on what God was nudging me to improve upon in my life. It hasn't been easy, because, if you have ever read James, you know that everything he addresses sets us Christians at the antithesis of this world. I have just started down this path of "perfecting my faith" and I know it's no short road or smooth path, but the glorious and gracious promise of righteousness, wisdom, love and friendship with my creator and Savior supplies motivation and desire to keep moving forward. My continual prayer in this journey will be to shine brighter and brighter for my Jesus.

We thank our God who allows us to serve on this campus and to offer studies that will speak to the students, even in their hectic schedules. Its stories like this that get us even MORE pumped up for the coming school year and the transformational power of our Creator.

Renee (left) with friend and fellow CSFer Allison